IP Library Granted Patent US 7,745,838
Granted Patent B2
US 7,745,838 · App. 10/541,672 · Granted Jun 29, 2010

Glazing comprising electronics elements

Assignee: AGC Glass Europe
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 7,745,838
App. No.
10/541,672
Granted
Jun 29, 2010
Kind
B2
Abstract

The invention consists of inserting electronic components into a glazing, in particular a laminated glazing, in order to create new features, in particular for automotive applications, windscreen, rear window or side windows. The inserted electronic components can be optoelectronic components such as light-emitting diodes (LEDs) providing a lighting function for the glazing, e.g. interior lighting of an automobile. The electrical connections are provided by means of a conductive layer so that they are virtually invisible.

Claims (33)

1. Laminated glazing comprising:

two glass sheets;

one or more thermoplastic interlayers;

light-emitting diodes (LEDs) inserted between the two glass sheets; and

a connecting circuit formed from at least one conductive layer deposited on one face of the glass sheets or of the thermoplastic interlayers, the conductive layer being divided in at least 2 distinct areas, each area being bound to an electrode.

2. Laminated glazing according to claim 1 ,

wherein the conductive layer has a thickness in the range of between 0.02 and 0.5 μm.

3. Laminated glazing according to claim 2 ,

wherein the conductive layer has a resistance in the range of between 2 and 80 Ω/sq.

4. Laminated glazing according to claim 1 , wherein the conductive layer is applied on the transparent substrate and zones have been insulated from the rest of the layer by narrow insulating bands.

5. Laminated glazing according to claim 4 ,

wherein the insulating bands have a width in the range of between 0.01 and 3 mm.

6. Laminated glazing according to claim 1 ,

wherein the LEDs and any associated casing have a thickness less than or equal to 3 mm.

7. Laminated glazing according to claim 1 , wherein the LEDs comprise several semiconductor chips in a casing.

8. Laminated glazing according to claim 7 ,

wherein the casing is dimensioned such that its length and/or a width are at least 10-times larger than its thickness.

9. Laminated glazing according to claim 7 ,

wherein the casing has a length and/or a width in the range between 5 and 100 mm.

10. Laminated glazing according to claim 1 , wherein a switch actuating the power supply of the LEDs is formed by a zone of the conductive layer insulated from the rest of the conductor layer by narrow bands.

11. Laminated glazing according to claim 1 , wherein the LEDs are inserted in at least one of said one or more thermoplastic interlayers during the production of the laminated glazing.

12. Laminated glazing according to claim 1 , wherein the conductive layer has a thickness in the range of between 0.2 and 0.4 μm.

13. Laminated glazing according to claim 2 , wherein the conductive layer has a resistance in the range of between 10 and 80 Ω/sq.

14. Laminated glazing according to claim 12 , wherein the conductive layer has a resistance in the range of between 12 and 20 Ω/sq.

15. Laminated glazing according to claim 4 , wherein the insulating bands have a width in the range of between 0.05 and 1.5 mm.

16. Laminated glazing according to claim 4 , wherein the insulating bands have a width in the range of between 0.1 and 0.8 mm.

17. Laminated glazing according to claim 1 , wherein the LEDs and any associated casing have a thickness in the range of between 0.1 and 1.2 mm.

18. Laminated glazing according to claim 7 , wherein the casing is dimensioned such that its length and/or a width are at least 20-times larger than its thickness.

19. Laminated glazing according to claim 7 , wherein the casing is dimensioned such that its length and/or a width are at least 40-times larger than its thickness.

20. Laminated glazing according to claim 7 , wherein the casing has a length and/or a width in the range between 15 and 75 mm.

21. Laminated glazing according to claim 7 , wherein the casing has a length and/or a width in the range between 25 and 50 mm.

22. Laminated glazing according to claim 1 , wherein the LEDs are substantially surrounded by said one or more thermoplastic interlayers.

23. Laminated glazing according to claim 7 , wherein the casing is substantially surrounded by said one or more thermoplastic interlayers.

Assignments (3)
CHANGE OF NAME Recorded Mar 10, 2010
From: AGC FLAT GLASS EUROPE SA
To: AGC GLASS EUROPE
Reel/Frame 024056/0438 →
CHANGE OF NAME Recorded May 14, 2008
From: GLAVERBEL
To: AGC FLAT GLASS EUROPE SA
Reel/Frame 020945/0336 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jun 14, 2006
From: LEFEVRE, HUGUES
To: GLAVERBEL
Reel/Frame 017782/0581 →
Priority Claims (2)
BE 2003/0023 · Jan 10, 2003 · national
EP 03104456 · Nov 28, 2003 · regional
Continuity (1)
Related Publication 20060275599A1 · Dec 7, 2006