Laminated vehicle glazing with AMOLED screen

Abstract

A laminated vehicle glazing includes within the laminate an AMOLED screen and an electrical connection element of the AMOLED screen connected to an interface housing on the face F4 and containing one or more electronic components notably for controlling the AMOLED screen, the interface housing also being connected to a wired power supply system.

Claims

1. A laminated vehicle glazing, comprising: a first glazing, with a first main face, to be oriented on the outside of the vehicle, and a second opposite main face, the first glazing of thickness E1; a lamination interlayer of polymeric substance, on the second main face side, the lamination interlayer of thickness E2; a second glazing, with a third main face on the lamination interlayer side and a fourth opposite main face, to be oriented on the inside of the vehicle, the second glazing of thickness E1, at least one of the first and second glazings being made of mineral glass, between the second main face and the third main face, an organic light-emitting diode-based viewing screen, comprising a set of pixels, the organic light-emitting diode-based viewing screen comprising a zone of dynamic information display, the organic light-emitting diode-based viewing is of thickness E3 less than E2, the organic light-emitting diode-based viewing screen having a front main face oriented toward the third main face and a rear face oriented toward the second main face, the organic light-emitting diode-based viewing screen being covered by a non-zero thickness of lamination interlayer, an electrical connection element of the organic light-emitting diode-based viewing screen, with a flexible connecting part between the second main face and the third main face with a front surface on the third main face side and a rear surface on the second main face side, the flexible connecting part covered by a non-zero thickness of lamination interlayer, the electrical connection element being of thickness E4 less than E2, linked to the organic light-emitting diode-based viewing screen and extending the organic light-emitting diode-based viewing screen in the direction of the lip of the second glazing, the electrical connection element then extending outside of the lip of the second glazing via an exterior part, wherein the organic light-emitting diode-based viewing screen is flexible and the electrical connection element comprises a terminal part which is against on the fourth main face, and wherein the glazing comprises, on the fourth main face, an interface housing connected to the terminal part of the electrical connection element and enclosing one or more electronic components, the interface housing furthermore being connected with a wired power supply system on one and the same edge or on a distinct edge of the interface housing.

2. The laminated vehicle glazing as claimed in claim 1, wherein the electrical connection element is flexible and comprises a flexible connecting part between the second main face and the third main face with a front surface on the third main face side and a rear surface on the second main face side, the electrical connection element being of thickness E4 less than E2, linked to the organic light-emitting diode-based viewing screen and extending the organic light-emitting diode-based viewing screen in the direction of the lip of the second glazing, the electrical connection element extending outside of the lip of the second glazing by an exterior part which is curved.

3. The laminated vehicle glazing as claimed in claim 1, wherein the interface housing is connected to a wired data signals transport system for the wherein screen, the wired system being on one and the same edge of the interface housing or on a distinct edge as for the wired power supply system.

4. The laminated vehicle glazing as claimed in claim 1, wherein the interface housing contains a receiver of data arising from a local wireless communication network transporting data for the organic light-emitting diode-based viewing screen.

5. The laminated vehicle glazing as claimed in claim 1, wherein the interface housing is mounted on the terminal part or is adjacent to the terminal part and connected to an end of the terminal part and against or fixed to said fourth main face.

6. The laminated vehicle glazing as claimed in claim 1, wherein the interface housing is made of plastic.

7. The laminated vehicle glazing as claimed in claim 1, wherein the connecting part is of submicronic thickness E4 and the terminal part is of thickness E4 less than E4.

8. The laminated vehicle glazing as claimed in claim 1, wherein the organic light-emitting diode-based viewing screen is transparent and in a clear window region or wherein the organic light-emitting diode-based viewing screen is masked by an external masking layer between the rear face of the organic light-emitting diode-based viewing screen and the second main face, and/or the electrical connection element is masked from the exterior by an external masking layer between the rear surface and the second main face.

9. The laminated vehicle glazing as claimed in claim 1, wherein the second glazing bears on the third main face or the fourth main face an internal masking layer configured to mask from the interior: the technical edge or edges of the organic light-emitting diode-based viewing screen and optional other organic light-emitting diode-based viewing screen(s) that is or are adjacent or on distinct longitudinal edges and to mask even a junction zone between the lamination interlayer and the organic light-emitting diode-based viewing screen or optional other organic light-emitting diode-based viewing screen(s), and/or the electrical connection element or elements of the organic light-emitting diode-based viewing screen and optional other organic light-emitting diode-based viewing screen(s) that is or are adjacent or on distinct longitudinal edges.

10. The laminated vehicle glazing as claimed in claim 1, wherein technical edge or edges of the organic light-emitting diode-based viewing screen and of optional other organic light-emitting diode-based viewing screen(s) are masked by an interior masking element on the organic light-emitting diode-based viewing screen, and/or the electrical connection element or elements are masked by said interior masking element or another adjacent one.

11. The laminated vehicle glazing as claimed in claim 1, wherein the organic light-emitting diode-based viewing screen and/or the connecting part has a thickness at most equal to 0.8 mm.

12. The laminated vehicle glazing as claimed in claim 1, wherein the laminated vehicle glazing forms a windshield of a road vehicle, with the first and second glazing cambered.

Description

(1) The present invention will be better understood and other details and advantageous characteristics of the invention will be apparent on reading the examples of laminated vehicle glazings according to the invention and illustrated by the following figures:

(2) FIGS. 1, 1, and 1a, are each a face-on schematic view of a windshield with AMOLED screen of an automotive vehicle, inside view

(3) FIGS. 1bis, 1bis are face-on and detail schematic views of a windshield with AMOLED screen of an automotive vehicle, inside view

(4) FIGS. 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 are sectional and partial schematic views of a windshield with AMOLED screen of an automotive vehicle, inside view.

(5) It is specified that out of concern for clarity the various elements of the objects represented are not necessarily reproduced to scale. For simplicity, the glazings are not represented cambered nor are the flexible elements in the lamination represented curved while adapting to this or these curvatures (in two dimensions) of glazing.

(6) FIG. 1 is a partial schematic representation viewed from the interior of a windshield with AMOLED screen 100 of an automotive vehicle.

(7) The windshield 100 comprises a clear view central zone (central part of the interior glazing therefore face F4 side 14) and an external masking peripheral frame 5, bottom 15a and top 15b, left lateral 15c and right lateral 15d longitudinal edges, frame here masking the rear of the opaque or slightly transparent AMOLED screen 3 (not transparent enough to be in the clear window region). The external masking layer 5, on face F2, thus hides from a view of the exterior of the vehicle the AMOLED screen 3 (and its connector not represented here, preferably in the laminate). The function of the enamel 5 is first to hide, viewed from the face F1, the glue bead fastening the final laminated glazing to the bodywork bay.

(8) The AMOLED screen is arranged in a central position of the top longitudinal edge 15b in a horizontal manner and is rectangular. It is (all or part) in a so-called widened zone the width (vertical dimension) L1 of whose enamel is larger than the adjacent width L0 (for example on the left) serving for the conventional and even copilot side masking. For example, the horizontal dimension or width W3 is at least 120 mm and even up to 250 mm. The vertical dimension or height H3 is at least 75 mm.

(9) Here the AMOLED screen 3 is down at the bottom-most of the widened peripheral zone. Its bottom edge 34 is in proximity to or on the boundary of the enamel flat patch 51 (solid zone) rather than on the boundary of the optional zone with enamel patterns for example at most 15 mm in width. Its top edge 34 can be as high as possible (to the limit of the zone of vision in the cabin), typically at least 15 mm and better at least 70 mm. This depends on the design of the windshield (size, inclination, clear view desired by the maker).

(10) The edges 53, 53 of the widened enamel zone 50 can protrude beyond the lateral edges 33 and 33 for example by at most 2 cm or even 1 or 0.5 cm (limit of the solid zone). In the off state, the AMOLED screen is dark and is even barely if at all distinguishable from the enamel background 5 (protruding over the sides). It is possible to adapt the enamel color accordingly. Preferably the enamel is opaque and dark.

(11) The AMOLED screen is here in a distinct peripheral zone from the transparent central zone termed zone A Z.sub.A (the most central and in two parts, quadrilateral-like) or of the restricted zone B Z.sub.b (dashed).

(12) On the lit AMOLED screen 3, it is possible to see the central vision of the rear of the vehicle and preferably the lateral visions of the vehicle.

(13) The AMOLED screen can have the rear vision function. It can also have other functions such as: telephone mode, television mode, display of environmental data or data on the road (maps, GPS etc) or on the vehicle, simultaneous display on one or more screen zones (for example in the manner of a mobile telephone screen).

(14) In a variant, not shown, the AMOLED screen is on the drivers side top longitudinal edge. It is higher but can be wider than in the central zone and protrude into the central zone (away from projecting enamel zone).

(15) As a variant, not shown, the AMOLED screen is on the drivers side bottom longitudinal edge in the vision zone. It can be wider than in the central zone.

(16) As a variant, not shown, the AMOLED screen is on the drivers side bottom lateral edge and is arranged vertically as low down as possible in the vision zone.

(17) The interface housing (peripheral) is not represented.

(18) FIG. 1 is a partial schematic representation viewed from the interior of a windshield 100 with AMOLED screen of an automotive vehicle.

(19) The windshield 100 differs from that in FIG. 1 in that the AMOLED screen is arranged in a vertical manner (H3 larger and W3 smaller). For example H3 is 150 mm to 300 mm and W3 is 60 mm to 120 mm.

(20) The interface housing (peripheral) is not represented.

(21) As a variant, not shown, two AMOLED screens are disposed in this central zone on either side of the AMOLED screen: for example also arranged in a vertical manner for example arranged in a horizontal manner

(22) FIG. 1a is a partial schematic representation viewed from the interior of a windshield 100a with AMOLED screen of an automotive vehicle.

(23) The windshield 100a differs from that in FIG. 1 in that the AMOLED screen is arranged in a transparent zone (required) for example with the top edge 34 at the limit of the solid zone 51. The interface housing (peripheral) is not represented.

(24) FIG. 1bis is a face-on and detail schematic view of a windshield 100bis with AMOLED screen of an automotive vehicle, inside view.

(25) For simplicity the exterior masking layer is not represented although it covers the zone of the AMOLED screen (which is peripheral, opaque or slightly transparent). The solid-line elements are seen by transparency through the interior glazing 1.

(26) As in FIG. 1, the AMOLED screen 3 is arranged horizontally in the central zone of the top longitudinal edge 15b. The windshield 100bis comprises an exterior mineral glass sheet 1 and an interior mineral glass sheet 1 whose upper edge 15b exhibits a notch 11.

(27) The AMOLED screen 3 is sandwiched between the exterior glass sheet 1 and the interior glass sheet 1. It exhibits a display zone 32 flanked by one or more technical edges (here four) in narrow lateral peripheral 33 and 33, bottom 34, top 34 bands generally at least 0.5 mm in width. It is supplied through an electrical connection element 4 of the AMOLED screen 3 which comprises: a flexible so-called connecting part 40 between the face F2 and the face F3 within the lamination interlayer with a front surface on the face F3 side and a rear surface on the face F2 side, of thickness E4 less than that E2 of the lamination interlayer, linked to the AMOLED screen and extending the AMOLED screen in the direction of the lip of the second glazing, extended outside of the lip of the second glazing by a flexible so-called exterior part 45, curved and fixed by gluing on face F4 without stretching as far as the display zone 32 via a so-called terminal part 47 terminated by its connector 8 in a zone accessible at the time of mounting/dismantling.

(28) The connection element 4 is a flexible printed circuit (FPC) suitable for the implementation of 25601600 pixels (AMOLED screen). The FPC 4 could also advantageously be of the same width as the AMOLED screen 3, so as to facilitate the insertion of the two elements into the lamination interlayer preferably of polyvinylbutyral (PVB set back a little with respect to the glazing edges). The interior glass 1 comprises a notch 11. The dimensions of the notch 11 are suited to the FPC 4: width of the notch 11 greater than or equal to that of the FPC 4; depth of the notch 11 greater than or equal to the thickness of the FPC 4 preferably so as to prevent the FPC 4 being visible from the exterior in a case when the edge is evident.

(29) In practice the depth of the notch 11 lies between 1.5 mm and 2 mm. The zone of the notch 11 is substantially devoid of lamination interlayer.

(30) The interface housing 70, for example parallelepipedal, is connected to the connector 8 here on a lateral edge and on another edge (here longitudinal) to a connector 71 of a power supply cable 72. d is for example a few cm.

(31) FIG. 1bis is a face-on and detail schematic view of a windshield 100bis with AMOLED screen of an automotive vehicle, inside view. For simplicity the exterior masking layer is not represented although it covers the zone of the AMOLED screen (peripherally, opaque or slightly transparent). The solid-line elements are seen by transparency through the interior glazing 1.

(32) It differs from the windshield 100bis by its arrangement vertically.

(33) The interface housing 70, for example parallelepipedal, is mounted on the terminal part 47 and connected on an edge (here lateral) to a connector 71 of a power supply cable 72. d is for example a few cm.

(34) FIG. 2 is a sectional and partial schematic view of a windshield 200 with AMOLED screen of an automotive vehicle, inside view.

(35) The windshield 200 comprises: a first glazing 1, with a first main face 11 termed F1, intended to be on the outside of the vehicle, and a second opposite main face 12 termed F2, preferably of thickness E1 of at most 2.5 mm, in particular a preferably tinted soda-lime-silica float glass sheet, with a 2.1 mm thickness of glass such as a TSA glass from the Applicant company a lamination interlayer of polymeric substance 2, on the face F2 side, of thickness E2 preferably of at least 0.76 mm such as polyvinylbutyral (PVB) a second glazing 1, with a third main face 13 termed F3 on the lamination interlayer 2 side and a fourth opposite main face 14 termed F4, intended to be on the inside of the vehicle, preferably of thickness E1 of at most 2.2 mm, in particular a soda-lime-silica float glass sheet with a 1.6 mm thickness of glass, for example tinted such as a TSA glass from the Applicant company, between the face F2 and the face F3 and within the lamination interlayer, an organic light-emitting diode-based viewing screen, comprising a set of pixels, termed a flexible AMOLED screen 3, the AMOLED screen comprising a zone of dynamic information display 32, of thickness E3 less than E2 and preferably subcentimetric, AMOLED screen having a front main face 32 oriented toward the face F3 and a rear face 31 oriented toward the face F2, the AMOLED screen is arranged peripherally, within the lamination interlayer an electrical connection element 4 of the AMOLED screen.

(36) The OLED screen 3 is therefore sandwiched between the exterior glass sheet 1 and the interior glass sheet 1. It exhibits a display zone 32 flanked by one or more technical edges (one, two, three or four) in narrow peripheral bands 34, 34 generally at least 0.5 mm in width (and less than 1 cm preferably). The AMOLED screen 3, flexible and extended directly toward an edge of the glazing, by the connection element 4 which is linked to it and extends outside the lamination.

(37) It is supplied through an electrical connection element 4 of the AMOLED screen 3 which comprises: a flexible so-called connecting part 40 between the face F2 and the face F3 within the lamination interlayer with a front surface 42 on the face F3 side and a rear surface 41 on the face F2 side, of thickness E4 less than that E2 of the lamination interlayer linked to the AMOLED screen and extending the AMOLED screen in the direction of the lip of the second glazing 1, extended outside of the lip of the second glazing via a so-called exterior part 45 and curved and fixed by gluing (on face F4 without stretching as far as the display zone 32 via a terminal part 47 terminated by its connector 8 in a zone accessible at the time of mounting/dismantling.

(38) The connection element 4 is a flexible printed circuit (FPC) suitable for the implementation of 25601600 pixels (AMOLED screen). The FPC 4 could advantageously be of the same width as the AMOLED screen 3, so as to facilitate the insertion of the two elements into the lamination interlayer (set back a little with respect to the glazing edges).

(39) The interior glass 1 comprises a notch 11. The dimensions of the notch 11 are suited to the FPC 4: width of the notch 11 greater than or equal to that of the FPC 4; depth of the notch 11 greater than or equal to the thickness of the FPC 4 preferably so as to prevent the FPC 4 being visible from the exterior in a case when the edge is evident.

(40) In practice the depth of the notch 11 lies between 1.5 mm and 2 mm. The zone of the notch 11 is substantially devoid of lamination interlayer.

(41) The interface housing 70 glued by adhesive 7a (pressure-sensitive etc.) on the face F4 14 is for example parallelepipedal is connected to the connector 8 here on a longitudinal edge and on another edge (here lateral) to a connector 71 of a power supply cable (not shown). d is for example a few cm.

(42) The AMOLED screen 3 has for example a thickness E3. The connecting part 40 can be less thick. It is optionally covered or shrouded with any material so as to increase (if necessary) the thickness E4 thereof to a value substantially equal to E3. If E4 is equal of 0.4 mm, E3 is from 0.38 to 0.40 mm. A central ply 22 of 0.38 mm is for example used for the lamination, with a reserve to house the AMOLED screen and the connecting part and two external plies 22, 23 of 0.17 mm or 0.38 mm. One of the external plies can be thicker for example 0.76 mm.

(43) It is possible to have more than 3 plies (if insertion of a polymeric film such as a PET etc) or for more mechanical protection.

(44) When the AMOLED screen is at most 0.15 mm or even 0.2 mm in thickness, it is optionally possible to eliminate the central ply during assembly.

(45) The first glazing (exterior) 1 comprises an external masking layer 5 on face F2, opaque, of black enamel preferably, with an edge 51 toward the center of the windshield and an edge 52 on the lip side of the glazing 15 for example at a distance of at most 3 or 1 mm from the lip 15.

(46) It hides not only the glue bead 7 of the trim 7 but also the AMOLED screen 3 (opaque or slightly transparent), the connecting part 40 and the off-glazing part 45 of the FPC and the part 47 and its connector 8.

(47) The external masking layer 5 is preferably a solid zone (a flat patch) rather than a network of patterns. Beyond the edge 51 it can be extended by a network of patterns (made of the same substance) for example in gradation over a width of at most 15 mm and even 5 mm and even larger if the lip 15 is the lower longitudinal edge.

(48) The second glazing 1 (interior) comprises on face F4 an internal masking layer 6 on face F4 (or as a variant F3), opaque, of black enamel preferably, with an edge 61 toward the center of the windshield an edge 65 on the notch side.

(49) This internal masking layer 6 masks from the interior the entire surface of the connecting part 40 in particular that which is in the vision zone (away from zone with trim or optional casing). It can be wider than the connecting part.

(50) This internal masking layer also masks from the interior the technical edges 34, 34 of the AMOLED screen. It can protrude for example by at most 10 mm opposite the lamination interlayer over the perimeter of the technical edges in order to mask lamination defects.

(51) When the internal masking layer 6 is thus on the perimeter of the AMOLED screen 3, an opening 63 has therefore been formed (masking or post fabrication of the layer) revealing the display zone 32.

(52) It can also protrude further beyond the technical edges so that its width is (almost equal) to that of the external masking layer 5 on either side of the AMOLED screen (and/or of the connecting part).

(53) The internal masking layer 6 is preferably a solid zone (a flat patch) rather than a network of patterns. Beyond the edge 61 it can be extended by a network of patterns (made of the same substance) for example in gradation over a width of at most 15 mm and even 5 mm and even larger if the lip of the notch 11 is the lower longitudinal edge.

(54) FIG. 3 is a sectional and partial schematic view of a windshield 300 with AMOLED screen of an automotive vehicle, inside view.

(55) The windshield 300 differs from the windshield 200 firstly in that the internal masking layer is on face F3 instead of face F4.

(56) The interface housing 70, for example parallelepipedal, is mounted by gluing 7a (adhesive, pressure-sensitive etc.) on the terminal part 47 and connected to an edge (here lateral) to a connector 71 of a power supply cable (not shown). d is for example a few cm.

(57) The width of the adhesive 7 can be increased.

(58) FIG. 4 is a sectional and partial schematic view of a windshield 400 with AMOLED screen of an automotive vehicle, inside view.

(59) It differs from the windshield 200 in that the internal masking layer 6 is replaced with an opaque (opacified) film 6 of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) that can be stuck to the whole of the AMOLED screen 3 and of the FPC 4 immediately when premounted with a view to its storage, or else form part of a film which has been stuck to this premounted assembly, from which film can then optionally be removed an undesired part precut before assembling the windshield.

(60) The opaque film 6 constitutes: a masking of the FPC 40, opaque or slightly transparent, and of the junction between the PVB 22 (central part) and the AMOLED screen 3, which can comprise irregularities and flaws, as well as a masking 61, 62 of the technical edges 34 of the AMOLED screen 3, seen from the interior side of the windshield.

(61) The opaque film 6 can also be an opacified extension of the transparent polymer material covering the AMOLED screen, that is to say be an integral part thereof.

(62) The opaque film 6 can also alternatively or cumulatively be an extension of the polymer material covering the FPC, that is to say be an integral part thereof.

(63) Moreover, the face F3 is furnished with an electroconducting layer 9 and optionally with a current infeed 9 for the latter; this layer can consist of a stack which reflects solar radiation, in silver or other, or with a heating coating/stack furnished for this purpose with its current infeed 9. It can be covered directly with a masking of the technical edge of the AMOLED screen mentioned previously.

(64) FIG. 5 is a sectional and partial schematic view of a windshield 500 with AMOLED screen of an automotive vehicle, inside view.

(65) It differs from the previous windshield 400 in that for esthetic reasons the electroconducting layer is absent at least in the zone 91 opposite the display zone 32.

(66) FIG. 6 is a sectional and partial schematic view of a windshield 600 with AMOLED screen of an automotive vehicle, inside view.

(67) It differs from the windshield 200 in that the AMOLED screen 3 is placed in a transparent vision zone of which without external masking layer 6 behind.

(68) However the masking of the exterior of the technical edges 34, 34 (and even of the PVB 22) by the external enamel layer 5,51 can be accepted. Hence the enamel layer 5 can have an opening 53 facing the AMOLED screen zone. And the masking of the interior of the technical edges 34, 34 (and even of the PVB 22) by the internal enamel layer 6,61 can be accepted. Hence the enamel layer 6 can have an opening 63 facing the AMOLED screen zone.

(69) FIG. 7 is a sectional and partial schematic view of a windshield 700 with AMOLED screen of an automotive vehicle, inside view.

(70) It differs from the windshield 600 by the replacement of the internal masking layer 6 by an opaque film 6 (as in FIG. 5) on the AMOLED screen and the FPC 40 on the front side. It is also possible to use an opaque film 6 (as in FIG. 5) on the AMOLED screen and the FPC 40 on the rear side in addition to or as replacement for the enamel of the edge 51.