Luminous glazing unit with optical isolator

Abstract

A luminous glazing unit includes a glass substrate, an additional element that is tinted an optical isolator between the glass substrate and the additional element, a light source, optically coupled to the glass substrate, and a light-extracting device associated with the glass substrate. The optical isolator includes a low-index film, made of fluoropolymer-based material which: has a refractive index n2 at 550 nm such that n1-n2 is at least 0.08, has a thickness e2 of at least 600 nm, is in optical contact with the first main face by a first lamination interlayer, based on a thermoplastic material.

Claims

1. A luminous glazing unit comprising: a first glass substrate, made of mineral glass having a refractive index n1 of less than 1.6 at 550 nm, with first and second main faces and an edge face, and in optical contact with the first main face: an additional element which is tinted, scattering, or reflective, an optical isolator inserted between the first glass substrate and the additional element, the optical isolator having a refractive index of less than n1 at 550 nm, a light source, optically coupled to the first glass substrate, the first glass substrate configured to guide the light emitted by the light source, a light-extracting device associated with the first glass substrate, wherein the optical isolator comprises a low-index film, made of fluoropolymer-based material which: has a refractive index n2 at 550 nm such that n1-n2 is at least 0.08, has a thickness e2 of at least 600 nm, is in optical contact with the first main face by a first lamination interlayer, based on a thermoplastic material which has a refractive index n3 at 550 nm such that n3-n1, as an absolute value, is less than 0.05.

2. The luminous glazing unit as claimed in claim 1, wherein the low-index film has a first main surface in contact with the first lamination interlayer and a second main surface opposite the first main surface, the first main surface being treated by an adhesion-promoting treatment.

3. The luminous glazing unit as claimed in claim 1, wherein the fluoropolymer is ETFE or FEP.

4. The luminous glazing unit as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first lamination interlayer comprises a sheet of EVA.

5. The luminous glazing unit as claimed in claim 1, wherein the low-index film has a first main surface in contact with the first lamination interlayer and a second main surface opposite the first main surface, wherein the glazing unit additionally comprises: a second polymeric lamination interlayer in adhesive contact with the second main surface, a second glass substrate, made of mineral or organic glass bonded to the second lamination interlayer via a bonding face, the second interlayer and/or the second glass substrate forming the additional element or bearing the additional element.

6. The luminous glazing unit as claimed in claim 5, wherein the first lamination interlayer comprises a first sheet of PVB in adhesive contact with the first main face and with a first sheet of EVA which is in adhesive contact with the low-index film and wherein the second lamination interlayer comprises a second sheet of PVB in adhesive contact with the bonding face and with a second sheet of EVA which is in adhesive contact with the low-index film.

7. The luminous glazing unit as claimed in claim 5, wherein the second lamination interlayer is tinted and/or is laminated with the second glass substrate that is tinted and/or bears a tinted film oriented on a side of the lamination interlayer or main face opposite the lamination.

8. The luminous glazing unit as claimed in claim 5, wherein the first lamination interlayer, the low-index film, and the second interlayer are set back from the edge face of the first glass substrate, leaving a groove between the first main face and the bonding face of the second glass substrate, and a carrier for the light source projects into the groove without being in optical contact with the first face.

9. The luminous glazing unit as claimed in claim 5, wherein the second glass substrate projects beyond the edge face or the first glass substrate comprises a peripheral recess and the light source on a source carrier is in the peripheral recess or a projecting zone not projecting beyond an edge face of the second glass substrate and even beyond a plane of the second face, and the source carrier is attached to the bonding face in the projecting zone or the peripheral recess and/or in a groove between the first face and the bonding face.

10. The luminous glazing unit as claimed in claim 5, wherein the bonding face of the second substrate is coated with a decorative and/or masking layer, which is peripheral and on a side of the optical coupling, or distributed and substantially covering the bonding face or wherein a face opposite the bonding face of the second substrate is coated with a decorative and/or masking layer, which is peripheral and on the side of the optical coupling, or distributed and substantially covering the face opposite the bonding face.

11. A luminous glazing unit comprising: a first glass substrate, made of an organic glass having a refractive index n1 of less than 1.6 at 550 nm, with first and second main faces and an edge face, and in optical contact with the first main face: an additional element which is tinted, scattering, or reflective, an optical isolator inserted between the first glass substrate and the additional element, the optical isolator having a refractive index of less than n1 at 550 nm, a light source, optically coupled to the first glass substrate, the first glass substrate configured to guide the light emitted by the light source, a light-extracting device associated with the first glass substrate, wherein the optical isolator comprises a low-index film, made of fluoropolymer-based material which: has a refractive index n2 at 550 nm such that n1-n2 is at least 0.08, has a thickness e2 of at least 600 nm, is in optical contact with the first main face by a first lamination interlayer, based on a thermoplastic material which has a refractive index n3 at 550 nm such that n3-n1, as an absolute value, is less than 0.05 wherein the low-index film has a first main surface in contact with the first lamination interlayer and a second main surface opposite the first main surface, the luminous glazing unit additionally comprises: a second polymeric lamination interlayer in adhesive contact with the second main surface, a second glass substrate bonded to the second lamination interlayer via a bonding face, the second interlayer and/or the second glass substrate forming the additional element or bearing the additional element.

12. The luminous glazing unit as claimed in claim 1, wherein the low-index film partially covers the first glass substrate, thus having a first optical isolation zone, the first optical isolation zone closer to the light source than the extracting device and wherein a luminous zone, adjacent to the first optical isolation zone, comprises a light extracting device.

13. The luminous glazing unit as claimed in claim 1, comprising an electrically controllable system having variable optical properties.

14. The luminous glazing unit as claimed in claim 1, wherein a scattering layer that is white is part of or forms the extracting device on the opposite side from the first lamination interlayer or on the side of the first lamination interlayer in a zone free of the optical isolator.

15. The luminous glazing unit as claimed in claim 1, wherein the extracting device is a scattering device, in the form of a surface texturing, or of a scattering layer or a scattering sticker and/or form a light concentrator.

16. The luminous glazing unit as claimed in claim 1, wherein the light source is an array of light-emitting diodes on a printed circuit board and coupled to the edge face of the first glass substrate.

17. The luminous glazing unit as claimed in claim 1, wherein the luminous glazing unit forms a luminous glazing unit for a vehicle.

18. The luminous glazing unit as claimed in claim 1, wherein the luminous glazing unit forms a luminous glazing unit for a building, for street furniture or for interior furniture, or for domestic or professional refrigerated equipment.

19. The luminous glazing unit as claimed in claim 2, wherein the adhesion-promoting treatment is a corona treatment.

20. The luminous glazing unit as claimed in claim 17, wherein the luminous glazing unit is a luminous laminated glazed roof.

21. The luminous glazing unit as claimed in claim 8, wherein the carrier is a printed circuit board.

22. The luminous glazing unit as claimed in claim 13, wherein the electrically controllable system includes liquid crystals or a light valve, or electrochrome or thermochrome.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) FIG. 1 shows a partial cross-sectional view of a luminous glazing unit in accordance with an embodiment of the invention;

(2) FIG. 2 shows a partial cross-sectional view of a luminous glazing unit with an optical isolator according to a second embodiment of the invention;

(3) FIG. 3 shows a partial cross-sectional view of a luminous glazing unit with an optical isolator according to a third embodiment of the invention;

(4) FIG. 4 shows a partial cross-sectional view of a luminous glazing unit with an optical isolator according to a fourth embodiment of the invention;

(5) FIG. 5 shows a partial cross-sectional view of a luminous glazing unit with an optical isolator according to a fifth embodiment of the invention;

(6) FIG. 6 shows a partial cross-sectional view of a luminous glazing unit with an optical isolator according to a sixth embodiment of the invention;

(7) FIG. 7 shows a partial cross-sectional view of a luminous glazing unit with an optical isolator according to a seventh embodiment of the invention;

(8) FIG. 8 shows a partial cross-sectional view of a luminous glazing unit with an optical isolator according to an eighth embodiment of the invention;

(9) FIG. 9 shows a partial cross-sectional view of a luminous glazing unit with an optical isolator according to a ninth embodiment of the invention, and

(10) FIG. 10 shows a partial cross-sectional view of a luminous glazing unit with an optical isolator according to a tenth embodiment of the invention.

EXAMPLES OF LUMINOUS GLAZING UNITS

(11) FIG. 1 shows a partial cross-sectional view of a luminous glazing unit 100 with an optical isolator in a first embodiment comprising: a first glass substrate 1, referred to as guiding glass pane, which is glazing here of rectangular shape that is flat or as a variant curved, made of clear or extra-clear soda-lime-silica glass (preferably of around 6 mm for example for a building or of at most 3 mm for a motor vehicle), having a refractive index n1 of around 1.5 at 550 nm, a T.sub.L of at least 90%, with a first main face 11, referred to as an inner face, and a second main face 12, referred to as an outer face, and a first edge face 13, a light source 4, here an array of light-emitting diodes 4 on a printed circuit board, referred to as a PCB carrier 41, said source being optically coupled to the edge face 13, referred to as the guiding edge face of the guiding glass pane, the guiding glass pane guiding the light emitted by the diodes that are preferably at a distance (spaced apart or bonded) at most 2 mm away from the guiding edge face, diodes preferably being centered on the edge face and having a width of less than the thickness of the glass pane 1, light-extracting means 6 associated with the guiding glass pane, here on the inner face 11, which are a, preferably white, scattering layer preferably having a lightness L* of at least 50, preferably a scattering enamel, or as a variant a frosting of the second face or else an optical concentrator, extracting means here made up of several scattering features forming a plurality of luminous zones (or one uniform luminous zone if they are close enough) or as a variant a solid, for example single and central, luminous zone.

(12) The inner face 11 in addition successively comprises: a first lamination interlayer 7 made of thermoplastic material, preferably EVA or even PVB or PU, or else PVB surmounted by an EVA that is generally of submillimeter size, transparent for example clear, having an inner surface 71 in adhesive contact with the inner face 11 and an outer surface 72, a low-index film 2, preferably ETFE or even FEP and with a thickness of at least 50 m having main faces 21, 22 treated by corona treatment, in adhesive contact with the EVA 7 preferably (EVA alone or EVA on PVB), a second lamination interlayer 7 made of thermoplastic material, preferably EVA or even PVB or PU, or else PVB surmounted by an EVA that is generally of submillimeter size, transparent for example clear, identical to the first lamination interlayer, preferably EVA in adhesive contact with the low-index film (EVA alone or EVA on PVB), a second glass substrate 1, made of mineral glass, for example identical to the guiding glass pane with a bonding main face 11 on the second lamination interlayer side 7 and an opposite face 12.

(13) The face opposite the bonding face 11 directly (or via an adhesion primer) bears a decorative and/or masking first coating 5, for example a continuous layer of paint and preferably a lacquer, that is colored (white and black included) preferably having a color different from the extracting means 6, or arranged as separate or continuous colored discrete features of one color or of different colors, for example produced by masking or by screen printing. As a variant, the bonding face 11 bears this decoration. The guiding glass pane 1 may be tempered or curved and tempered, as well as the second glass substrate.

(14) The extracting enamel 6 for example has the following composition: between 20% and 60% by weight of SiO.sub.2, 10% to 45% by weight of especially micron-sized refractory pigments, including TiO.sub.2, and preferably no more than 20% by weight of alumina and/or zinc oxide.

(15) The TiO.sub.2 pigments make the enamel sufficiently opaque (that the enamel can be seen in the off-state) and lower the T.sub.L.

(16) Examples of enamel compositions include the enamel called Ferro 194011 sold by FERRO, the enamel of reference AF5000 sold by JM and the enamel of reference VV30-244-1 sold by Pemco.

(17) The enamel here is screen printed, or as a variant printed. The extracting means may form a plurality of luminous features, for example as wide peripheral bands and/or more discrete, in particular geometric features. The luminous features form a decoration, signage, logo or trademark. The lighting may be continuous or flashing and/or of variable color.

(18) Other diodes may be added to the edge face opposite the edge face 13 (not shown here) especially in the case of a glazing unit of large size and/or with a plurality of separate centimeter-sized features (with a large extraction surface).

(19) In order to see, through the guiding glass pane, a portion of the continuous background of lacquer (or enamel or other paint), it may be desirable for the luminous zone not to be distributed substantially over the entire glazing unit (to thus prevent extraction over the entire inner face bearing the extracting means).

(20) The face 12 opposite the bonding face 11 may be a free surface of the luminous glazing unit, which is visible and even accessible (touchable).

(21) After installation of the luminous glazing unit, this free surface may be facing a glazed side of a building (wall, partition, ceiling, roof) or even of a vehicle.

(22) The luminous glazing unit 100 forms for example in order to form a partition, a ceiling, a floor, a decorative wall panel.

(23) The second substrate 1 coated with lacquer 5 may be the product Planilaque Evolution or Dcolaque from the Applicant, with a large range of (hot, cold metalized) available tints. A paint formulation may be deposited according to the curtain-coating method. The solvent is xylene or as a variant water. After it has been dried, the lacquer for example contains the following ingredients: a binder in the form of a polyurethane resin obtained by crosslinking, with a non-aromatic isocyanate, of hydroxylated acrylic resins resulting from the polymerization of an acrylic styrene; and mineral materials (pigments and fillers) in an amount of 55% by weight.

(24) It is even possible to insert an electrically controllable system having variable optical properties, namely the following sequence, onto the low-index film: second PVB or EVA or PVB+EVA/first transparent electrode carrier such as PET/first transparent electrode in particular ITO or silver multilayer/layer of liquid crystals/second transparent electrode in particular ITO or silver multilayer/second transparent electrode carrier such as PET/third PVB or EVA or PVB+EVA. In the off state, the system is opaque and in the on state the system is transparent and reveals the first coating 5 made of decorative lacquer.

(25) FIG. 2 shows a partial cross-sectional view of a luminous glazing unit 200 with an optical isolator in a second embodiment.

(26) Only differences relative to the first embodiment are described. The luminous glazing unit 200 differs as follows.

(27) The face 12 opposite the bonding face 11 comprises a peripheral opaque enamel 5 for example a masking (black, dark) or decorative enamel.

(28) The extracting means 6 form a single luminous zone, for example a band.

(29) As a variant, this enamel is on the bonding face or the second interlayer is printed with a masking layer.

(30) FIG. 3 shows a partial cross-sectional view of a luminous glazing unit 300 with an optical isolator in a third embodiment.

(31) Only differences relative to the first embodiment are described. The luminous glazing unit 300 differs as follows.

(32) The low-index film 2 is discontinuous (forming first and second optical isolation zones 24 and 25 that are separated by a discontinuity 23, which here is central), leaving a zone (which here is central) where the first lamination interlayer 7 is directly in contact with the second lamination interlayer 7, which is then preferably clear or extra-clear. The discontinuity 23 may be surrounded by the optical isolator 7 (as a closed feature).

(33) It is possible to have a plurality of discontinuities to order. During the manufacture, it is possible to add a thickness of lamination interlayer material in the discontinuity (in addition to sheet(s) for the first interlayer and sheet(s) for the second layer) in order to facilitate the formation of the solid lamination zone.

(34) The extracting means 6 are formed by the paint or lacquer 6, chosen as white, preferably on the bonding face 11 (or alternatively a white enamel), or even the opposite face. Mention may be made by way of example of the extra-white paint of the Planilaque Evolution product from the Applicant, with TiO.sub.2 being the predominant pigment. The thickness is typically between 40 and 60 m.

(35) Alternatively, on the bonding face 11, the lacquer is white (such as the Planilaque Evolution extra-white product) in the zone facing the discontinuity. Furthermore, one or more zones of colors, for example bright colors, may exist.

(36) Alternatively, one face of the first or second lamination interlayer 7 or 7 comprises a scattering layer, for example is a PVB printed, preferably locally, at least in this zone, which here is central.

(37) FIG. 4 shows a partial cross-sectional view of a luminous glazing unit 400 with an optical isolator in a fourth embodiment.

(38) Only differences relative to the second embodiment are described. The luminous glazing unit 400 differs as follows.

(39) The second substrate 1 comprises, on its face 12 opposite the bonding face 11, a tinted element 51, for example a plastic film such as a tinted PET bonded by an optical adhesive or by a lamination interlayer (PVB, etc.), in particular that is clear or extra-clear.

(40) The extracting means 6 are moved to the second (outer) face side 12. These may be extracting means that are removable or erasable such as a sticker or an ink. Of course, it is possible to combine permanent and temporary extracting means.

(41) FIG. 5 shows a partial cross-sectional view of a luminous glazing unit 500 with an optical isolator in a fifth embodiment.

(42) Only differences relative to the first embodiment are described. The luminous glazing unit 500 differs as follows.

(43) As a replacement for (or as a variant in addition to) the decorative paint 5, an electrically controllable system having variable optical properties 52, here having liquid crystals, is inserted between the inner face 11 and the bonding face 11, namely the following sequence: the first lamination interlayer 7 (EVA or even PVB or PVB+EVA)/the low-index film 2/second lamination interlayer 7 (EVA or even PVB or PVB+EVA)/a first transparent electrode carrier 81 such as PET/first transparent electrode 82 in particular ITO (indium tin oxide) or silver multilayer/layer based on liquid crystals 83/second transparent electrode 84 in particular ITO or silver multilayer/second transparent electrode carrier 85 such as PET/third interlayer PVB or EVA 7.

(44) In the off state, the system is opaque and in the on state the system is transparent. The second glass pane 1 is for example tinted or identical to the glass panel.

(45) The extracting means (not represented) are for example analogous, a scattering layer, such as a white enamel, on the inner face 11 or as a variant on the outer face 12.

(46) FIG. 6 shows a partial cross-sectional view of a luminous glazing unit 600 with an optical isolator in a sixth embodiment.

(47) Only differences relative to the second embodiment are described. The luminous glazing unit 600 differs as follows.

(48) The decorative and/or masking first coating is replaced by a silvering-based mirror layer 50 with a conventional protective overlay (not shown) or a chromium-based two-way mirror. An illuminating mirror is therefore formed. Preferably, the mirror is visible at least in the central zone and the luminous zone(s) are peripheral (one or two solid bands or discontinuous bands based on discrete features, etc.). The extracting means 6 are for example a scattering layer on inner face 11.

(49) It is possible to add diodes to the opposite edge face (not shown).

(50) FIG. 7 shows a partial cross-sectional view of a luminous glazing unit 700 with an optical isolator in a seventh embodiment.

(51) Only differences relative to the second embodiment are described. The luminous glazing unit 700 differs as follows.

(52) The second glass substrate is made of organic glass, for example a tinted plastic film such as a tinted PET 53 preferably on the face opposite the free bonding face. For example, a cupboard door is thus formed.

(53) As a variant, the first glass substrate 1 is organic, for example PC or PMMA.

(54) FIG. 8 shows a partial cross-sectional view of a luminous glazing unit 800 with an optical isolator in an eighth embodiment.

(55) Only differences relative to the third embodiment are described. The luminous glazing unit 800 differs as follows.

(56) The second glass substrate is made of organic glass, for example a scattering film 6 that forms the extracting means in the discontinuous zone 23.

(57) FIG. 9 shows a partial cross-sectional view of a luminous glazing unit 900 with an optical isolator in a ninth embodiment.

(58) Only differences relative to the second embodiment are described. The luminous glazing unit 900 differs as follows.

(59) This luminous glazing unit 900 is used for example as a motor vehicle roof. The guiding glass pane 1 is approximately 2 mm like the second (tinted) glass pane 1.

(60) The luminous glazing unit 900 has, at the periphery, a polymeric encapsulation made of PU 90, which is black or gray, of double-sided type (flush with face 12 opposite the bonding face 11) preferably on an adhesion primer or as a variant a pre-fitted seal that is preferably flush also. The encapsulation may also be single-sided, therefore not extending to the second face 12.

(61) The space between the emitting face and the coupling edge face 13 (which is rounded, for motor vehicle type shaping) is filled with optical adhesive 9.

(62) The glass pane 1 is tinted and preferably also the second interlayer 7.

(63) The guiding glass pane 1 has a local longitudinal recess in the coupling edge face 13 in order to house the diodes 4 which have an emitting face located to the side. Adhesive 9 on the rear face of the PCB 41 is used to attach the PCB+diodes assembly to the bonding face 11. The PCB, for example which is opaque, extends laterally in the direction of the lamination interlayer 7 and is used for masking the hot spots. It extends into a groove between the bonding face and the first face by a setting back of the first and second lamination interlayers, each preferably PVB+EVA, and of the low-index film.

(64) The PCB 41 is not in optical contact with the inner face 12 since there is an air gap. The PCB, here a strip, may be metallic for heat dissipation or may be on a metal base.

(65) The PVB and/or EVA of the second interlayer 7 is preferably tinted also.

(66) An opaque coating such as an enamel 5 is at the periphery of the bonding face 12 that extends between the bonding face and the second interlayer 7 also to promote the masking of the stray light that escapes. It may also be on the side of the face opposite the bonding face.

(67) The scattering layer for the extraction is on the outer face 12. The adhesive at the back and/or the adhesive with the coupling edge face 13 may be removed.

(68) As a variant, the extracting means 6 form an optical concentrator, for a reading light for example.

(69) FIG. 10 shows a partial cross-sectional view of a luminous glazing unit 1000 with an optical isolator in a tenth embodiment.

(70) Only differences relative to the ninth embodiment are described. The luminous glazing unit 1000 differs as follows.

(71) The application here is in buildings, for example as a partition. The edge faces of the glazings 1, 1 are straight, the glazings 1, 1 are thicker, for example of 4 or 6 mm approximately. The scattering layer for the extraction is on the inner face and not the outer face 12. The polymeric encapsulation is eliminated (optional)

(72) As a variant, the layer 5 is eliminated. It is possible to use a (metallic, plastic, wood, etc.) mounting profile for the luminous glazing unit, for example of L-shaped or U-shaped cross section projecting over the faces 12 and 12 without being in optical contact preferably with the face 12. This mounting profile may also be used to mask the hot spots on the outer face side and/or on the side of the face opposite the bonding face.

(73) As a variant, the face 12 opposite the bonding face 11 is for example completely frosted 120 or partially frosted, such as the Satinovo glass from the Applicant.

(74) Instead of making a local recess in the guiding glass pane 1, it is possible to move the second glass pane in order to make it project and even to select a smaller first glass pane in order to avoid an offsetting of the edge faces opposite the side of the optical coupling.

(75) The emitting face is spaced preferably at most 1 mm away from the coupling edge face (without optical adhesive).

(76) As a variant, top-emitting diodes are used, the PCB carrier is then opposite the coupling edge face and for example bonded by an optical adhesive or a transparent double-sided adhesive or else use is made of a preferably metallic U-shaped or L-shaped diode attachment profile (not projecting beyond the edge face of the second glazing 1 preferably) with a base at the rear of the PCB carrier and one flange attached to the bonding face in the projecting zone and optionally another flange on the opposite side. The flange(s) may be used to mask the hot spots.