Abstract
The present invention is related to an automotive window laminate structure, including an inner glass sheet, and an outer glass sheet, said inner glass sheet and outer glass sheet situated parallel and mutually spaced apart, the inner glass sheet and outer glass sheet each including an inward facing surface and an outward facing surface, at least one thermoplastic laminated sheet structure, said thermoplastic laminated sheet structure substantially entirely placed between the outward facing surface of the inner glass sheet and the inward facing surface of the outer glass sheet, at least one reflective coating, in particular a heat and/or infrared reflective coating, said reflective coating provided on at least a portion of the inward facing surface of the outer glass sheet, and at least one ceramic band, stretching along at least a portion of the perimeter of the inward facing surface of the outer glass sheet. The invention is also related to a method for producing an automotive window laminate structure.
Claims
1. An automotive window laminate structure, comprising: an inner glass sheet, and an outer glass sheet, said inner glass sheet and outer glass sheet situated parallel and mutually spaced apart, the inner glass sheet and outer glass sheet each comprising an inward facing surface and an outward facing surface, at least one thermoplastic laminated sheet structure, said thermoplastic laminated sheet structure substantially entirely placed between the outward facing surface of the inner glass sheet and the inward facing surface of the outer glass sheet, at least one reflective coating said reflective coating provided on at least a portion of the inward facing surface of the outer glass sheet, at least one ceramic band, stretching along at least a portion of the perimeter of the inward facing surface of the outer glass sheet, wherein the at least one reflective coating and the at least one ceramic band at least partially overlap, and wherein at least a portion of the at least one ceramic band stretches beyond the perimeter of the at least one reflective coating.
2. The automotive window laminate structure according to claim 1, wherein an edge along at least a portion of the perimeter of at least one of the inner glass sheet and/or outer glass sheet is rounded and/or bevelled.
3. The automotive window laminate structure according to claim 2, wherein said rounded and/or bevelled portion is essentially free of reflective coating, and/or wherein the at least one ceramic band at least partially overlaps with said rounded and/or be Med portion.
4. (canceled)
5. The automotive window laminate structure according to claim 1, wherein the laminate structure comprises at least one second ceramic band.
6. The automotive window laminate structure according to claim 5, wherein the second ceramic band is a translucent and/or transparent ceramic band wherein the second ceramic band is at least partially arranged between the at least one ceramic band and the at least one reflective coating.
7. The automotive window laminate structure according to claim 5, wherein the laminate structure comprises at least one third ceramic band.
8. The automotive window laminate structure according to claim 7, wherein the third ceramic band is an opaque ceramic enamel.
9. The automotive window laminate structure according to claim 1, wherein the at least one ceramic band stretches at least its own thickness in length beyond the reflective coating and/or wherein the at least one reflective coating is an infrared and/or heat reflective coating and/or the reflective coating is applied on the entire inward facing surface of the outer glass sheet.
10. (canceled)
11. (canceled)
12. The automotive window laminate structure according to claim 1, wherein the at least one ceramic band stretches beyond the at least one reflective coating along the entire perimeter of the at least one reflective coating.
13. The automotive window laminate structure according to claim 1, wherein the at least one ceramic band seals the at least one reflective coating and/or wherein the at least one reflective coating comprises silver particles.
14. (canceled)
15. The automotive window laminate structure according to claim 1, wherein the at least one ceramic band is a ceramic enamel band, comprising at least one additive chosen from the group consisting of: aluminium, boron, calcium, Gold, lead, lithium, magnesium, silicon, titanium, sodium, Platinum, potassium, tin, oxides, nickel-chromium, iron-oxide, manganese-oxide, chromium-oxides, and/or boron-trioxide.
16. The automotive window laminate structure according to claim 1, wherein the at least one ceramic band has an average total thickness situated between about 10 micron and 60 micron, or about 30 micron.
17. The automotive window laminate structure according to claim 1, wherein the thermoplastic laminated sheet structure comprising; at least one functional layer, having an upper and lower surface, and; at least two bonding layers, wherein the at least two bonding layers at least partially cover the upper and lower surfaces of the at least one functional layer.
18. A glass sheet for use in an automotive window laminate according to claim 1.
19. A method for producing an automotive window laminate structure comprising the steps of: a) providing an inner glass sheet and an outer glass sheet, said inner glass sheet and outer glass sheet each comprising an inward facing surface and an outward facing surface, b) providing at least one reflective coating onto at least a portion of the inward facing surface of the outer glass sheet, c) sealing at least a portion of the perimeter of the at least one reflective coating, d) providing a thermoplastic laminated sheet structure between the inner glass sheet and outer glass sheets.
20. The method according to claim 19, wherein the method comprises a step of: providing at least one second ceramic band applied onto the at least one reflective coating, wherein said sealing of step c) is sealed by applying the second ceramic band.
21. The method according to claim 20, wherein the method comprises a step of: providing at least one third ceramic band, applied onto the at least one second ceramic band.
22. The method according to claim 19, wherein during step c), said portion of the perimeter is sealed through step e) providing at least one ceramic band along at least a portion of the perimeter of the inward facing surface of the outer glass sheet.
23. The method according to claim 20, wherein during step e), at least a part of the at least one ceramic band and/or at least a part of the at least one second ceramic band and/or at least a part of the at least one third ceramic band, overlaps the reflective coating applied during step b), and wherein at least a portion of the at least one ceramic band and/or at least a part of the at least one second ceramic band and/or at least a part of the at least one third ceramic band stretches beyond the perimeter of the at least one reflective coating applied during step b).
24. The method according to claim 19, wherein during step c) the entire perimeter of the at least one reflective coating is sealed and/or wherein the method comprises the step of: f) providing a bevel and/or rounding on at least a portion of the edge of at least one of the inner glass sheet and/or outer glass sheet.
25. (canceled)
Description
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0090] The terms Fig., Figs., Figure, and Figures are used interchangeably in the specification to refer to the corresponding figures in the drawings.
[0091] The present invention will hereinafter be further elucidated based on the following drawings, wherein:
[0092] FIG. 1 shows a cross sectional view of an automotive window laminate structure according to an embodiment of the present invention;
[0093] FIG. 2 shows a portion of the automotive window laminate according to a different embodiment;
[0094] FIG. 3a-3e show a part of the production process of an automotive window laminate structure according to the invention; and
[0095] FIGS. 4a-4e show another embodiment of the present invention.
DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0096] FIG. 1 shows a first embodiment of an automotive window laminate 1 according to the present invention. For illustrative purposes merely a portion of the automotive window laminate 1 is shown. The cross sections as shown in this figure allows to elaborate more on the inventive concept of the present invention. As it is the goal of the present invention to provide for an automotive window laminate 1 which is able to reduce the amount of heat absorbed by the window, the embodiment shown provides for an inventive solution. The figure shows the cross section comprising an outer glass sheet 2, and an inner glass sheet 3, which outer glass sheet 2 and inner glass sheet 3 are mutually parallel and situated at a distance of one another. Each of the outer glass sheet 2 and inner glass sheet comprises respectively an inward facing surface 2a, 3a, and an outward facing surface 2b, 3b. In this respect, the outward facing surface 2b of the outer glass sheet 2 may be referred to as Face 1 of the window laminate, and the inward facing surface 2a of the outer glass sheet 2 as Face 2. Similarly the outward facing surface 3b of the inner glass sheet 3 may be referred to as Face 3 of the window laminate, and the inward facing surface 3a of the inner glass sheet 3 as Face 4. Between said outer glass sheet 2 and inner glass sheet 3 a thermoplastic laminated sheet structure 4 is provided. Said thermoplastic laminated sheet structure 4 comprises at least one functional layer 5 preferably comprising at least one film layer such as a polymer-dispersed liquid-crystal device, and/or a suspended-particle devices, and/or an electrochromic device, and/or micro-blinds, and/or passive functional layer. Said film layer may be deposited between two thermoplastic layers, wherein said thermoplastic layers may at least partially be composed out of polyethylene terephthalate (PET), or polyethylene naphthalate (PEN), or Tri Acetate Cellulose (TAC). It is conceivable that at least one side of at least one thermoplastic layer is provided with a conductive coating, preferably Indium Tin Oxide (ITO). Around at least a portion of the perimeter of the functional layer 5 a frame layer 7 is provided. Said frame layer 7 may be at least partially be formed out of a separate material, but may also be formed by an inactive portion of the functional layer 5. Said frame layer 7 is configured to provide for a proper seal of the functional layer 5. This is especially preferred in case of thicker types of functional layers 5. On either side of the functional layer 5 and the frame layer 7 a bonding layer 6 is applied. Said bonding layers 6 allow to adhere the functional film to the sheets of glass 2, 3. In order to provide for a better heat and/or infrared radiation resistance, the present invention is provided with a reflective coating 8. Said reflective coating 8 preferably comprises Silver. Preferably, the at least one reflective coating comprises silver particles, such as AgCl, and/or Ag nanoparticles, in particular at least one Ag1 coating. Yet, it is also conceivable that an Ag2, Ag3, Ag4 coating is provided as a reflective coating. Silver based coatings are one of the preferred options since they have a decent infrared reflective property. The inventive concept according to the present invention lies in the fact that said reflective coating 8 is provided on Face 2 of the automotive window laminate 1, hence on the inward facing surface 2a of the outer glass sheet 2. As such, a beam of sunlight and/or infrared radiation 12 hitting the outer sheet of glass 2 passes through said outer glass sheet 2, and is to a significant extend reflected by the reflective coating 8. Hence, the incoming sunlight and/or infrared radiation 12 is largely reflected back in outwardly reflections 13. Only a small fraction of the incoming sunlight and/or infrared 12, an inward reflection 14, is able to pass through the reflective coating 8. As such, only the inward reflections 14 are able to heat up components situated below said reflective coating 8. In particular a ceramic band 9 that is provided around a portion of the perimeter of at least the outer glass sheet 2 will as a result of said reflective coating 8 heat up less. This is to a great extent due to the fact that said reflective coating 8 is situated (seen in a direction from outwards to inwards) above the ceramic band 9. Said reflective band may cover a portion of the thermoplastic laminated sheet structure 4, in particular an area comprising an electronic connection and/or a frame layer 7. It is desired to reduce the amount of heat that is absorbed and/or transferred into the interior portion of the window laminate 1. Said interior portion may be seen as the thermoplastic laminate 4 and the ceramic band 9. Said ceramic band 9 may in particular be prone to higher temperatures since it is often black in colour. Hence, if none of the incoming rays of sunlight and/or incoming infrared is blocked, it may absorb a significant portion as heat, raising its temperature. Said ceramic band 9 may, if no reflective coating 8 is provided on Face 2, reach temperatures of above 90 degrees Celsius. The present invention may cause a reduction of the maximum temperature to around 60 to 70 degrees Celsius, under the same conditions. The ceramic band 9 stretches beyond the reflective coating 8, until a portion of the edge 11 of the glass sheet 2, 3 that is essentially free of reflective coating. This allows the ceramic band to locally prevent moisture from coming into contact with the reflective coating 8. Preferably, said ceramic band 9 as such seals the reflective coating 8. The ceramic band 9 preferably stretches beyond the reflective coating 8 for at least 10 micron-60, hence only a small fraction is sufficient to seal the reflective coating 8. This may be due to the properties of the ceramic band. In this figure the edges 11 of the outer glass sheet 2 and inner glass sheet 3 are rounded.
[0097] FIG. 2 shows an alternative of a glass sheet 2, 3 according to the present invention. In this particular figure an example of the outer glass sheet 2 is shown, but said shape may also be used in respect of the inner glass sheet 3. However, in order to provide further insight as to how to apply the inventive concept for a different glass edge shape the outer glass sheet 2 is shown here. The edge 11 of glass sheet 2 in this figure is straight, and may form a substantially perpendicular angle with respect to the outward facing surface 2b and the inward facing surface 2a of the outer glass sheet 2. A reflective coating 8 is provided on the inward facing surface 2a of the glass sheet 2. In this embodiment, the reflective coating 8 is applied on essentially the entire inward facing surface 2a of the glass sheet 2. This may e.g. be done prior to further processing of the glass sheet 2. It is also imaginable that large sheets of glass are provided with a reflective coating 8, such as any coating according to the invention, wherein after application of the reflective coating 8 the large sheets of glass are cut into a sheet to be used. This may yield that, as shown in this figure, the reflective coating 8 stretches all the way to the edge 11 of the glass sheet 2 since this reflects the cut line. However, it still remains possible to prevent the reflective coating 8 to be in contact with an external environment, and hence with moisture. In this respect, a ceramic band 9 may be provided which stretches until the edge 11 of the glass sheet 2. Since the ceramic band 9 preferably stretches beyond the reflective coating 8 in at least its own thickness, and due to the fact that the reflective coating is normally an order of magnitude thinner, it may be ensured that the ceramic band 9 indeed stretches until a portion of the edge 11 of the glass sheet 2 that is free of reflective coating 8. As such, the portion of the ceramic band 9 that is adhered to the portion of the edge 11 that is free of reflective coating may seal the reflective coating 8. This may contribute to the life span of the window laminate 1.
[0098] FIGS. 3a-3e show a part of the method according to the present invention. In this respect, FIG. 3a shows a first step wherein a sheet of glass 2 is provided. Although in FIG. 3a an outer glass sheet is shown, it is also conceivable that at this step an inner glass sheet 3 is provided for. During the subsequent step, shown in FIG. 3b a coating 8 is applied, in particular a reflective coating 8 is applied on an inward facing surface 2a of the outer glass sheet 2. The reflective coating 8 is applied on substantially the entire inward facing surface 2a of the outer glass sheet 2. As such, the entire window laminate may have good reflective properties. In the step shown in FIG. 3c an edge 11 of the outer glass sheet 2 is rounded. Rounding the edge 11 of the glass sheet 2 may provide for better distribution of stresses in the glass sheet 2. These stresses may for example be introduced during a bending process. For illustrative purposes, the glass sheet and window laminate shown in FIG. 3 are shown in horizontal orientation, although it is conceivable that the sheet 2 or laminate 1 is slightly curved. During step shown in FIG. 3d a ceramic band 9 is provided onto the outer glass sheet 2. Said ceramic band 9 is in particular applied such as to overlap partially with said reflective coating 8, but also extending beyond said reflective coating 8 onto a portion of the edge 11 of the glass sheet 2 that is essentially free of reflective coating. Where it is mentioned in this application that a portion of the glass sheet 2 is free of reflective coating, this may be understood as said portion being free or made free of reflective coating. It is however preferred to eliminate the step of removing said coating 8 locally since this reduces production times. In this respect, the ceramic band 9 as shown in FIG. 3d stretches until a part of the rounded edge 11 that is free of reflective coating 8. This allows to seal off the reflective coating 8 from moisture by means of the ceramic band. Thus, FIGS. 3a-3d show the subsequent steps of preparing an outer glass sheet 2 according to the present invention, wherein FIG. 3e shows an assembled automotive window laminate 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. Below (seen in direction outward to inward) the outer glass sheet 2 a thermoplastic laminated sheet structure 4 is provided. Said thermoplastic laminated sheet structure 4 comprises two bonding layer 6 and a functional film 5 as described in the present application. Optionally, an inward facing surface 3 of the inner glass sheet 3 may also be provided with a ceramic band 9. As such, the connection and frame layer 7 of the thermoplastic laminated sheet structure 4 that are present along the perimeter of the sheet structure 4 may be hidden from sight of a driver.
[0099] FIGS. 4a-4e show a part of yet another embodiment according to the present invention. In this respect, FIG. 4a shows a first step wherein a sheet of glass 2 is provided. Although in FIG. 4a an outer glass sheet is shown, it is also conceivable that at this step an inner glass sheet 3 is provided for. During the subsequent step, shown in FIG. 4b a coating 8 is applied, in particular a reflective coating 8 is applied on an inward facing surface 2a of the outer glass sheet 2. The reflective coating 8 is applied on substantially the entire inward facing surface 2a of the outer glass sheet 2. As such, the entire window laminate may have good reflective properties. In the step shown in FIG. 4c an edge 11 of the outer glass sheet 2 is rounded. Rounding the edge 11 of the glass sheet 2 may provide for better distribution of stresses in the glass sheet 2. These stresses may for example be introduced during a bending process. For illustrative purposes, the glass sheet and window laminate shown in FIG. 4 are shown in horizontal orientation, although it is conceivable that the sheet 2 or laminate 1 is slightly curved. During step shown in FIG. 4d a ceramic band 9 is provided onto the outer glass sheet 2. Said ceramic band 9 comprises at least one second ceramic band 9A, and the at least one ceramic band 9B. In this respect, the at least one second ceramic band 9A is provided onto the reflective coating 8, and preferably is substantially transparent or translucent, for example transparent ceramic enamel 9A. The at least one second ceramic band 9A may optionally stretch over substantially the entire surface of the reflective coating 8. The at least one ceramic band 9B may be in particular a black ceramic band 9B, such as to form the typical black edge of a window of a vehicle. The at least one ceramic band 9B as such would determine the daylight opening of the window. By applying the at least one second ceramic band 9A, which is different from the at least one ceramic band 9B a more aesthetically pleasing appearance may be achieved. Not only that it also contributes to the overall compatibility. In fact the black ceramic band 9B is typically not very compatible with the reflective coating 8, which may be in part resolved by the at least one second ceramic band 9A. This allows to achieve both a better reflective property as well as a better overall aesthetical appearance of the window, since the black will typically be darker and also more shiny, as seen from the outside of the window (i.e., from the side 2b). Said ceramic band 9 is in particular applied such as to overlap partially with said reflective coating 8, but also extending beyond said reflective coating 8 onto a portion of the edge 11 of the glass sheet 2 that is essentially free of reflective coating, although this is not required when the improved aesthetic is the only goal. Where it is mentioned in this application that a portion of the glass sheet 2 is free of reflective coating, this may be understood as said portion being free or made free of reflective coating. It is however preferred to eliminate the step of removing said coating 8 locally since this reduces production times. In this respect, the ceramic band 9 as shown in FIG. 4d stretches until a part of the rounded edge 11 that is free of reflective coating 8. This allows to seal off the reflective coating 8 from moisture by means of the ceramic band. Thus, FIGS. 4a-4d show the steps of preparing an outer glass sheet 2 according to the present invention, wherein FIG. 4e shows an assembled automotive window laminate 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. Below (seen in direction outward to inward) the outer glass sheet 2 a thermoplastic laminated sheet structure 4 is provided. Said thermoplastic laminated sheet structure 4 comprises two bonding layer 6 and a functional film 5 as described in the present application. Optionally, an inward facing surface 3 of the inner glass sheet 3 may also be provided with a ceramic band 9. As such, the connection and frame layer 7 of the thermoplastic laminated sheet structure 4 that are present along the perimeter of the sheet structure 4 may be hidden from sight of a driver. Although this embodiment indicates both an outer glass sheet 2 and inner glass sheet 3, it is conceivable that this is applied to a single glass sheet for use in automotive industry as well. For example on a side window of a vehicle.
[0100] The above-described inventive concepts are illustrated by several illustrative embodiments. It is conceivable that individual inventive concepts, including inventive details, may be applied without, in so doing, also applying other details of the described example. It is not necessary to elaborate on examples of all conceivable combinations of the above-described inventive concepts, as a person skilled in the art will understand numerous inventive concepts can be (re)combined in order to arrive at a specific application and/or alternative embodiment.
[0101] The ordinal numbers used in this document, like first, second, and third are used only for identification purposes. Hence, the use of expressions like a second component, does therefore not necessarily require the co-presence of a first component.
