A glazing applicable to multiple illumination products comprises a first glass substrate having first and second surfaces, a second glass substrate having third and fourth surfaces, a polymer interlayer laminated between the first and second substrates, and a coating including a first luminescent material and being applied on one of the third and fourth surfaces of the second glass substrate, for emitting light to both of the interior and exterior.

A functional element having electrically controllable optical properties, includes a stack sequence of at least a first carrier film, an active layer, and a second carrier film, wherein at least one exit surface of the active layer on at least one lateral face of the stack sequence of the functional element is sealed at least in sections with a barrier material.

Described herein are liquid crystal (LC) assemblies that are dimmable and techniques for manufacturing LC assemblies. In some embodiments, an LC assembly includes a Guest-Host (GH) liquid crystal layer containing nematic liquid crystals, dye molecules, and a chiral dopant. The GH liquid crystal layer is located between a pair of substrates. The LC assembly is a film assembly, with each of the substrates including a flexible film and a conductive layer formed on the flexible film. The substrates are separated by spacers that define a cell gap. The GH liquid crystal layer is configured to transition the LC assembly between darkened and lightened states depending on the voltage across the conductive layers. The flexible films allow the LC assembly to conform to the surface of a window or other rigid surface to which the LC assembly is attached. The LC assembly can be attached via a liquid or film-based adhesive.

An apparatus and method, according to an exemplary aspect of the present disclosure includes, among other things, a switchable glass structure supported within a vehicle and comprised of a plurality of layers. A power source is selectively applied to the switchable glass structure to change the switchable glass structure from opaque to clear. Markings are formed within at least one of the plurality of layers to identify user input areas. A control system includes a circuit configured cooperate with the power source to allow the switchable glass structure to act as a capacitive sensor such that user input to the user input areas can be sensed to change the switchable glass structure between opaque and clear modes.

Described herein are liquid crystal (LC) assemblies that are dimmable and techniques for manufacturing LC assemblies. In some embodiments, an LC assembly includes a Guest-Host (GH) liquid crystal layer containing nematic liquid crystals, dye molecules, and a chiral dopant. The GH liquid crystal layer is located between a pair of substrates. The LC assembly is a film assembly, with each of the substrates including a flexible film and a conductive layer formed on the flexible film. The substrates are separated by spacers that define a cell gap. The GH liquid crystal layer is configured to transition the LC assembly between darkened and lightened states depending on the voltage across the conductive layers. The flexible films allow the LC assembly to conform to the surface of a window or other rigid surface to which the LC assembly is attached. The LC assembly can be attached via a liquid or film-based adhesive.

An apparatus and method, according to an exemplary aspect of the present disclosure includes, among other things, a transparent lighting source, a switchable opaque film bonded to the transparent lighting source to provide a vehicle component, and an electrical connection that connects to the transparent lighting source and the switchable opaque film such that the switchable opaque film is electrically controlled to switch between an opaque state and a transparent state. A control unit independently controls the switchable opaque film and the transparent lighting source based on a predetermined application for the vehicle component.

A composite pane having electrically controllable optical properties, includes an outer pane and an inner pane that are joined to one another via a thermoplastic intermediate layer, wherein a functional element having electrically controllable optical properties is embedded in the intermediate layer, the functional element including an active layer between a first carrier film and a second carrier film, wherein the intermediate layer contains a first thermoplastic material and the carrier films contain a second thermoplastic material, and wherein the first carrier film and the second carrier film are fused together along at least one region of the side edge of the functional element.

A composite pane having electrically controllable optical properties, includes an outer pane, a first intermediate layer, a second intermediate layer, and an inner pane, a functional element having electrically controllable optical properties, which is arranged between the first intermediate layer and the second intermediate layer, and a thermoplastic frame layer, which surrounds the functional element in the manner of a frame, wherein the outer pane and the inner pane are joined to one another via the first intermediate layer, the second intermediate layer, and the thermoplastic frame layer, and an optical waveguide is arranged at least partially between the outer pane and the inner pane.

A glazing unit includes at least one first and second glass or plastic pane that are joined to one another at a predetermined distance via a spacer or a thermoplastic intermediate layer, wherein at least one of the first and second glass or plastic pane includes, on the inner side of the glazing unit, a transparent electrically conductive coating and, in an edge region thereof, a bus bar for the electrical connection of the conductive coating, wherein the bus bar is provided, at least over the greater part of its surface, with an opaque covering.

A composite pane with an electrically switchable functional element, includes first and second panes, a thermoplastic intermediate layer joining the first pane to the second pane and including a first laminating film with a thickness of at least 0.3 mm and a second laminating film with a thickness of at most 70 μm. The first laminating film is inserted substantially areally between the first and second panes. The second laminating film is inserted exclusively in the region of the at least one functional element and protrudes with an overhang x of at least 1 mm and at most 10 mm beyond the outer edges of the functional element. The direct layer sequence in the region of an electrically switchable functional element consists of the first pane, the second laminating film, the electrically switchable functional element, optionally, a further second laminating film, the first laminating film, and the second pane.