LUMINOUS MOTOR-VEHICLE GLAZING UNIT

Abstract

A light glazing for a motor vehicle includes a first transparent sheet, a masking zone with a first unmasked zone, a first light source, coupled optically to a transparent element, called light guide, a first extraction device for extracting light guided in the light guide, the first light extraction device being opposite the first unmasked zone so that one or more of the illuminated patterns are visible on the side of the second main face, on the second main face side, an opaque rear masking element, covering the first light extraction device, the first light extraction device being between the second main face and the rear masking element.

Claims

1. A light glazing for a motor vehicle, comprising: a first transparent sheet, with a first main face intended to be directed toward the outside of the vehicle, a second main face intended to be directed toward the interior of the vehicle and an edge, facing one of the first and second main faces, a masking zone, made of an opaque material, a masking zone of width W of at least 0.8 cm, a first unmasked zone in the masking zone, a first light source, the light emitted by the first light source being visible on a side of the first main face leaving through the first unmasked zone on a side of the second main face, a transparent element, with an outer main face oriented on the second main face side and an inner main face and a rim, the first light source being coupled optically to said transparent element, the light emitted by the first light source being guided in said transparent element that forms a light guide, the outer main face of the light guide being opposite the first unmasked zone and behind the masking zone the light glazing comprises first light extraction device adapted to extract the light guided in said light guide, the first light extraction device being opposite the first unmasked zone so that one or more of the illuminated patterns are visible on the side of the first main face, and on the second main face side, an opaque rear masking element, covering the first light extraction device, the first light extraction device being between the second main face and the opaque rear masking element, when the first light source emits in the ultraviolet, the light glazing comprises a layer based on fluorescent luminophore capable of converting the extracted ultraviolet light into visible light, when the first transparent sheet has a see-throught portion, the first light source, an optional first source support of the first light source, and the rear masking element are absent from the see-throught portion, the first extraction device being in the form of one or more first spaced-apart patterns, when the first light source is in operation the illuminated pattern or patterns being visible on the side of the first main face, and/or the first unmasked zone is formed by one or more spaced-apart patterns, so that when the first light source is in operation one or more of the illuminated patterns are visible on the side of the first main face.

2. The light glazing as claimed in claim 1, wherein the opaque masking zone is of black or gray color C1 and the opaque rear masking element is of color C2 that is identical or similar to C1.

3. The light glazing as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first light source is masked from the outside so as to be invisible on the side of the first main face and is masked by the masking zone and/or wholly or partly offset from the second main face.

4. The light glazing as claimed in claim 3, wherein the first light source is mounted on a first source support extending from the edge of the first transparent sheet in a peripheral zone, devoid of encapsulation, a first source support notably able to be housed between a vehicle edge and bodywork of the vehicle in mounted position, and/or the light guide extends into a peripheral zone devoid of encapsulation.

5. The light glazing as claimed in claim 4 comprising a masking cover masking the first light source and optionally a first source support of the first light source and an optional controller, of the light guide, said cover covering the rear masking element or the cover forming the rear masking element, the cover being masked from the outside by the masking zone and optionally partly extending beyond the edge of the first transparent sheet.

6. The light glazing as claimed in claim 1, comprising a controller to control the first light source on a first source support.

7. The light glazing as claimed in claim 1, comprising electric wiring supplying the first light source and a polymer encapsulation of the first transparent sheet, made of an encapsulation material which covers the electric wiring and makes it exit in a zone of connection of the wiring in the vehicle.

8. The light glazing as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first light extraction device inscribed in a surface SL, the rear masking element is a masking background and is inscribed in a surface SF with a perimeter PF, SF covers SL and is greater than or equal to SL.

9. The light glazing as claimed in claim 1, wherein the rear masking element covers substantially the inner face of the light guide when the light guide is circumscribed in the masking zone or when the light guide extends beyond the edge of the first transparent sheet, the rear masking element covers at least the region of the inner face which faces the second main face.

10. The glazing as claimed in claim 1, wherein the rear masking element is on the inner face of the light guide and is chosen from among: an opaque plate, an opaque covering, the plate of an opaque cover also having one or more opaque walls or flanges opposite the rim of the light guide and covering the rim, and the outer face of the light guide is fitted or glued by a peripheral adhesive possibly forming a frame or by spots of glue, placed or glued onto the second main face or onto a second transparent sheet laminated via polymer lamination separator to the first transparent sheet.

11. The light glazing as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first unmasked zone is formed by one or more spaced-apart patterns.

12. The light glazing as claimed in claim 1, wherein the light glazing comprises a trap device for trapping guided light likely to exit through the rim of the light guide, the trap device chosen from among: an opaque layer on the rim of the light guide or on an element against or spaced apart by at most 1 cm from the rim of the guide, an opaque adhesive tape on the rim of the light guide, one or more of the opaque walls or flanges of a cover covering the rear masking element or forming said rear masking element, walls on or spaced apart by at most 1 cm from the rim of the light guide, a first source support of the first light source.

13. The light glazing as claimed in claim 1, wherein the glazing is a single glazing, the first main face is the face intended to be the outer face of the vehicle, the second main face is the face intended to be the inner face of the vehicle and the masking zone is a layer on the second main face.

14. The light glazing as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first light source is a set of inorganic light-emitting diodes on a front face of a first source support.

15. The light glazing as claimed in claim 1, wherein the light guide has a cavity that is blind or passes through the thickness housing the first light source, a first wall delimiting the cavity being coupled optically to the first light source.

16. The light glazing as claimed in claim 15, wherein the light guide has a cavity, blind or passing through the thickness, for guiding the electric wiring supplying the first light source.

17. The light glazing as claimed in claim 15, wherein the cavity houses a second light source and a wall delimiting the cavity being coupled optically to the second light source and the light guide having a second light extraction device separated from the first light extraction device by the cavity.

18. The light glazing as claimed in claim 1, wherein an overall thickness of the assembly of light guide, rear masking element and optional cover covering the rear masking element is at most 10 mm.

19. The light glazing as claimed in claim 1, wherein the light glazing forms: a side window. a rear window or a windshield, a roof, dome, or a front strip comprising a bottom longitudinal border intended to extend on the top longitudinal boundary of a windshield, the first unmasked zone being a bottom longitudinal strip of the masking zone.

20. A vehicle comprising at least one light glazing as claimed in claim 1.

Description

[0236] The present invention will now be described with reference to the attached figures in which

[0237] FIG. 1 represents a front schematic view of a light glazing on the side of the outer face F1 and in the on state in a first embodiment of the invention.

[0238] FIG. 1′ represents a front schematic view of the light glazing on the side of the outer face F1 in the off state of the first embodiment.

[0239] FIG. 2 represents a partial schematic view in section and in perspective of a light glazing showing the inner face F2 and a light device on the face F2 in a second embodiment according to the invention.

[0240] FIG. 3 represents another partial perspective schematic view of the light glazing of the second embodiment.

[0241] FIG. 4 represents another partial perspective and exploded schematic view of the light glazing of the second embodiment.

[0242] FIG. 5 represents a partial perspective and exploded schematic view of a light glazing in a third embodiment according to the invention.

[0243] FIG. 6 represents a partial perspective and exploded schematic view of a light glazing in a fourth embodiment according to the invention.

[0244] FIG. 7 represents a partial perspective and exploded schematic view of a light glazing in a fifth embodiment according to the invention.

[0245] FIG. 8 represents a partial perspective schematic view of a light glazing in a sixth embodiment according to the invention.

[0246] FIG. 8′ represents a partial perspective schematic view of a light glazing in a seventh embodiment according to the invention.

[0247] FIG. 9 represents a partial perspective schematic view of the light glazing of the seventh embodiment.

[0248] FIG. 9′ represents a partial perspective schematic view of the light glazing in an eighth embodiment according to the invention.

[0249] FIG. 10 represents a partial front schematic view of the light glazing in a ninth embodiment according to the invention.

[0250] FIG. 11 represents a schematic view showing, respectively on the left and on the right, four configurations of superpositioning of the rear masking element, of the light guide with the first light extraction means and of the masking zone with the first unmasked zone, in a tenth embodiment according to the invention.

[0251] FIG. 12 represents a side schematic view of a vehicle incorporating light glazings in an eleventh embodiment according to the invention.

[0252] FIG. 13 represents a side schematic view of a vehicle incorporating light glazings in a twelfth embodiment according to the invention.

[0253] FIG. 14 represents a partial perspective schematic view from the front of a vehicle incorporating a light glazing in a thirteenth embodiment according to the invention.

[0254] FIG. 1 represents a front schematic view of a light glazing 100 in the on state in a first embodiment of the invention. FIG. 1′ represents a front schematic view of the light glazing on the side of the outer face F1 in the off state of the first embodiment. This is a single light glazing of a motor vehicle 100 (car, truck, bus), here fixed (preferably), such as a rear quarterlight or a vent light comprising: [0255] a first transparent sheet 1, preferably of glass, notably tempered and/or tinted, or of plastic, notably tinted, of 3.15 mm thickness such as the TSA3+ green glazing sold by the Applicant with a main face 11 called F1 intended to be directed toward the outside of the vehicle, a main face F2 intended to be directed toward the interior of the vehicle, and an edge, [0256] on the face F2, a masking frame 2 of black or gray ink or enamel (visible by transparency in FIG. 1) with bottom and top strips 21, 22 on the left and right 23, 24 leaving a see-throught portion 1a delimited by an inner border 20 of the strip, for example of width W of 3 cm [0257] a first unmasked zone 25 in the corner of the bottom longitudinal masking strip 21, unmasked zone closed therefore encircled by the strip 22, here representing the letters LOGO, for example letters 2 cm high by 1 cm wide [0258] behind the bottom masking strip 22: [0259] a light device comprising: [0260] a first light source, which is a first set of light-emitting diodes (LED) each having a light-emitting face, diodes on a front face of a first opaque source support, [0261] on the face F2, a light guide 5 (rectangular, see dotted lines in FIG. 1′) which is transparent with, on a main face of the light guide, a diffusing pattern in the form of the same letters LOGO of the same size as or larger than the LOGO of the unmasked zone 25 and facing the first unmasked zone [0262] a masking background for the diffusing LOGO behind the light guide, black or gray such as enamel 2, [0263] a framing polymeric encapsulation 90.

[0264] When the diodes are off, the first unmasked zone seems quasi-invisible by virtue of the masking background.

[0265] The light device is masked from the interior by the vehicle trim.

[0266] FIG. 2 represents a partial cross-sectional perspective schematic view of a light glazing 200 showing the inner face F2 and a light device on the face F2 in a second embodiment according to the invention.

[0267] FIG. 3 represents another partial perspective schematic view of the light glazing 200 of the second embodiment.

[0268] FIG. 4 represents another partial perspective and exploded schematic view of the light glazing 200 of the second embodiment.

[0269] This is a single light glazing 200 for a motor vehicle (car, truck, bus), here fixed (preferably), comprising: [0270] a first transparent sheet 1, preferably of tinted or colorless tempered glass or of plastic, with a main face called F1 intended to be directed toward the outside of the vehicle, a main face F2 12 intended to be directed toward the interior of the vehicle, and an edge [0271] on the face F2, a masking frame 2 of black ink or enamel (visible by transparency in FIG. 2) with top 21 and bottom 22, left 23 and right 24 strips leaving a see-throught portion 1a, delimited by an inner border 20 of the strip, for example of width W of 1 cm to 8 cm, for example 5 cm [0272] a first unmasked zone in the bottom longitudinal masking strip 22, unmasked zone for example closed therefore encircled by the strip 22, here representing the letters LOGO, for example letters 3 cm high by 2 cm wide [0273] a light device comprising: [0274] a first light source, which is a first set of the top-emitting light-emitting diodes 4 each having a light-emitting face, diodes on a front face 31 of a first opaque source support 3, [0275] on the face F2, a light guide 5 (here rectangular for example, with its length along the inner masking border 20) which is transparent with, on an outer main face Fe 51 of the light guide, a diffusing pattern 61 in the form of the same letters LOGO of the same size as or larger than the LOGO of the unmasked zone and facing the first unmasked zone, the guide 5 being glued onto the face F2 12 by its outer face Fe 51 by a peripheral double-sided adhesive tape 54, for example forming a frame, [0276] a masking background 7 for the diffusing LOGO behind the light guide, black or gray like the enamel 2, which is a plate 70, black in its mass (or through a coating on a plastic film for example), plate 7 glued onto the outer face 51 of the guide 5 by its outer face 71 by means of a peripheral adhesive tape 74, for example forming a frame, background covering first extraction means 61, [0277] a framing polymeric encapsulation 90.

[0278] The light glazing comprises opaque means for trapping guided light likely to exit through the rim of the light guide, here an opaque adhesive tape 8 (white, etc) over all the rim of the light guide (tapes applied end-to-end or piecewise): [0279] tape 83 on a first rim 531 on the inner border side 20 of the masking strip 22, [0280] tape 81 on a first longitudinal rim 531 on the inner border side 20 of the masking strip 22 (also avoiding a stray halo in the see-throught portion), [0281] tape 82 on a second adjacent lateral rim 532, [0282] possibly tape 83 on a third longitudinal rim opposite the first rim and tape 84 on a fourth adjacent lateral rim 534.

[0283] The tapes 83 and 84 are optional because the first L-shaped source support 3, notably opaque (opacified, etc), can already form a barrier to the light exiting through the edge.

[0284] The light guide 5 has a cavity 55 (see FIG. 4), here right through the thickness, here an L-shaped bent groove, housing the diodes 4, and its flexible source support 3, also L-shaped, a first wall 50 of the walls delimiting the cavity 55 being coupled optically to the first light source 4.

[0285] The assembly of source support 3 and diodes 4 can be force-fitted into the groove 50 or the rear face 32 of the source support 3 glued to the wall 50′ opposite the coupling wall or even the front face 31 glued to the coupling wall 50.

[0286] The diodes in the form of an L make it possible to have more light. Alternatively, the cavity 55 is linear (without bend), the diode support 3 is a rectilinear bar.

[0287] It is possible to also have a masking cover covering the rear masking element 7, the trapping means 8 (by its flanges), possibly fixing the light guide 5 and/or the rear masking element 7 onto the face F2, cover masked from the outside by the masking strip 22.

[0288] The total thickness of the assembly of light guide 5, rear masking element 7 and possible cover covering the rear masking element is preferably at most 10 mm, notably from 2 to 10 mm, and even 3 to 5 mm, the thickness of the light guide is at most 3 mm, and even at most 1.5 mm.

[0289] The light glazing 200 also comprises control means 92 for the first light source 4, in particular the first light source being switched according to setpoint(s). Here these control means are glued onto the face F2 in proximity to the guide 5. They can also be on the first source support (front and/or rear face).

[0290] Electric wiring 91, 91′ supplies the first light source 4 and the control means 92. The cavity 55 is extended by a groove 55′ for guiding the wiring 91 exiting to the control means 92. The wiring 91 or 91′ can exit parallel to the face F2 or with an angle with the face F2, for example normal to the face F2.

[0291] The first sheet 1 has a see-throught portion 1a. The first light source 4, the first source support 3, the light guide 5, the rear masking element 7, the control means for the first light source 92, the electrical power supply wiring 91 of the first light source, the trapping means 8 are absent from the see-throught portion.

[0292] The polymeric encapsulation 90 of the first sheet which is an overmolding, made of an encapsulation material, can cover the wiring and make it exit in a zone (of connection of the wiring in the vehicle) such as a border or corner adjacent or opposite to the border of the first sheet closest to the first unmasked zone.

[0293] The diodes emit in the white, yellow or any other color. The first unmasked zone is a set of discontinuities of the layer 2. Alternatively, the first unmasked zone 25 comprises a colored filter and, for example, the diodes emit in white light.

[0294] Alternatively, the diodes 4 emit in the UV and the diffusing pattern 61 is a diffusing layer comprising fluorescent luminophores or under a layer based on fluorescent luminophores.

[0295] Alternatively, the diodes 4 are side-emitting (the cavity 55 can be widened if necessary).

[0296] FIG. 5 represents a partial perspective schematic view of a light glazing 300 in a third embodiment according to the invention.

[0297] The glazing 300 differs from the glazing 200 of the second embodiment in that: [0298] the opaque adhesive tape on the perimeter 531 to 534 of the light guide 5 is replaced by a black paint 81 to 84 [0299] the diodes 4′ on the small side of the L emit different colors for light effects.

[0300] FIG. 6 represents a partial perspective and exploded schematic view of a light glazing 400 according to the invention in a fourth embodiment.

[0301] The glazing 400 differs from the glazing 200 of the second embodiment in that: [0302] the opaque adhesive tape on the perimeter of the guide is replaced by a black (paint) layer 81′ 82′ on at least the two rims 531 and 534 facing the coupling walls of the diodes 4 [0303] the pattern 61 is a pictogram, here a car that is green indicating a door (or trunk lid) opening, or red indicating a door (or trunk lid) closure or even white or yellow indicating that the vehicle has detected the user of the vehicle in proximity (linked with a presence detector for example) [0304] the control means 92 are on the first diode support 3, in the cavity 55.

[0305] FIG. 7 represents a partial perspective and exploded schematic view of a light glazing 500 in a fifth embodiment according to the invention.

[0306] The glazing 500 differs from the glazing 200 of the second embodiment in that: [0307] the cavity 55 houses a second light source (diodes 4′ on second diode support 3′) back-to-back with the first light source 4 and a wall 56, delimiting the cavity 55, being coupled optically to the second light source, the light guide having second light extraction means (pattern 62 on the outer face 51) separated from the first light extraction means 61 by the cavity 55 in the form of a double L, [0308] the opaque adhesive tape on the perimeter is replaced by a black paint 81, 82 on at least the two rims 531 and 534 (and even the rim 533) facing the coupling walls of the diodes 4 [0309] the light guide 4 does not include a guiding groove for the wiring 91, the latter exits from the top between the rear masking element 7 and the inner face Fi 52 of the guide 5.

[0310] The pattern 61 can be signage illuminated independently of the pattern 62 and with a totally distinct function.

[0311] FIG. 8 represents a partial perspective and exploded schematic view of a light glazing 600 in a sixth embodiment according to the invention.

[0312] The glazing 600 differs from the glazing 200 of the second embodiment in that: [0313] the diodes 4 are not in a cavity of the guide 5 but facing a rim 531, called optical coupling rim (inner border side 20) [0314] the opaque adhesive tape on the perimeter is replaced by a black paint 82, 83, 84 on at least the three rims 532, 533 and 534 facing the coupling rim 531 of the diodes 4.

[0315] The diode support 3 can be glued to the coupling rim by its front face 31.

[0316] FIG. 8′ represents a partial perspective and exploded schematic view of a light glazing 700 in a seventh embodiment according to the invention. FIG. 9 represents a partial perspective and exploded schematic view of the light glazing 700 of the seventh embodiment.

[0317] The glazing 700 differs from the glazing 200 of the second embodiment in that: [0318] the diodes 4 are not in a cavity of the guide 5 but over all the perimeter of the rim 53 of the guide, it is possible to choose four sets of diodes 4, 4′, 4a, 4b on distinct supports 3, 3′, 3a, 3b linked together by link 33 for the four longitudinal and lateral rims of the rectangular guide 4, it is possible to have one or more common diode supports alternatively (flexible support to this end) [0319] the opaque adhesive tape on the rim 53 is eliminated because the diode supports 3, 3′, 3a, 3b are opaque.

[0320] Each diode support 3, 3′, 3a, 3b can be glued to the coupling rim by its front face.

[0321] The light glazing 700 also comprises a masking cover 7′ (see FIG. 9), for example black or white plastic, light sources, source supports and here, also control means 92, said cover covering the rear masking element, possibly fixing the light guide onto the face F2.

[0322] The cover 7′ is also masked from the outside by the masking zone 2.

[0323] This cover can also serve in other embodiments, notably of FIGS. 8 and 8′, to protect the diodes 4.

[0324] FIG. 9′ represents a partial perspective and exploded schematic view of the light glazing 800 in an eighth embodiment according to the invention.

[0325] The glazing 800 differs from the glazing 600 of the sixth embodiment in that: [0326] the diodes 4 are side-emitting, the rear face of the diode support 3 being fixed onto the face F2 [0327] the front face of the diode support 3 comprises control means for the diodes 92 [0328] the coupling rim 533 is the longitudinal rim of the outer border side of the masking layer 2, the black paint 81, 82, 84 is on the other rims of the guide 5.

[0329] The light glazing 800 also comprises a masking cover 7′ with opaque flanges 73 and a visible and opaque outer face 72′, for example black or white plastic, in order to mask the diodes and the diode support 3, said cover covering the rear masking element, possibly fixing the light guide 5 onto the face F2. The cover 7′ is also masked from the outside by the masking zone 2.

[0330] FIG. 10 represents a partial front schematic view of the light glazing 900 in a ninth embodiment according to the invention.

[0331] The glazing 900 differs from the glazing 600 of the sixth embodiment in that: [0332] the light guide 5 extends into a zone so-called peripheral zone devoid of encapsulation 90 (leaving the rim 13 of the sheet 3 and the outer masking border 20′ visible), that can notably be housed between a vehicle edge and bodywork of the vehicle in mounted position [0333] the coupling rim of the guide 5 is the longitudinal rim closest to the rim 13 of the sheet 1, the black paint (or opaque scotch tape) 81, 82, 83 is on the other rims [0334] the front face of the diode support 3 comprises an adhesive 34 for fixing to the rim of the guide 5 and the control means of the diodes (not shown) [0335] the front face of the diode support 3 comprises the control means of the diodes (not shown) linked to a wiring (not shown), notably that can be housed between a vehicle edge and bodywork of the vehicle in mounted position and connected to a vehicle control unit.

[0336] The light glazing 900 can also comprise a masking cover (not shown) with opaque flanges and a visible and opaque outer face, for example black or white plastic, in order to mask the diodes and the diode support 3, said cover covering the rear masking element.

[0337] FIG. 11 represents, in a tenth embodiment of light glazing 1000, a schematic view showing, respectively on the left and on the right, four configurations a), b), c) and d) in descending order of preference of superpositioning (from left to right) [0338] of the rear masking element 7, which is, in preferred embodiment, a covering background opaque in a), b) and c) or that reproduces (in the same size or larger) the diffusing patterns 61 in d) [0339] of the light guide 5 with the diffusing patterns 61 in the form of signage in a), c) and d) or forming a diffusing background in b) [0340] and of the masking zone 2 with the first unmasked zone 25 reproducing the signage of diffusing pattern 61 in a) and d) or forming the signage in b) or even forming a frame unmasked zone in c) leaving the patterns 61 visible.

[0341] FIG. 12 represents, in an eleventh embodiment according to the invention, a schematic side view of a car 1100 incorporating fixed light glazings according to the invention (side window, preferably single, windshield, notably laminated, light, preferably single), notably: [0342] with a see-throught portion 11a [0343] on the face F2, a masking frame 2, for example in black or gray enamel (visible by transparency of the face 11 called F1) and masking frame comprising at least one first unmasked zone 25.

[0344] FIG. 13 represents, in a twelfth embodiment, a schematic side view of a people carrier 1200 incorporating light glazings according to the invention fixed according to the invention (side window, windshield, light), notably with a see-throught portion, a masking frame 2 (visible by transparency of face 11 called F1) and comprising at least one first unmasked zone 25 on the face F2.

[0345] FIG. 14 represents, in a thirteenth embodiment according to the invention, a partial schematic perspective view from the front of a car 1300 incorporating a dome (or, as a variant, a front vent light) comprising a border, extending on the top boundary of the windshield, with a masking strip 2 comprising the first unmasked zone 25.

[0346] This is a single glazing, for example made of plastic (PMMA, PC), or a laminated glazing.