PANE WITH AN ILLUMINATED SWITCH SURFACE AND A HEATING FUNCTION

Abstract

A pane with an illuminated switch surface and a heating function is described. The pane includes a transparent substrate and a heating zone that is connected to at least two busbars intended for connecting to a voltage source, such that a current path for a heating current is formed between the busbars. The pane also includes an electrically conductive structure that forms a switch surface, and that can be connected to a sensor electronics assembly. Marking of the switch surface is provided by illumination means.

Claims

1.-16. (canceled)

17. A pane with an illuminated switch surface and a heating function, the pane comprising: a transparent substrate; a heating zone connected to at least two busbars, provided for connection to a voltage source, so as to form a current path for a heating current between the at least two busbars; an electrically conductive structure that forms a switch surface and that is adapted for connection to a sensor electronics assembly; and an illumination means configured to mark the switch surface.

18. The pane according to claim 17, wherein the substrate is bonded via at least one intermediate layer to a cover pane.

19. The pane according to claim 18, wherein the intermediate layer comprises one or more of: a) polyvinyl butyral (PVB) and b) ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA).

20. The pane according to claim 17, wherein the heating zone comprises a transparent and electrically conductive layer.

21. The pane according to claim 20, wherein the electrically conductive structure and the heating zone are electrically isolated from the transparent and electrically conductive layer by at least one dividing line.

22. The pane according to claim 17, wherein the heating zone comprises one of: a) at least one heating wire, and b) at least one printed heating structure, made of an electrically conductive material.

23. The pane according to claim 17, wherein the electrically conductive structure comprises at least one linearly shaped electrically conductive element.

24. The pane according to claim 23, wherein the at least one linearly shaped electrically conductive element is a metal wire with a diameter of 0.25 mm.

25. The pane according to claim 17, wherein the illumination means comprises one of: a) a light source, and b) an LED or an OLED.

26. The pane according to claim 25, wherein the light source couples light into one or more of: a) the substrate, b) the intermediate layer, and c) the cover pane.

27. The pane according to claim 25, wherein the light source emits light directly outward out of the pane.

28. The pane according to claim 25, wherein the light source is arranged according to one of: a) laminated between the substrate and the cover pane, b) arranged on the outer side of the substrate or the outer side of the cover pane, and c) arranged in an opening in the substrate or in the cover pane.

29. The pane according to claim 25, wherein the light source is arranged in an immediate vicinity of the switch surface.

30. The pane according to claim 25, further comprising at least one light deflection means, wherein: the at least one light deflection means is arranged in a zone of one of: a) the substrate, b) the intermediate layer, and c) of the cover pane irradiated by the light of the light source, the at least one light deflection means comprises at least one structure for light scattering arranged in an immediate vicinity of the switch surface, and the at least one light deflection means couples light out of the substrate, the intermediate layer, or the cover pane.

31. The pane according to claim 30, wherein the at least one structure for light scattering comprises one or more of: a) particles, b) point grids, c) stickers, d) deposits, e) indentations, f) scratches, g) line grids, h) imprints, and i) silkscreen prints.

32. The pane according to claim 25, wherein the light source comprises two power supply connectors adapted for connection to a voltage source via electrical supply lines.

33. The pane according to claim 32, wherein the electrical supply lines are electrically isolated from the electrically conductive layer by dividing lines.

34. The pane according to claim 32, wherein the two power supply connectors are connected to the voltage supply of the heating zone via wires or via a part of the electrically conductive layer.

35. A pane arrangement, comprising: the pane according to claim 17; at least one sensor electronics assembly; and at least one voltage source electrically connected to the switch surface, to the heating zone, and to the illumination means, wherein responsive to a touch of the switch surface by a person: the sensor electronics assembly is configured to issue a switch signal for controlling the heating function of the pane, and the illumination means displays a switching state of the heating function.

36. A method for producing a pane with an illuminated switch surface and a heating function, the method comprising: applying an electrically conductive layer on a surface of a transparent substrate; forming at least one dividing line to electrically partitioning the electrically conductive layer into at least one heating zone and at least one electrically conductive structure, thereby forming a switch surface; providing at least two busbars adapted for connecting to a voltage source, and connecting he at least two busbars to the electrically conductive layer of the heating zone, thereby forming between the at least two busbars a current path for a heating current; and providing an illumination means for identifying the switch surface, at least in sections.

37. A method, comprising: using the pane according to claim 17, in one or more of: a) as a functional piece, b) as a decorative individual piece, c) as a built-in component in furniture and devices, d) in electronic devices with a cooling or heating function, e) for glazing of buildings, f) in and access or window area, g) for glazing in a motor vehicle for travel on land, in the air, or on water, h) in automobiles, buses, streetcars, subways, and trains for passenger service and for public short and long distance travel, i) as a motor vehicle door and, j) as a windshield.

Description

[0106] The invention is explained in detail with reference to drawings and exemplary embodiments. The drawings are schematic depictions and not true to scale. The drawings in no way restrict the invention.

[0107] They depict:

[0108] FIG. 1A a top plan view of an embodiment of a pane arrangement according to the invention with a pane according to the invention,

[0109] FIG. 1B an enlarged view of the detail Z of FIG. 1A in the plane of the switch surface,

[0110] FIG. 1C an enlarged view of the detail Z of FIG. 1A in the plane of the light deflection means,

[0111] FIG. 1D a cross-sectional view along the section line A-A of FIG. 1A,

[0112] FIG. 2A an alternative embodiment of a pane according to the invention in an enlarged view of the detail Z of FIG. 1A,

[0113] FIG. 2B a cross-sectional view along the section line B-B of FIG. 2A,

[0114] FIG. 3A a top plan view of an alternative embodiment of the pane according to the invention,

[0115] FIG. 3B an enlarged view of the detail Z of FIG. 3A,

[0116] FIG. 3C a cross-sectional view along the section line C-C of FIG. 3A,

[0117] FIG. 4 a detailed flow chart of one embodiment of the method according to the invention.

[0118] FIG. 1A depicts a top plan view of an exemplary embodiment of a pane arrangement 101 according to the invention with a pane 100 according to the invention. The pane 100 includes a substrate 1 and is made, for example, of soda lime glass. An electrically conductive layer 10 is applied on a surface III of the substrate 1. The electrically conductive layer 10 is a layer system, which includes, for example, three electrically conductive silver layers that are separated from each other by dielectric layers. When a current flows through the electrically conductive layer 10, it is heated as a result of its electrical resistance and Joule heat generation. Consequently, the electrically conductive layer 10 can be used for active heating of the pane 100. The dimensions of the pane 100 are, for example, 0.9 m1.5 m.

[0119] The electrically conductive layer 10 is partitioned by a dividing line 11 into a heating zone 4 and an electrically conductive structure 2 that forms a switch surface 3. In other words, both the heating zone 4 and the switch surface 3 are made from the electrically conductive layer 10, but are electrically isolated from each other by the dividing line 11. The dividing line 11 only has a width d.sub.1 of, for example, 100 m and is, for example, introduced into the electrically conductive layer 10 by laser patterning. Dividing lines 11 with such a small width are hardly perceptible and disrupt the view through the pane 100 only little, which is, especially for use in motor vehicles, of particular importance for driving safety.

[0120] For the electrical contacting of the heating zone 4, a first busbar 5.1 is arranged in the lower edge zone and another second busbar 5.2 is arranged respectively in the upper edge zone of the heating zone 4. The busbars 5.1, 5.2 contain, for example, silver particles and were applied in the screenprinting method and subsequently fired. The length of the busbars 5.1, 5.2 corresponds approx. to the dimension of the electrically conductive layer 10. The two busbars 5.1,5.2 run approx. parallel.

[0121] A light source 14, for example, a light emitting diode (LED), is arranged on the upper lateral edge of the pane 100. In the ON state, the light source 14 can couple light into the substrate 1 via its lateral edge. An illumination means 8 in the form of a light deflection means 15 is arranged on a surface IV of the substrate 1. The light of the light source 14 can leave the substrate 1 via the light deflection means 15 and thus identify the touch zone 3.1 of the switch surface 3. Even two light sources 14 can couple light, with, for example, two different colors, into the substrate 1. The switching state of the heating function can, for example, be visualized via the heating zone by means of the different colors.

[0122] FIG. 1B depicts an enlarged view of the detail Z of FIG. 1A in the plane of the switch surface 3. The switch surface 3 includes a touch zone 3.1, which is configured approx. drop-shaped and transitions into a supply line zone 3.2. Here, drop-shaped means that the touch zone 3.1 is substantially circular and tapers funnel-like on one side toward the supply line zone 3.2. The width b.sub.B of the touch zone 3.1 is, for example, 40 mm. The width b.sub.Z of the supply line zone 3.2 is, for example, 1 mm. The supply line zone 3.2 is connected to a connection zone 3.3. The connection zone 3.3 has a square shape with rounded corners and a side length b.sub.A of, for example, 12 mm. The length l.sub.Z of the supply line zone 3.2 is roughly 48 mm. The ratio b.sub.Z:b.sub.B is roughly 1:20.

[0123] The connection zone 3.3 is electrically conductively connected via an electrical line connection 20 to a foil conductor 17. The foil conductor 17 consists, for example, of a 50 m thick copper foil and is insulated, for example, outside the connection zone 3.3 with a polyimide layer. Thus, the foil conductor 17 can be guided out beyond the busbar 5.2 over the upper edge of the pane 100 without an electrical short circuit. Of course, the electrical connection of the connection zone 3.3 to the outside can also be guided outward via insulated wires or via a zone in which the busbar 5.2 is interrupted.

[0124] Here, the foil conductor 17 is, for example, connected outside the pane 100 to a capacitive sensor electronics assembly 30 that measures the capacitance changes of the switch zone 10 against ground and, as a function of the threshold value, forwards a switch signal via the connection point 19, for example, to the CAN [controller area network] bus of a motor vehicle. Any functions in the motor vehicle, for example, even the voltage source 6 and, thus, the electrical heating of the pane 100 via the heating zone 4, can be switched via the switch signal.

[0125] FIG. 1 C presents an enlarged view of the detail Z of FIG. 1A in the plane of the light deflection means 15. The light deflection means 15 is arranged on the surface IV of the substrate 1. Here, the light deflection means 15 is implemented, for example, as a roughened spot of the surface IV and has the symbol of a heated windshield. The light deflection means 15 is arranged above the switch surface 3, as seen in the viewing direction, and identifies the touch zone 3.1 of the switch surface 3. The light deflection means 15 can be configured such that it is hardly visible in daylight. Alternatively, the light deflection means 15 can be configured such that it is readily visible in daylight. After the light source 14 is switched ON, light can escape from the substrate 1 via the light deflection means 15 and a user of the pane can readily discern the position of the light deflection means 15 even at night. At the same time or alternatively, information, for example, the switching state of the heating function of the pane can be displayed by the light deflection means 15.

[0126] FIG. 1D is a cross-sectional view along the section line A-A of FIG. 1A. Here, the pane 100 includes, for example, a substrate 1 and a cover pane 12 that are connected to each other via a thermoplastic intermediate layer 13. The pane 100 is, for example, a motor vehicle window and, in particular, the windshield of a passenger car. The substrate 1 is, for example, intended to face the interior in the installed position. In other words, the side IV of the substrate 1 is accessible from the interior out, whereas, in contrast, side I of the cover pane 12 faces outward. Substrate 1 and cover pane 12 are made, for example, of soda lime glass. The thickness of the substrate 1 is, for example, 1.6 mm and the thickness of the cover pane 12 is 2.1 mm. Of course, substrate 1 and cover pane 12 can have any thicknesses and can, for example, even be implemented with the same thickness. The thermoplastic intermediate layer 13 is made of polyvinyl butyral (PVB) and has a thickness of 0.76 mm. The electrically conductive layer 10 is applied on the interior-side surface III of the substrate 1.

[0127] The electrically conductive layer 10 extends, for example, over the entire surface III of substrate 1 minus a circumferential frame-like uncoated zone with a width of 8 mm. The uncoated zone serves for electrical insulation between the voltage-carrying, electrically conductive layer 10 and the motor vehicle body. The uncoated zone is hermetically sealeAusdehnungd to the intermediate layer 8 by gluing in order to protect the electrically conductive layer 10 against damage and corrosion.

[0128] For the electrical contacting of the heating zone 4 of the electrically conductive layer 10, a first busbar 5.1 is arranged in the lower edge region and another second busbar 5.2 is arranged in the upper edge region on the electrically conductive layer 2. The busbars 5.1, 5.2 contain, for example, silver particles and were applied by the screenprinting method and subsequently fired. The length of the busbars 5.1, 5.2 corresponds approx. to the dimension of the heating zone 4.

[0129] When an electrical voltage is applied to the busbars 5.1 and 5.2, a uniform current flows through the electrically conductive layer 2 of the heating zone 4 between the busbars 5.1,5.2. In roughly the center of each busbar 5.1,5.2, a foil conductor 17 is arranged. The foil conductor 17 is electrically conductively connected to the busbars 5.1,5.2 via a contact surface, for example, by means of a soldering compound, an electrically conductive adhesive, or by simple placement and contact pressure within pane 100. The foil conductor 17 contains, for example, a tinned copper foil with a width of 10 mm and a thickness of 0.3 mm. The busbars 5.1,5.2 are connected via the foil conductor 17 via supply lines 18 to a voltage source 6, which provides onboard voltage customary for motor vehicles, preferably from 12 V to 15 V and, for example, roughly 14 V. Alternatively, the voltage source 6 can also have higher voltages, for example, from 35 V to 45 V and, in particular, 42 V.

[0130] The busbars 5.1,5.2 have, in the example depicted, a constant thickness of, for example, roughly 10 m and a constant specific resistance of, for example, 2.3 ohm.Math.cm.

[0131] In a particularly advantageous embodiment of the pane 100 according to the invention, the longitudinal direction of the supply line zone 3.2 of the switch surface 3 has an angle a of, for example, 0.5 relative to the mean direction of the current path 7. Thus, the flow of current of the heating current upon application of a voltage to the busbars 5.1,5.2 is only slightly selected any length without the course of the heating current being appreciably disrupted and without local overheating areas, so-called hot spots, developing on the pane 100.

[0132] When the pane 100 is used, for example, as a windshield in a motor vehicle, the length of the supply line zone 3.2 can be selected such that the driver of the motor vehicle or the front seat passenger can conveniently reach the touch zone 3.1 of the switch surface 3.

[0133] FIG. 2A depicts an alternative embodiment of a pane 100 according to the invention in an enlarged view of the detail Z of FIG. 1A. The switch surface 3 is formed here, for example, by the electrically conductive structure 2 of a metal wire 9.1. The wire 9.1 is bent into a circle on one end and transitions into a spiral with a decreasing radius. There, the wire 9.1 forms a touch zone 3.1. The pane 100 also has a second wire 9.2, which runs parallel to the connection zone 3.2 of the switch surface 3. The wires 9.1,9.2 are electrically connected toward the outside to foil conductors 17 and can connect to a sensor electronics assembly 30. The sensor electronics assembly 30 is, for example, suited to measure a capacitance change between the two wires 9.1,9.2, when the pane 100 is touched in the immediate vicinity of the switch surface 3. The wires 9.1,9.2 have, for example, a diameter of 70 m and have electrically insulating sheathing. The width b.sub.B and the length l.sub.b of the touch zone 3.1 is, for example, a maximum of 40 mm. The supply line zone 3.2 is connected to a connection zone 3.3. The remaining structure of the pane 100 corresponds, for example, to the structure of the pane 100 of FIG. 1A.

[0134] FIG. 2B depicts a cross-sectional view of the exemplary embodiment according to FIG. 2A along the section line B-B. The metal wire 9.1 has, for example, an electrically insulating sheathing and is arranged here, for example, between the electrically conductive layer 10 of the heating zone 4 and the intermediate layer 13. By means of the electrically insulating sheathing, a flow of electric current between the wire 9.1 and the heating zone 4 is prevented.

[0135] In a particularly advantageous embodiment of the pane 100 according to the invention, the wire can serve as a light deflection means 15 and couple out light, which was coupled into the substrate 1 or the cover pane 12 or an intermediate layer 13.

[0136] FIG. 3A depicts an alternative embodiment of a pane arrangement 101 according to the invention with a top plan view of a pane 100 according to the invention, wherein the illumination means 8 are embodied by light sources 14, for example, an LED or an areally arranged OLED-structure, that are arranged directly in the touch zone 3.1 of the switch surface 3. Otherwise, the pane 100 of this exemplary embodiment corresponds, for example, to the pane 100 of FIG. 1A.

[0137] FIG. 3B depicts an enlarged view of the detail Z of FIG. 4A. In this exemplary embodiment, six light sources 15 are laminated between the intermediate layer 13 and the cover pane 12. The light sources 15 are guided outward electrically via supply lines 18 and can be connected to a voltage source outside the pane 100.

[0138] FIG. 3C depicts for this a cross-sectional view along the section line C-C of FIG. 4A. In this exemplary embodiment, the touch zone 3.1 of the switch surface 3 is actively illuminated. Of course, the light sources 15 can also be arranged on the surface I of the cover pane 12 or on the surface IV of the substrate 1 or in recesses of the substrate 1 or of the cover pane 12.

[0139] In a particularly advantageous embodiment of the pane 100 according to the invention, the electrically conductive layer 10 is partitioned by additional dividing lines that form supply lines 18, to which the light sources 14 are electrically connected among each other and toward the outside.

[0140] Of course, the exemplary embodiments depicted here can also be configured as a heating zone with individual heating wires that connect the busbars 5.1 and 5.2 instead of a heating zone 4 with an electrically conductive layer 10.

[0141] FIG. 4 depicts a flowchart of an exemplary embodiment of the method according to the invention for producing an electrically heatable pane 100 with a switch zone 10.

[0142] The pane according to the invention 100 according to FIG. 1-3 has a switch surface 3 that can be connected, for example, to a capacitive sensor electronics assembly 30. At the same time, the pane 100 has an electrically heatable heating zone 4, wherein the heating function and heating power distribution is only slightly impaired or not all impaired by the switch surface 3.

[0143] This result was unexpected and surprising for the person skilled in the art.

LIST OF REFERENCE CHARACTERS

[0144] 100 pane with an illuminated switch surface [0145] 101 pane arrangement [0146] 1 transparent substrate [0147] 2 electrically conductive structure [0148] 3 switch surface [0149] 3.1 touch zone [0150] 3.2 supply line zone [0151] 3.3 connection zone [0152] 4 heating zone [0153] 5.1, 5.2 busbars [0154] 6 voltage source [0155] 7 current path [0156] 8 illumination means [0157] 9.1,9.2 wire [0158] 10 electrically conductive layer [0159] 11 dividing line [0160] 12 cover pane [0161] 13 intermediate layer [0162] 14 light source (LED) [0163] 15 light deflection means [0164] 16 sensor electronics assembly [0165] 17 flat conductor [0166] 18 supply line [0167] 19 connection point [0168] 20 electrical line connection [0169] 30 sensor electronics assembly [0170] II surface of the cover pane 12 [0171] III surface of the substrate 1 [0172] IV surface of the substrate 1 [0173] b.sub.A width of the connection zone 3.3 [0174] b.sub.B width of the touch zone 3.1 [0175] b.sub.Z width of the supply line zone 3.2 [0176] d.sub.1 width of the dividing line 11 [0177] l.sub.A length of the connection zone 3.3 [0178] l.sub.B length of the touch zone 3.1 [0179] l.sub.Z length of the supply line zone 3.2 [0180] A-A section line [0181] B-B section line [0182] C-C section line [0183] Z detail