WO2024046729A1

WO2024046729A1 - Composite pane with an integrated functional element

Info

Publication number: WO2024046729A1
Application number: PCT/EP2023/072073
Authority: WO
Inventors: Varun RAMESH KUMAR; Valentin SCHULZ; Stefan Hertel
Original assignee: Saint-Gobain Glass France
Priority date: 2022-08-31
Filing date: 2023-08-09
Publication date: 2024-03-07

Abstract

The invention relates to a composite pane (1), in particular for a vehicle, comprising an outer pane (2) with an outer face I and an inner face II and comprising an inner pane (3) with an outer face III and an inner face IV which are connected together via a thermoplastic intermediate layer (4). The composite pane (1) is equipped with at least one electric functional element (10) that is or comprises at least one in-mold electronic (IME) component (7b) and/or has at least one film with at least one functional surface on which at least one functional layer with at least one electric component is arranged, at least one electric module (7) being formed on the functional surface and/or a decorative layer being formed on the film, wherein the electric module (7) or the IME component (7b) is at least partly arranged in a recess or opening prefabricated for same or in a cut-back section of the inner pane (3) and/or the intermediate layer (4). The invention additionally relates to a method for producing the composite pane (1) and to the use thereof.

Description

COMPOSITE DISC WITH INTEGRATED FUNCTIONAL ELEMENT

The invention relates to a composite pane with an integrated electrical functional element, as well as a method for producing such a composite pane and its use.

A variety of discs are used in the field of vehicle technology. There is an increasing desire to integrate different functions into the windows. For example, attempts are increasingly being made to use electrical functional elements, for example sensors, for example rain sensors, lighting sensors, distance sensors, etc. or control elements, such as touch switches, proximity switches, lighting and display elements or other functional elements, for example for driving assistance systems and/or for purposes of the infotainment into the windows. Limiting factors here are, for example, the space required by the functional elements and components, as well as previously often complex manufacturing processes or the less aesthetic appearance of the resulting panes.

A variety of functional glazing is already used in buildings and/or vehicles. DE 19927683 C1 discloses a composite glass pane made of at least two glass panes and a transparent composite layer connecting them and with a sun protection layer that essentially reflects rays outside the visible spectrum of solar radiation, in particular infrared rays. The laminated glass pane is provided on its surface facing an interior with a further, transparent, essentially heat-reflecting coating (low-E layer) that is spatially separated from the sun protection layer.

Windshields are also known in which a sun visor is integrated in the form of a functional element with electrically controllable optical properties, in particular with electrically controllable transmission or scattering behavior. This allows the driver to control the transmission behavior of the windshield against solar radiation, making the conventional mechanical sun visor unnecessary.

Electrically adjustable sun visors are also used in glass roofs of motor vehicles. Particularly with large-area panoramic glass panes, there is a need to variably control the transmission of the pane. Depending on the position of the sun, it is only necessary to dim partial areas of the window, or to make the entire area non-transparent to protect the view in the parked vehicle. Such an electrically switchable functional element for realizing adjustable sun visors is a so-called PDLC functional element (polymer dispersed liquid crystal). The active layer contains liquid crystals which are embedded in a polymer matrix. If no voltage is applied, the liquid crystals are aligned disorderly, which leads to strong scattering of the light passing through the active layer. If a voltage is applied to the surface electrodes, the liquid crystals align in a common direction and the transmission of light through the active layer is increased. The PDLC functional element works less by reducing the overall transmission, but rather by increasing the scattering to ensure glare protection.

Windshields with electrically adjustable sun visors are known, for example, from DE 102013001334 A1, DE 102005049081 B3, DE 102005007427 A1 and DE 102007027296 A1. DE 102010021563A1 describes a windshield with an electrically controllable sun visor, which can be switched in some areas, with the darkening of the individual elements being controllable via a capacitive sensor arrangement in the edge area of the sun visor.

The electrical contacting of electrically controllable functional elements usually takes place via bus bars (also referred to as “bus bars”), which are applied to the surface electrodes in the edge area of the functional element and contact them in an electrically conductive manner. By connecting the busbars to an external voltage source, for example via flat conductors attached to the busbars, a voltage is applied to the surface electrodes and the active layer of the functional element is switched.

US 8 519 362 B2 describes a HUD system that is installed in a car. It is based on a laminated windshield, where the HUD function comes from a layer of luminophore material. US 7 230 767 B2 describes a display system in a car window that uses a light-emitting material that projects the image to the driver. The image is a virtual image that is focused meters away from the driver's eyes and away from the windshield.

WO 2020/143996 A1 discloses a device and a method for displaying a digital image on a geometric and photometric non-trivial surface. In particular, the document discloses projecting an image onto a windshield comprising composite glazing with a switchable liquid crystal layer.

A manufacturing process for a HUD system integrated into a laminated glass pane is described in EP 2 883 693. WO 2017/157626 A1 discloses a windshield with a functional element with electrically controllable optical properties.

In WO 2018/215106 A1 a laminated glass pane is disclosed having a first glass layer and a second glass layer, with at least a first electrically conductive structure and a second electrically conductive structure arranged between the first glass layer and the second glass layer are, wherein the first electrically conductive structure and the second electrically conductive structure are arranged spaced apart from one another, wherein the first electrically conductive structure at least partially overlaps the second electrically conductive structure in a perpendicular orientation with respect to the first glass layer, the first electrically conductive structure is assigned to a first electrical element, wherein the first electrical element is a capacitive sensor.

WO 2022/152511 A1 describes a glazing with an operating device attached to the outside, the operating device having at least one operating element which is arranged on the operating side, the operating device being arranged on the outside of the pane of the glazing with a fastening side facing away from the operating side. The operating device includes one or more electronic components and an energy supply device. The operating device further comprises a thermally formed film with a decorative side and an underside opposite the decorative side. The decorative side represents the operating side of the operating device. A functional layer with at least one electronic component is printed on the underside of the thermally formed film. A body is arranged on the underside of the film and/or the functional layer, which is non-detachably connected to the film and/or the functional layer, for example via a connection produced by injection molding. The operating device is preferably an in-mold operating device, which is manufactured in a so-called in-mold electronics (IME) process. This IM E production process is already used in a variety of ways in industrial and automotive electronics.

US 2019/134954 A1 discloses luminous signal glazing as well as a vehicle with such glazing and the production of such glazing.

US 2019/291388 A1 discloses vehicle glazing with a light display.

In WO 2018/122770 A1 a laminated automotive glazing is disclosed with a darkening area which is created by printing the darkening on a between at least Two layers of plastic interlayers laminated film or directly onto the interlayer instead of printing and baking an enamel frit onto the glass.

In WO 2022/268691 A1 a composite pane with a functional film with an opaque print is disclosed, the functional film being, for example, a HUD film, a display film, an optical multilayer film, a film with a coating that reflects infrared radiation or a functional film with electrically switchable optical properties can.

The object of the present invention is to provide an improved composite pane with at least one electrical functional element, the electrical functional element being integrated into the composite pane and, in addition to providing one or more functionalities, at the same time an attractive, even and aesthetic appearance of the composite pane is made possible. The composite pane with the integrated functional element should be simple and cost-effective to produce, even in industrial series production.

The object of the invention is achieved with regard to the composite pane and with regard to the method with the features of the independent claims. Useful configurations result from the respective subclaims.

According to the invention, a composite pane, in particular for a vehicle, is provided with an outer pane with an outside I and an inside II and an inner pane with an outside III and an inside IV, which are connected to one another via a thermoplastic intermediate layer, with at least one in the composite pane electrical functional element is integrated, which

• has at least one film with at least one functional surface, on which at least one functional layer with at least one electrical component is arranged, at least one electrical module being formed on the functional surface and/or a decorative layer being formed on the film and/or which

• is or comprises at least one in-mold electronics (IME) component, wherein the electrical module and/or the IME component is at least partially arranged in a prefabricated recess, recess or in a cut-back of the inner pane and/or the intermediate layer . An integrated functional element is understood to mean at least one electrical functional element, which is introduced and laminated into the composite pane in such a way that it is either completely embedded between the outer pane and the inner pane, preferably between the inner pane and the intermediate layer, or the electrical functional element is at least essentially flush and flat is formed and arranged with the inside IV of the inner pane.

According to the invention, it is possible to provide a large number of functions, integrated into the composite pane, with optimized installation space and at the same time to maintain an attractive, aesthetic appearance of the composite pane. An electrical functional element according to the invention is expediently connected to a power supply device.

The composite pane is preferably used as a vehicle pane for separating a vehicle interior from an external environment. The composite pane can be used in a variety of ways. It can be, for example, a roof pane, a windshield, a rear window, a side window or another composite pane that delimits the vehicle interior.

The composite pane is preferably bent in one or more directions of space, as is common for motor vehicle windows, with typical radii of curvature in the range from approximately 10 cm to approximately 40 m. The composite pane can also be flat, for example if it is intended as a pane for buses, trains or tractors. The composite pane is produced by lamination, for example using vacuum bag processes, vacuum ring processes, calender processes, vacuum laminators, autoclave processes or combinations thereof. The outer pane and inner pane are usually connected under the influence of heat, vacuum and/or pressure. The so-called autoclave process is carried out, for example, at an increased pressure of around 10 bar to 15 bar and temperatures of 130 ° C to 145 ° C for around 2 hours.

For the purposes of the invention, the term outside refers to the main surface which is intended to face the external environment in the installed position. For the purposes of the invention, the inside refers to the main surface which is intended to face the interior in the installed position. The outside can also be referred to as the outside surface. The inside can also be referred to as the interior surface. In one embodiment, the electrical functional element can be designed as a film which has at least one functional surface with a functional layer with at least one electrical component and a decorative layer. The film is preferably a polyester or polycarbonate film. Functional surface means that a functional layer with electronics is applied to a surface side of the film and the electronics includes at least one electronic component. The film is also referred to below as a functional film. The electrical component of the functional layer can, for example, be part of a control element. For the purposes of this invention, an operating element is to be understood as meaning an area of the operating surface, in particular a film surface, with an associated component, which carries out a switching function by pressing (touching) or pressing and a sliding movement. Such controls are known per se.

The electrical functional element can be designed in one embodiment, for example as an operating device with one or more operating elements and possibly further components, for example with lighting means.

The functional layer can, for example, be applied to the functional surface of the film in a printing process or can be another film which is connected to the functional surface of the film thermally or by means of an adhesive layer. It is also possible for the functional film to be provided with a functional layer on both sides.

A decorative layer is understood to mean that at least a portion of the film, on the functional surface or on the surface of the film opposite the functional surface, is provided with a decorative or functional decoration, for example with color, graphics, text, symbols or patterns. This can be done simultaneously or subsequently to the generation, for example printing, of the electrical components. For example, graphics and conductor tracks can be screen printed with functional inks onto thin polyester or polycarbonate films. Furthermore, it is possible to apply desired or required decorative elements to a carrier film using screen or digital printing and to connect this decorative film flatly to the functional film before or during lamination to form the composite pane. An analogous procedure is known in the field of in-mold decoration of integrated electronic components, although according to the invention the shaping and back-injection of the films to produce a body is replaced by the lamination process to form a composite pane. With regard to a design of the electrical functional element as an integrated one In this way, the operating device can be created and provided simply and cost-effectively, a visual and intuitive user interface, for example with touch buttons (touch switches) or sliders (slide switches). It is accordingly provided that the decorative layer is applied essentially on the side facing a viewer and possibly potential operator (operating side) and is arranged in the composite pane, for example in the direction of a vehicle interior.

Alternatively or in addition to a decorative layer, an electrical module, in particular an electrical 3D component, is arranged on the functional surface. This is at least partially arranged in a prefabricated recess, cutout or in a cut-back of the inner pane and/or the intermediate layer.

A recess is here understood to mean a cavity in the inner pane or the intermediate layer, which is provided and designed to accommodate the electrical module as flush as possible, in particular to compensate for the height of the electrical module. In this way, on the one hand, secure storage and fastening can be achieved and the inner pane forms the surface facing the interior, so that the electrical module and also the entire electrical functional element is protected from environmental influences. On the other hand, the recess at least partially compensates for the height of the module and prevents breakage of the composite pane, in particular the inner pane, during the lamination process.

A recess is understood to mean an opening through the inner pane and/or intermediate layer, for example a through hole through the inner pane, which is provided before use in the manufacturing process. The opening is intended to accommodate the electrical module or the IME as flush as possible. In one embodiment, the electrical module or the IME component can then form a surface, for example a user interface, to the interior, in particular to the vehicle interior. If necessary, it is also possible to remove and provide connecting elements from the inner pane of the composite pane. Alternatively, it is also possible that the electrical module does not fill the recess in the room height up to the inside of the inner pane. The recess can then, if necessary, be filled with the inside of the inner pane and sealed in a gas-tight manner after the lamination process, for example with a transparent plastic to form a flush, flat surface. This protects the electrical module from external influences become. For example, an opening to the interior can also be closed by means of a subsequent and possibly spatially and/or temporally limited lamination in the composite pane. A PVB film used can, for example, have a thickness of 50 pm to 0.38 mm. Alternatively, a transparent plastic could be used to close the opening.

A cutback is understood to be a sectional or regional lateral offset of the inner pane and/or the intermediate layer from the dimensions of the corresponding edge of the outer pane. Such a pruning can be created, for example, by cutting or in another common way. Here too, the dimensions are expediently tailored to the respective space requirements of the electrical module or an IME component, so that secure storage and fastening, as well as a visually appealing appearance, can be achieved in the lamination process.

Alternatively or additionally, the electrical functional element is or comprises an in-mold electronic (IME) component, which, as previously described, is at least partially inserted into an adapted, prefabricated recess, recess or in a cutback of the inner pane and / or the Intermediate layer is arranged. The invention describes for the first time the integration of IME components into a composite pane. The IME component can advantageously be integrated into the composite pane in the usual lamination process, i.e. inserted and attached. A further process step for insertion or attachment to the composite pane as a separate, functional component is advantageously not required.

IME is a fundamentally well-known technology that is now widely used in industrial and automotive electronics for the production of electronic devices and components. With the advent of more stretchable materials and more conductive inks that can withstand casting at high temperatures, rigid circuit boards could be dispensed with and traces could be deposited directly onto plastic surfaces of electronic devices. This makes it possible to produce flexible film circuit boards and 3D structural electronics, for example with resistors, integrated circuits, sensors, antennas and LEDs, which can take on the curved shapes of, for example, the housings of a wide variety of devices. The optimal adaptation to the design of the composite pane according to the invention, for example adapted to the curvature of the panes common in the vehicle sector, as well as a wide variety of design specifications and wishes, is easily possible when providing and integrating an IME component. Components of such integrated electronics can, for example, be electrical Circuits, such as flexible circuit boards and wiring, lighting, controls, such as printed capacitive touch controls, as well as sensors of all kinds, such as ultrasonic radar, IR, inductive and capacitive sensors, such as ambient light, shock, stress, proximity sensors. and acceleration sensors, antennas and integrated circuits. According to the invention, an attractive design and integrated, diverse functionality of the composite panes can advantageously be provided in a wide variety, optimized. By reducing multiple parts and moving components, the risk of failures as well as manufacturing and assembly costs and, if necessary, downstream maintenance costs are reduced. The integration of customized IM E components and the electronics embedded in them can not only be aesthetically pleasing, they are also functional and particularly reliable. According to the invention, a composite pane can therefore be provided in which, for example, a compact operating device is integrated and the operating device meets demanding design specifications in terms of placement, accessibility and functionality. In particular, it is possible to integrate human-machine interfaces (HMI), for example with gesture control, touch switch/touch control, as well as ambient or reading lighting, designs for shy-tech displays into the composite pane. In a less preferred embodiment, an IME component can also be positioned in a recess or in a lateral cutback of the composite pane after the lamination process and attached, for example, with an acrylate adhesive.

The integrated IME component can, for example, include a touch control and a user interface. Capacitive touch control is already used in many well-known IME applications. This interface replaces pressing a physical button with the touch of a finger. The conductor tracks on the board are located below the point of contact and monitor the change in the electrostatic field. When you touch the capacitive plate, for example the inside of the inner pane, or the user interface of the integrated IME component itself in the composite pane, a small charge is drawn to the point of contact - our finger acts as a functional capacitor. In vehicles, such interfaces are used, for example, to switch on the headlights, the power supply or to adjust the volume.

In one embodiment, the electrical functional element is designed and/or connected to conductor tracks, electrical circuits, operating elements, sensors, antennas and/or integrated circuits, lighting devices. In another embodiment, a surface-mounted electrical component (SMD), preferably selected from the group of LED, OLED, diode, integrated circuit, resistor, capacitor, is arranged on the functional surface of the electrical functional element as an electrical module. Particularly preferred is the surface-mounted electrical component (SMD) selected from the group of integrated circuit, resistor, capacitor.

In a further embodiment, the electrical module is a system-in-package (SIP) chip or a system-on-chip (SoC). System in Package (SiP) refers to semiconductor circuits that combine various chips in a package to form a complete electronic system. With such a SiP package, all functions that are normally carried out by individual chips are brought together in a single chip. Since there are already chips for most of the functionalities, these are combined in one package with SiP technology. These can be, for example, analog and digital functions, such as those of comparators or amplifiers, logic circuits or memory units, input/output systems (I/O) and digital signal processing (DSP). In a system-in-package, all individual chips are stacked on top of each other to form a package. These three-dimensional chips (3D ICs) result in significant space savings and lower costs. The advantages of SiP technology lie in its flexibility, whereby active and passive components and analog and digital circuits can be combined into a system. The combination is technology-independent and allows the use of CMOS technology, silicon-germanium (SiGe), gallium arsenide (GaAs) and other compound semiconductors. The System on Chip, on the other hand, is a single chip that contains all the desired electronics. With these designs, a variety of functions can be implemented in a compact design and integrated into the composite pane.

In a particularly preferred embodiment, the electrical module is a system-in-package (SiP) or a system-on-chip (SoC), the chip being arranged in a recess, a recess or a cut-back in the inner pane and/or the intermediate layer .

In a preferred embodiment of the composite pane according to the invention, the electrical functional element is at least one in-mold electronics (IME) component. The electronics (IME) component is particularly preferably arranged in a prefabricated recess or in a cutback of the inner pane. In a further embodiment of the composite pane according to the invention, the electrical functional element is connected to a control unit and/or the on-board electronics, in particular the vehicle electronics, in particular via a connection, in particular a data connection. This can be a wired or wired data connection or a wireless data connection. For example, the electrical functional element can be connected via connecting cables, bus conductors, in particular CAN bus, LIN bus, MOST bus, Flex-Ray or automotive Ethernet.

In another embodiment, the composite pane according to the invention can contain at least one electrically switchable layer which is functionally connected to the electrical functional element. In particular, the electrical functional element can be designed to be suitable for controlling the electrically switchable layer. This provides a switchable composite pane which comprises one or more electrically switchable layers with two functional states. This can be a layer, for example a liquid crystal layer, for example a PDLC or LC layer, or a layer with SPD (Suspended Particle Device) or guest host technology, which is switched, for example, between a transparent and a translucent or opaque state can be. Furthermore, it can be an electrochromic or luminescent layer, e.g. OLED layer. Guest host technology uses molecularly doped polymers in the field of optoelectronics. These guest-host systems consist of a polymer matrix in which a low-molecular, functional compound is dissolved. Because the actual function is taken over by the guest molecules mixed in, the systems can be easily adapted to a specific application without the polymer itself having to be chemically modified. Such materials are already being used, for example, in optical information technology and sensor technology, as systems for holographic storage, as nonlinear materials for frequency doubling and electro-optical modulation or as active layers in organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs).

The electrically switchable layer with two functional states can be formed over the entire surface or over part of the surface. Such layers are expediently connected in the composite pane via bus bars. The electrically switchable layers can also include or implement other functions, for example as heating layers.

In a further embodiment of the composite pane according to the invention it is provided that the electrical functional element has at least one further electrically switchable component or module, in particular with electrical circuits, controls, sensors, antennas, imaging and image-recording devices such as cameras, displays or projectors, and/or acoustic modules, or lighting elements.

The composite pane according to the invention can comprise one or more functional layers, in particular an infrared ray-reflecting layer, an infrared ray-absorbing layer, a low-E layer, a UV-ray-reflecting layer, a UV-ray-absorbing layer. These infrared rays and UV ray-reflecting or absorbing layers are preferably arranged spatially behind the electrical functional element when viewed through the composite pane in the viewing direction from the inner pane to the outer pane. These can advantageously protect the electrical functional element from harmful influences caused by strong sunlight. A low-E coating is typically placed on the inside of the inner pane. The above-mentioned functional layers also contribute to climate comfort, for example for vehicle occupants.

The thermoplastic intermediate layer is preferably transparent. The intermediate layer preferably contains at least one plastic, preferably polyvinyl butyral (PVB), ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA) and/or polyethylene terephthalate (PET). The intermediate layer can also, for example, polyurethane (PU), polypropylene (PP), polyacrylate, polyethylene (PE), polycarbonate (PC), polymethyl methacrylate, polyvinyl chloride, polyacetate resin, casting resins, acrylates, fluorinated ethylene-propylene, polyvinyl fluoride and / or ethylene-tetrafluoroethylene , or copolymers or mixtures thereof. The intermediate layer can be formed by one or more films arranged one above the other, the thickness of a film preferably being from 0.025 mm to 1 mm, typically 0.38 mm, 0.76 mm or 0.84 mm. The intermediate layer can preferably be thermoplastic and, after lamination, the inner pane, the outer pane and any further intermediate layers can be glued together. In the sense of the invention, lamination is the connection of the inner pane, intermediate layer and outer pane, as well as the integration and fixation of the at least one electrical functional element.

In a further embodiment, the composite pane can have or include a functional intermediate layer, in particular with acoustically dampening properties, a wedge-shaped intermediate layer, for example for composite panes with a HUD function, an at least partially colored intermediate layer and/or an at least partially tinted intermediate layer. The inner pane and the outer pane preferably contain glass, particularly preferably flat glass, float glass, quartz glass, borosilicate glass, soda-lime glass, or clear plastics, preferably rigid clear plastics, in particular polyethylene, polypropylene, polycarbonate, polymethyl methacrylate, polystyrene, polyamide, polyester, polyvinyl chloride and/or mixtures thereof. The composite pane with inner pane and outer pane is preferably transparent, particularly for use of the pane as a windshield of a vehicle or other uses in which high light transmission is desired. Transparent in the sense of the invention is then understood to be a pane that has a transmission in the visible spectral range of greater than 70%. For windows that are not in the driver's traffic-relevant field of vision, for example roof windows, the transmission can also be much lower, for example greater than 5%.

In an advantageous embodiment, the thickness of the inner pane is 0.4 mm to 3.5 mm, preferably 0.9 mm to 2.1 mm. In an advantageous embodiment, the thickness of the outer pane is at least 1.4 mm, preferably at least 1.6 mm. The thickness of the outer pane is preferably at most 4.5 mm, preferably at most 2.1 mm. In this area, the composite pane has advantageous mechanical stability and noise-shielding properties, but is still sufficiently thin and light to be used as a windshield. The outer pane, the inner pane and the thermoplastic intermediate layer can be clear and colorless, but also tinted or colored. In a preferred embodiment, the total transmission through the composite pane is greater than 70%, especially if the composite pane is a windshield. The term total transmission refers to the procedure for testing the light transmission of motor vehicle windows specified by ECE-R 43, Annex 3, § 9.1.

The outer pane can preferably have a black print on the inside in the area near the glass edge in order, for example, to conceal connecting cables, adhesive beads for attaching the pane or one or more electrical functional elements arranged therein to the outside and to provide UV protection.

The invention further relates to a method for producing a composite pane with an integrated electrical functional element, as described above in various embodiments, comprising the steps

A) Provided at least one electrical functional element, wherein the functional element has at least one film, in particular a PE/PC film, with at least a functional surface on which at least one functional layer with at least one electrical component is arranged, wherein at least one electrical module is formed on the functional surface and/or a decorative layer is formed on the film and/or the electrical functional element is or comprises at least one IM E component ,

B) Providing a stacking sequence consisting of an outer pane, an inner pane, at least one thermoplastic film arranged between them to form the thermoplastic intermediate layer and the at least one electrical functional element, the at least one electrical functional element being arranged in the stacking sequence in such a way that the electrical module or the IME -Component is at least partially arranged in a prefabricated recess, recess or in a cut-back of the inner pane and / or the intermediate layer,

C) Laminating the stacking sequence into a composite pane.

In a further embodiment of the method, the electrical functional element is formed or connected to a system-in-package (SiP) chip and/or to a system-on-chip (SoC), and this chip is in a recess, a recess or a cut back of the inner pane and / or the intermediate layer is arranged.

In another embodiment of the method it is provided that at least one electrically switchable layer, in particular a switchable liquid crystal layer, is formed.

In a further embodiment according to the invention, it is provided that one or more functional layers, in particular a layer that reflects infrared rays, an infrared ray-absorbing layer, a UV ray-reflecting layer, and a UV ray-absorbing layer, are formed. Preferably, these infrared rays and UV ray-reflecting or absorbing layers can be arranged spatially behind the electrical functional element when viewed through the composite pane in the viewing direction from the inner pane to the outer pane, for example these can be formed and arranged on the inside of the outer pane or in the intermediate layer, while the electrical functional element is arranged, for example, between the intermediate layer and the inner pane. These functional layers can advantageously protect the electrical functional element from harmful influences caused by strong solar radiation. Such functional layers are known and described in many ways and can be found on known way, for example by physical or chemical vapor deposition processes (PVD and CVD) or cathode ray processes (sputtering).

Furthermore, in one embodiment of the method for forming the intermediate layer, a functional intermediate layer, in particular an intermediate layer with acoustically dampening properties, or an at least partially colored intermediate layer and/or an at least partially tinted intermediate layer, or even a wedge-shaped film can be used.

According to a further embodiment of the method according to the invention for producing a composite pane, the electrical functional element is connected to a control unit and/or the on-board electronics via connecting lines, bus conductors, in particular CAN bus, LIN bus, MOST bus, Flex-Ray or automotive Ethernet . Additionally or alternatively, the electrical functional element can be functionally connected to further electrical functional elements, electrically switchable layers or structural units, such as electrical circuits, sensors, antennas, cameras, displays, projectors. These can optionally be arranged inside the composite pane or outside the composite pane.

The invention further relates to the use of a composite pane as described above in various designs and configurations in vehicles for traffic on land, in the air or on water, in particular for motor vehicles, in particular as a roof pane, windshield or side window. Alternatively, the composite pane can also be building glazing.

The various embodiments of the invention can be implemented individually or in any combination. In particular, the features mentioned above and explained below can be used not only in the specified combinations, but also in other combinations or on their own, without departing from the scope of the present invention; Unless combinations of versions or individual features are only described as alternatives or are mutually exclusive. Features of the composite pane and the manufacturing process are also included here. The invention is explained in more detail below using drawings and exemplary embodiments. The drawings are schematic representations only and are not to scale. The drawings and exemplary embodiments do not limit the invention in any way. Show it

Fig. 1 shows a cross section through a composite pane in the area of the electrical

Functional element as a film;

Fig. 2 shows a cross section through a composite pane in the area of the electrical

Functional element in a second embodiment;

Fig. 3 shows a cross section through a composite pane in the area of the electrical

Functional element in a third embodiment;

4a-c embodiments of a vehicle roof composite pane,

5 shows a schematic top view of an electrical functional element, designed as an operating device,

Fig. 6 is a schematic top view of a composite pane according to the invention.

Fig. 1 shows a cross section through a composite pane 1 in an area that contains an electrical functional element 10 in film form. The composite pane 1 has an outer pane 2 with an outside I and an inside II and an inner pane 3 with an outside III and an inside IV, which are connected to one another via a thermoplastic intermediate layer 4. In this embodiment, the electrical functional element 10 is designed as a film, ie as a functional film, which is embedded between the intermediate layer 4 and the outside III of the inner pane 3. In one embodiment, the film has at least one functional surface with a functional layer with at least one electrical component and a decorative layer is formed on the film (not shown separately). The electrical component is part of the functional layer. The functional film is preferably a polyester or polycarbonate film. For example, the entire area or a partial area of the film, on the functional surface and/or on the surface of the film opposite the functional surface, can be provided with a decorative or functional decoration, for example with color, graphics, text, symbols or patterns. The decorative layer can occur before, simultaneously or subsequently to the production, for example for printing, of the electrical components. For example, graphics and conductor tracks can be screen printed with known functional inks onto thin polyester or polycarbonate films. Furthermore it is possible to apply desired or required decorative elements to a carrier film using screen or digital printing and to connect this decorative film flatly to the functional film before or during lamination to form the composite pane 1. In other words, the functional film and the decorative film can be used in the stacking sequence for lamination as a film composite or as a single functional and decorative film arranged flat one above the other. An analogous procedure is known in the area of in-mold decoration of integrated electronics (IME) components, although according to the invention the molding and back-injection of the films is replaced by the lamination process. Partial steps of these known methods can therefore be advantageously combined with one another or used in addition to one another. The electrical functional element 10 can be produced and provided, for example, as a film-shaped, integrated operating device with a decorative, visually appealing and intuitively operable user interface (decorative layer), for example with touch buttons (touch switches) or sliders (slide switches), as shown schematically in Figure 5. The decorative layer is therefore expediently applied to the functional film of the electrical functional element 10 on the side facing a viewer and possibly potential operator (operating side) and arranged in the composite pane 1, for example in the direction of a vehicle interior. The electrical functional element 10 is connected to a control unit 6 or the on-board electronics via connecting lines 5, for example via busbars.

Fig. 2 shows a cross section through a composite pane 1 in the area of the electrical functional element 10 in another embodiment, in which an electrical module 7 is arranged as a 3D component on a functional film, in modification to the embodiment shown in Fig. 1, on the functional surface and functionally connected. Such a module 7 can be, for example, a SIP chip; which is arranged in a recess, for example a hole in the inner pane 3. Various chips are combined in a package to form a complete electronic system (SiP). This further contributes to an advantageous reduction in components when integrating multiple functions into a composite pane. Furthermore, in this embodiment, two functional layers 8a, 8b are arranged spatially behind the electrical functional element 10 in the viewing direction from the inner pane 3 to the outer pane 2. These functional layers 8a, 8b can be, for example, infrared radiation-shielding layers or UV protective layers, which protect the electrical functional element 10 from the harmful effects of sunlight and can also advantageously improve the climate comfort, for example for vehicle occupants. Furthermore, in the In the embodiment shown, a further functional layer 9, for example a low-E layer, is arranged on the inside IV of the inner pane 3 as a thermal protection layer.

Fig. 3 shows a cross section through a composite pane 1 with an electrical functional element 10 which is integrated in a cut-back of the inner pane 3. The functional element 10 can in particular be an in-mold electronics (IME) component (7b). In its geometric shape (for example in the curvature) and shape, this can be adapted to the composite pane and the cutback of the inner pane and flush with the inside IV of the inner pane 3, so that an attractively flat, uniform surface is created for a viewer. For example, the functional element 10 can be an operating device. Advantageously, IME components can be provided with such a low overall height and can be easily integrated into the composite pane 1 in a lamination process due to the robust, temperature-stable design. The placement of the electrical functional element 10 can be chosen very flexibly, not only in this embodiment, so that, depending on the functionality provided, for example good accessibility and operability can advantageously be guaranteed. In addition to elements of an operating device, the IM E component 7b can also include one or more further electrical modules such as lighting elements, such as reading lamps, or sensors or other functional elements.

4a-c show embodiments of a composite pane 1 according to the invention as a vehicle roof glazing 100 in a plan view of the outer pane 2. In Fig. 4a, an integrated electrical functional element 10, for example an IME component, designed as an operating device, is arranged between the driver and front passenger . In Fig. 4b, for example, a first operating device 10a is arranged between the driver and front passenger. A second operating device 10b and a third operating device 10c are arranged in the outer area of the rear seats. This arrangement 10b and 10c is particularly suitable for an operating device with an integrated reading lamp. In Fig. 4c, a first operating device 10a is arranged in a more central position of the roof window 100 between the driver and front passenger and the passenger row (back seat). This means that all vehicle occupants can be reached if necessary. A second operating device 10b and a third operating device 10c are arranged in the outer area of the rear seats. These arrangements 10b and 10c are particularly suitable for an operating device with an integrated reading lamp. The operating device can be arranged both in an edge area of the composite pane 1 and in a central area of the composite pane 1. This makes it possible to enable optimal positioning for operation by a user. 5 shows a schematic top view of an electrical functional element 10 designed as an operating device 10a. The electronic component of the functional layer is then, for example, part of a control element. For the purposes of this invention, an operating element is to be understood as an area of the user interface that is designed so that a switching function is carried out by pressing (touch button 11a) or pressing and a sliding movement (slider 11b). Such controls and their possible design and function are known per se.

6 shows a composite pane 1 according to the invention in a top view in an embodiment as a windshield 200, for example as a panoramic windshield. The integrated electrical functional element 10 is arranged in the installed position in the upper, roof-side edge region of the windshield 200 centrally between the driver and front passenger and can be designed, for example, as an operating device. Advantageously, the electrical functional element 10 can be designed with a wide range of variations in terms of spatial-geometric dimensions, as well as in functional and decorative terms. This means it can be flexibly adapted to a wide range of functional needs, as well as aesthetic requirements, demands and wishes. The functional element 10 can be laminated to the outside, covered and protected from UV light by a cover print 12, for example a black cover print 12 on the edge, which is preferably applied to the inside II of the outer pane 2.

According to the invention, a compact method for the series production of composite panes with integrated functional elements in a high-quality, visually appealing design is provided. According to the invention, it is possible, for example, to integrate high-quality control panels, beautifully designed control switching and control elements with an expanded range of functions into the composite pane with great freedom of design.

Reference symbol list

1 composite disc

2 outer pane

3 inner pane

4 intermediate layer

5 connection element (e.g. busbar, busbars)

6 Control unit/onboard electronics

7 electrical module, in particular electrical 3D component

7a System in Package (SiP)

7b IME component

8, 8a, 8b functional layer (IRR/UV protection),

9 additional functional layers, low-E layer

10 electrical functional element

10a, 10b, 10c electrical functional element (operating device)

11a touch button

11b sliders

12 cover pressure

100 roof pane (composite pane 1)

200 windshield (composite window 1)

I Outside of the outer pane

11 Inside of the outer pane

III Outside of the inner pane

IV Inside of the inner pane

Claims

Claims Composite pane (1), in particular for a vehicle, with an outer pane (2) with an outside (I) and an inside (II) and an inner pane (3) with an outside (III) and an inside (IV), which has a thermoplastic intermediate layer (4) are connected to one another, with at least one electrical functional element (10) being integrated into the composite pane (1).

• has at least one film with at least one functional surface, on which at least one functional layer with at least one electrical component is arranged, at least one electrical module (7) being formed on the functional surface and/or a decorative layer being formed on the film, and/or which

• at least one in-mold electronics (IME) component (7b) is or comprises, wherein the electrical module (7) or the IM E component (7b) is at least partially in a prefabricated recess, recess or in a cutback the inner pane (3) and/or the intermediate layer (4) is arranged. Composite pane (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the electrical functional element (10) is designed with conductor tracks, electrical circuits, controls, sensors, antennas and / or integrated circuits and / or is connected thereto. Composite pane (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the electrical module (7) is a surface-mounted electrical component (SMD) selected from the group of integrated circuit, resistor, capacitor. Composite pane according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the electrical module (7) is a system-in-package (SiP) (7a) or a system-on-chip (SoC), the chip being in a recess, a recess or a cutback of the inner pane (3) and / or the intermediate layer (4) is arranged. Composite pane (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the electrical functional element (10) is at least one in-mold electronics (IME) component (7b). Composite pane according to claim 5, characterized in that the in-mold electronics (IME) component (7b) is arranged in a prefabricated recess or in a cutback of the inner pane (3). Composite pane (1) according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the electrical functional element (10) is connected via a connection (5), in particular a data connection, to a control unit (6) and/or the on-board electronics, in particular the vehicle electronics . Composite pane (1) according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that it contains at least one electrically switchable layer which is functionally connected to the electrical functional element (10), in particular a PDLC layer, LC layer, an electrochromic layer, a luminescent layer, or a layer with SPD or guest host technology. Composite pane (1) according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the electrical functional element (10) with at least one electrically switchable component or module, in particular with electrical circuits, operating elements, sensors, antennas, imaging and image-recording or acoustic modules, or Lighting elements, is functionally connected. Composite pane (1) according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that it comprises one or more functional layers (8), in particular an infrared ray-reflecting layer (8a), an infrared ray-absorbing layer, a low-E layer ( 9), UV-ray-reflecting layer (8b) and/or a UV-ray-absorbing layer, and/or the intermediate layer (4) a functional intermediate layer, in particular with acoustically damping properties, a wedge-shaped intermediate layer, an at least partially colored intermediate layer and/or an at least partially tinted intermediate layer is or comprises. Method for producing a composite pane (1) according to one of claims 1 to 10 comprising the steps

A) Provided at least one electrical functional element (10), wherein the functional element (10) has at least one film, in particular a PE/PC film, with at least one functional surface, on which at least one functional layer is arranged with at least one electrical component, wherein at least one electrical module (7) is formed on the functional surface and/or a decorative layer is formed on the film, and/or the electrical functional element (10) is at least one IM E component (7b) or includes,

B) Providing a stacking sequence consisting of an outer pane (2), an inner pane (3), at least one thermoplastic film arranged therebetween to form the thermoplastic intermediate layer (4) and the at least one electrical functional element (10), wherein in the stacking sequence the at least one electrical Functional element (10) is arranged in such a way that the electrical module (7) or the IME component (7b) is at least partially arranged in a prefabricated recess, recess or in a cutback of the inner pane (3) and / or the intermediate layer (4). is,

C) Laminating the stacking sequence to form a composite disc (1). Method for producing a composite pane (1) according to claim 11, wherein the electrical functional element (10) is formed or connected to a system-in-package (SiP) chip (7a) or a system-on-chip (SoC) and wherein this chip is arranged in a recess, recess or a cutback of the inner pane (3) and/or the intermediate layer (4). Method for producing a composite pane (1) according to one of claims 11 or 12, characterized in that at least one electrically switchable layer, in particular a switchable liquid crystal layer and / or one or more functional layers, (8, 8a, 8b) in particular a layer reflecting infrared rays (8a), an infrared ray-absorbing layer, a UV-ray-reflecting, a UV-ray-absorbing and/or a low-E layer, an intermediate layer (4) with acoustically dampening properties, or an at least partially colored intermediate layer and / or an at least partially tinted intermediate layer can be formed. Method for producing a composite pane (1) according to one of claims 11 to 13, wherein the electrical functional element (10) via connections (5), busbars, in particular CAN bus, LIN bus, MOST bus, Flex-Ray or automotive Ethernet is connected to one or more further electrical functional elements, electrically switchable layers, to a control device (6) and / or the on-board electronics. Use of a composite pane (1) according to one of claims 1 to 10 in vehicles for traffic on land, in the air or on water, in particular for motor vehicles, in particular as a roof pane (100), windshield (200) or side window.