GLAZING WITH LIGHTING CAPABILITIES
This disclosure relates to a glazing with a laminated structure for providing directed lighting capabilities that comprises a first glass sheet with a first surface and a second surface, a second glass sheet with a third surface and a fourth surface, an interlayer between the first glass sheet and the second glass sheet, and a lighting system, which may include a light source, a light guide attached to the first light source and at least partially laminated between the first glass sheet and the second glass sheet, and a light extraction zone having a light extraction means laminated between the first glass sheet and the second glass sheet.
1 . A glazing, comprising:
a laminated structure including:
a first glass sheet with a first surface and a second surface;
a second glass sheet with a third surface and a fourth surface;
an interlayer between the first glass sheet and the second glass sheet; and,
a lighting system, including:
a light source;
a light guide attached to the first light source and at least partially laminated between the first glass sheet and the second glass sheet; and
a light extraction zone having a light extraction means laminated between the first glass sheet and the second glass sheet, such that the lighting system provides a directed light for an interior or exterior of a vehicle.
2 . The glazing according to claim 1 , wherein the interlayer is comprised of at least two separate layers.
3 . The glazing according to claim 1 , wherein the light guide is embedded into the interlayer.
4 . The glazing according to claim 1 , wherein a laminated portion of the light guide is positioned substantially along an opaque masking layer.
5 . The glazing according to claim 4 , wherein the opaque masking layer is an enamel print.
6 . The glazing according to claim 1 , further comprising at least one additional lighting system.
7 . The glazing according to claim 1 , wherein the light extraction means includes a luminescent composition.
8 . The glazing according to claim 1 , wherein the light guide is arranged around the periphery of the glazing.
9 . The glazing according to claim 1 , wherein the light guide extends out of at least one side the glazing.
10 . The glazing according to claim 1 , wherein the lighting system further comprises at least one lens positioned at the light extraction zone
11 . The glazing according to claim 1 , wherein the light source is a laser.
12 . The glazing according to claim 1 , wherein the light source attaches to the light guide via a fiber optic connector or an optical fiber coupler.
13 . The glazing according to claim 1 , wherein either the first glass sheet or the second glass sheet is darkened in color.
14 . The glazing according to claim 1 , further comprising an infrared reflective layer.
15 . The glazing according to claim 1 , wherein the lighting system provides a reading light for a vehicle interior.
16 . The glazing according to claim 1 , wherein the lighting system provide a brake light to a vehicle exterior.
17 . A method of preparing a glazing comprising:
aligning a lighting system including a light guide and a light extraction zone with a light extraction means throughout at least part of an interlayer;
embedding the aligned lighting system in the interlayer;
laminating the interlayer between a first glass sheet and a second glass sheet such that the interlayer is in between the first glass sheet and second glass sheet.
18 . The method of claim 17 , wherein the light guide of the lighting system is aligned such that it extends out of the glazing to attach to a light source.
19 . The method of claim 17 , further comprising providing an opaque masking layer on at least part of the interlayer, the first glass sheet, or the second glass sheet.
20 . The method of claim 17 , further comprising attaching a lens to the surface of the second glass sheet at the light extraction zone.