IP Library Granted Patent US 8,451,541
Granted Patent B2
US 8,451,541 · App. 12/746,687 · Granted May 28, 2013

Curved vehicle windshield made from laminated glass

Inventors: Michael Labrot (Aachen, DE); Volkmar Offermann (Eschweiler, DE); Jean-Edouard De Salins (Paris, FR)
Assignee: Saint-Gobain Glass France
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 8,451,541
App. No.
12/746,687
Granted
May 28, 2013
Kind
B2
Abstract

Interfering double images that occur with curved windshields made from laminated glass during night driving in transmission and with head-up displays in reflection can be reduced by a wedge-shaped thermoplastic intermediate film. The wedge-angle profile required for compensation of double images is determined locally as a function of pane shape and installation situation. If the vehicle has a head-up display system, the wedge-angle progression can be determined in the HUD field such that double images are prevented there in reflection. However, outside the HUD field, a wedge-angle progression that compensates double images in transmission is selected. The specifically adapted wedge-angle profile enables better compensation of double images than is possible with a film with a constant wedge angle.

Claims (61)

1. A method comprising manufacturing a vehicle windshield comprising an outer surface and an inner surface, the outer surface and the inner surface forming a wedge angle with each other in one or more regions for prevention or reduction of interfering double images, wherein the outer surface and the inner surface have continuously changing wedge angles, the wedge angles depending on a respective local angle of incidence of light beams and on a respective local radius of curvature of the curved vehicle windshield, wherein compensation wedge angles δ required for compensation of double images interfering in transmission are calculated depending on local angles of incidence φ and local radii of curvature R c of the windshield according to the formula

δ

=

t

R

c

·

sin

φ

cos

φ

n

2

-

sin

2

φ

,

where t represents the thickness of the windshield and n represents the index of refraction, along the vertical center line of the windshield.

2. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the wedge angles decrease continuously from the bottom edge to the top edge of the windshield.

3. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the continuously changing wedge angles change continuously in a horizontal direction in regions with high horizontal curvature.

4. The method according to claim 1 , the curved vehicle windshield having a head-up display (HUD) viewing field, wherein the continuously changing wedge angles change continuously from bottom to top in a region of the HUD viewing field.

5. The method according to claim 4 , wherein the continuously changing wedge angles also continuously change in a horizontal direction of the region of the HUD viewing field.

6. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the continuously changing wedge angles are incorporated into an intermediate film.

7. The method according to claim 1 , wherein changes in thickness caused by deformation of individual glass sheets are taken into account when determining the continuously changing wedge angles.

8. The method according to claim 1 , said curved vehicle windshield having a head-up display (HUD) viewing field with a continuously changing wedge angle preventing double images in reflection and, outside the HUD viewing field, continuously changing wedge angles preventing the double images appearing in transmission.

9. The method according to claim 1 , wherein progression of the compensation wedge angles in a horizontal direction of vision, is calculated from a lower end position to an upper end position.

10. The method according to claim 1 , wherein progression of the compensation wedge angles is calculated from a constant central position of the driver.

11. A method comprising manufacturing a vehicle windshield comprising an outer surface and an inner surface, the outer surface and the inner surface forming a wedge angle with each other in one or more regions for prevention or reduction of interfering double images, wherein the outer surface and the inner surface have continuously changing wedge angles, the wedge angles depending on a respective local angle of incidence of light beams and on a respective local radius of curvature of the curved vehicle windshield, wherein compensation wedge angles δ required for compensation of double images interfering in transmission are calculated depending on local angles of incidence φ and local radii of curvature R c of the windshield according to the formula

δ

=

t

R

c

·

sin

φ

cos

φ

n

2

-

sin

2

φ

,

where t represents the thickness of the windshield and n represents the index of refraction, along the vertical center line of the windshield.

Assignments (2)
NUNC PRO TUNC ASSIGNMENT Recorded May 16, 2025
From: SAINT-GOBAIN GLASS FRANCE
To: SAINT-GOBAIN SEKURIT FRANCE
Reel/Frame 071969/0743 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Aug 27, 2010
From: LABROT, MICHAEL; OFFERMANN, VOLKMAR; DE SALINS, JEAN-EDOUARD
To: SAINT-GOBAIN GLASS FRANCE
Reel/Frame 024898/0927 →
Priority Claims (2)
DE 10 2007 059323 · Dec 7, 2007 · national
DE 10 2008 008758 · Feb 12, 2008 · national
Continuity (1)
Related Publication 20100314900A1 · Dec 16, 2010