GLAZING COMPRISING A SWITCHABLE DEVICE, LAMINATED STRUCTURE AND METHOD FOR MANUFACTURING OF A GLAZING

Abstract

A glazing (10) comprising a switchable optical device (26) is proposed. The switchable optical device (26) has a layer structure comprising in this order a first substrate (12), a switchable layer (18) and a second substrate (24).

Further, at least one of the first substrate (12) and the second substrate (24) is attached to a further sheet (30) by means of an adhesive tape (40) or an optically clear adhesive (48).

Further aspects of the invention relate to a laminated structure and an insulated glazing unit comprising such a glazing (10) and a method for manufacturing of such a glazing (10).

Claims

1. Glazing (10) comprising a switchable optical device (26) having a layer structure comprising in this order a first substrate (12), a switchable layer (18) and a second substrate (24), wherein at least one of the first substrate (12) and the second substrate (24) is attached to a further sheet (30) by means of an adhesive tape (40) or an optically clear adhesive (48).

2. Glazing (10) according to claim 1, wherein the thickness of the first substrate (12) and/or of the second substrate (24) is in the range of from 0.05 mm to 1.1 mm.

3. Glazing (10) according to claim 1, wherein the first substrate (12) and/or the second substrate (24) is an alkali-free glass or a chemically strengthened glass.

4. Glazing (10) according to claim 1, wherein the further sheet (30) is a substrate of a further switchable optical device (36).

5. Glazing (10) according to claim 1, wherein the further sheet (30) is an optically transparent glass sheet or an optically transparent polymer sheet.

6. Glazing according to claim 5, wherein the thickness of the further sheet (30) is in the range of from 2 mm to 10 mm.

7. Glazing according to claim 1, wherein the adhesive tape (40) is a double coated adhesive tape comprising a first adhesive layer (42), a carrier layer (44) and a second adhesive layer (46).

8. Glazing (10) according to claim 1, wherein an index of refraction and/or a coefficient of thermal expansion of the optically clear adhesive (48) or of the adhesive tape (40) is selected to correspond to the respective property of the first substrate (12) or second substrate (24).

9. Glazing (10) according to claim 7, wherein the optically clear adhesive (48) and/or the adhesive of the first adhesive layer (42) and/or second adhesive layer is selected (46) from an acrylic adhesive or a silicone adhesive.

10. Glazing (10) according to claim 4, wherein the switchable optical device (26) and/or the further switchable optical device (36) is a liquid crystal device selected from a dye-doped twisted nematic, super twisted nematic, vertically aligned or polymer stabilized cholesteric texture device.

11. Glazing (10) according to claim 1, wherein the layer structure comprises in this order the first substrate (12), a first electrode layer (14), a first alignment layer (16), the switchable layer (18), a second alignment layer (20), a second electrode layer (22) and the second substrate (24).

12. Glazing (10) according to claim 1, wherein the layer structure of the glazing (10) is symmetric around the switchable layer.

13. Laminated structure (100) comprising the glazing (10) according to claim 1, wherein the glazing (10) is laminated to a glass sheet or a further switchable optical device (36) by means of an interlayer (102).

14. Insulated glazing unit (200) comprising at least one glazing (10) according to claim 1.

15. Method for manufacturing of a glazing (10) according to claim 1, comprising the steps of a) providing a switchable optical device (26), at least one further sheet (30) and an adhesive, wherein the switchable optical device (26) has a layer structure comprising in this order a first substrate (12), a switchable layer (18) and a second substrate (24), and b) attaching the at least one further sheet (30) to the first substrate (12) by applying the adhesive to the first substrate (12) and/or the at least one further sheet (30) and pressing the at least one further sheet (30) against the first substrate (12) and/or attaching the at least one further sheet (30) to the second substrate (24) by applying the adhesive to the second substrate (24) and/or the at least one further sheet (30) and pressing the at least one further sheet (30) against the second substrate (24).

16. Method according to claim 15, wherein the adhesive is provided in the form of a liquid optically clear adhesive, in the form of a double coated adhesive tape or in the form of an adhesive film.

17. Method according to claim 15, wherein the adhesive is provided in the form of a liquid adhesive which is cured during and/or after pressing.

18. Method according to claim 15, wherein pressing is performed by means of a roller.

19. Insulated glazing unit (200) comprising at least one laminated structure (100) according to claim 13.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0068] The drawings show:

[0069] FIG. 1 a first embodiment of a glazing having a switchable layer,

[0070] FIG. 2 a second embodiment of a glazing having two switchable layers,

[0071] FIG. 3 a third embodiment of a glazing,

[0072] FIG. 4 a laminated structure comprising a glazing, and

[0073] FIG. 5 an insulated glazing unit comprising a glazing.

[0074] In FIG. 1 a first embodiment of a glazing 10 is shown. The inventive glazing 10 has a layer structure which comprises a switchable optical device 26 which comprises in this order a first substrate 12, a first electrode layer 14, a first alignment layer 16, a switchable layer 18, a second alignment layer 20, a second electrode layer 22 and a second substrate 24. The two substrates 12, 24 are arranged such that a liquid crystal cell having a cell gap is formed. The switchable layer 18 is sandwiched between the two substrates 12, 24, wherein the two alignment layers 16, 20 are facing towards the switchable layer 18. The switchable layer 18 includes a liquid crystalline medium.

[0075] The first substrate 12 and the second substrate 24 are both optically transparent. The material of the first substrate 12 and of the second substrate 24 may be selected independently. Preferably, the material of the first substrate 12 and second substrate 24 is an alkali-free glass, borofloat glass or a chemically strengthened glass.

[0076] The glazing 10 of the first embodiment additionally comprises a further sheet 30 which is attached to the second substrate 24 of the switchable optical device 26 by means of an adhesive tape 40. The adhesive tape 40 has a layer structure which comprises in this order a first adhesive layer 42, a carrier layer 44 and a second adhesive layer 46. All layers of the adhesive tape 40 are transparent. The further sheet 30 is also optically transparent. Suitable materials for the further sheet 30 include alkali-free glass, borofloat glass and a chemically strengthened glass.

[0077] FIG. 2 shows a second embodiment of the glazing 10. The glazing 10 of FIG. 2 comprises in this order the switchable optical device 26, the adhesive tape 40, a further switchable optical device 36, a further adhesive tape 40′ and the further sheet 30. The two switchable optical devices 26, 36 and the further sheet 30 are attached to each other by means of the adhesive tape 40 and the further adhesive tape 40′. The further adhesive tape 40′ has the same configuration as the adhesive tape 40 which has been described with respect to the first embodiment of FIG. 1.

[0078] The switchable optical device 26 has the same layer structure as described with respect to the first embodiment of FIG. 1. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 2, the further switchable optical device 36 has an identical configuration and comprises in this order a first substrate 12, a first electrode layer 14, a first alignment layer 16, a switchable layer 18, a second alignment layer 20, a second electrode layer 22 and a second substrate 24.

[0079] FIG. 3 shows a third embodiment of the glazing 10. The third embodiment of the glazing 10 has all layers of the first embodiment of FIG. 1. In addition, the glazing 10 of the third embodiment comprises a second glass sheet 33, which is attached to the first substrate 12 by means of a further adhesive tape 40′. Thus, the glazing 10 shown in FIG. 3 has a symmetric configuration around the switchable layer 20 of the switchable optical device 26. The symmetric structure comprises in this order the further sheet 30, which is used as a first glass sheet 32, the adhesive tape 40, the switchable optical device 26, the further adhesive tape 40′ and the second glass sheet 33.

[0080] FIG. 4 shows a laminated structure 100 comprising a second glass sheet 33, an interlayer 102 and the glazing 10 of the first embodiment as described with respect to FIG. 1. In the laminated structure 100 the switchable optical device 26 is embedded between two glass sheets 32, 33, wherein the further sheet 30 of the glazing 10 is used as a first glass sheet 32.

[0081] Advantageously, the first glass sheet 32 is attached to the switchable optical device 26 by means of the adhesive tape 40, so that only the second glass sheet 33 is laminated to the switchable optical device 26 in a process which involves elevated pressure and temperature.

[0082] FIG. 5 shows an insulated glazing unit 200 comprising a fourth embodiment of the glazing 10.

[0083] The glazing 10 of the fourth embodiment has a layer structure similar to the first embodiment and comprises the switchable optical device 26, which comprises in this order the first substrate 12, the first electrode layer 14, the first alignment layer 16, the switchable layer 18, the second alignment layer 20, the second electrode layer 22 and the second substrate 24. The two substrates 12, 24 are arranged such that a liquid crystal cell having a cell gap is formed. The switchable layer 18 is sandwiched between the two substrates 12, 24, wherein the two alignment layers 16, 20 are facing towards the switchable layer 18. The switchable layer 18 includes a liquid crystalline medium.

[0084] The layer structure of the glazing 10 of the fourth embodiment further comprises a first glass sheet 32 as further sheet 30, which is attached to the second substrate 24 by means of an optically clear adhesive 48. The optically clear adhesive 48 is preferably provided in the form of a liquid which is then cured, for example by application of UV radiation.

[0085] The glazing 10 of the fourth embodiment is part of the insulated glazing unit 200 which further comprises a spacer 202 and a second glass sheet 33. The spacer 202 defines cavity 204 which improves thermal insulation of the insulated glazing unit 200.

EXAMPLES

Example 1

[0086] Examples for laminated structures comprising a glazing having a switchable optical device are given below. The included switchable optical device may be configured as liquid crystal cell having planar alignment or as a liquid crystal cell having vertical alignment. The layers are listed from outside to inside:

TABLE-US-00001 2 mm −3.8 mm Schott Borofloat glass or >=3 mm toughened SLG 0.38 or 0.76 mm PVB UV Protect or similar product with UV cut at 400 nm 0.5 to 0.7 mm EAGLE XG slim glass or chemically strengthened glass ~25 nm conductive coating (ITO) optionally with SiOx top coat ~50 to 100 nm polyimide alignment layer (for planar or vertical alignment) 5 to 15 μm (for planar) or 15 to 30 μm (for vertical alignment) liquid crystal layer ~50 to 100 nm polyimide alignment layer (for planar or vertical alignment) ~25 nm conductive coating (ITO) optionally with SiOx topcoat 0.5 to 0.7 mm EAGLE XG slim glass or chemically strengthened glass Optically clear adhesive (OCA) or adhesive tape 0.5 to 0.7 mm EAGLE XG slim glass or chemically strengthened glass ~25 nm conductive coating (ITO) optionally with SiOx topcoat ~50 to 100 nm polyimide alignment layer (for planar or vertical alignment) 5 to 15 μm (for planar) or 15 to 30 μm (for vertical alignment) liquid crystal layer ~50 to 100 nm polyimide alignment layer (for planar or vertical alignment) ~25 nm conductive coating (ITO) optionally with SiOx topcoat 0.5 to 0.7 mm EAGLE XG slim glass or chemically strengthened glass 16 mm Argon filled cavity/IGU Spacer 3.8 mm Borofloat or >=3 mm toughened SLG (soda lime glass) with LowE coating

Example 2

[0087] Further examples for laminated structures comprising a glazing having a switchable optical device are given below. The included switchable optical device may be configured as liquid crystal cell having planar alignment or as a liquid crystal cell having vertical alignment. The layers are listed from outside to inside:

TABLE-US-00002 0.5 to 0.7 mm EAGLE XG slim glass or chemically strengthened glass 0.38 or 0.76 mm PVB UV Protect or similar product with UV cut at 400 nm 0.5 to 0.7 mm EAGLE XG slim glass or chemically strengthened glass ~25 nm conductive coating (ITO) optionally with SiOx topcoat ~50 to 100 nm polyimide alignment layer (for planar or vertical alignment) 5 to 15 μm (for planar) or 15 to 30 μm (for vertical alignment) liquid crystal layer ~50 to 100 nm polyimide alignment layer (for planar or vertical alignment) ~25 nm conductive coating (ITO) optionally with SiOx topcoat 0.5 to 0.7 mm EAGLE XG slim glass or chemically strengthened glass Optically clear adhesive (OCA) or adhesive tape 0.5 to 0.7 mm EAGLE XG slim glass or chemically strengthened glass ~25 nm conductive coating (ITO) optionally with SiOx topcoat ~50 to 100 nm polyimide alignment layer (for planar or vertical alignment) 5 to 15 μm (for planar) or 15 to 30 μm (for vertical alignment) liquid crystal layer ~50 to 100 nm polyimide alignment layer (for planar or vertical alignment) ~25 nm conductive coating (ITO) optionally with SiOx topcoat 0.5 to 0.7 mm EAGLE XG slim glass or chemically strengthened glass

[0088] The laminated structure of Example 2 may, for example, be used in an airplane glazing unit. In such a unit, the laminated structure is placed between an outer window, which usually is a double glazing attached to the aircraft hull and an inner window, which may be a plastic pane.

[0089] The inner plastic pane in an air-plane glazing unit may even be omitted in particular when scratch-resistant and toughened or strengthened glass is used as the innermost layer of the glazing or respectively laminate structure, which can favourably lead to further weight reduction.

List of reference numerals

[0090] 10 glazing

[0091] 12 first substrate

[0092] 14 first electrode layer

[0093] 16 first alignment layer

[0094] 18 switchable layer

[0095] 20 second alignment layer

[0096] 22 second electrode layer

[0097] 24 second substrate

[0098] 26 switchable optical device

[0099] 30 further sheet

[0100] 32 first glass sheet

[0101] 33 second glass sheet

[0102] 36 further switchable optical device

[0103] 40 adhesive tape

[0104] 40′ further adhesive tape

[0105] 42 first adhesive layer

[0106] 44 carrier layer

[0107] 46 second adhesive layer

[0108] 48 optically clear adhesive

[0109] 100 laminated structure

[0110] 102 interlayer

[0111] 200 insulated glazing unit

[0112] 202 spacer

[0113] 204 cavity