Acoustic transducer laminated glass panel

Abstract

The acoustic transducer laminated glass panel comprises a primary glass pane, a secondary glass pane, and at least one excitable glass pane configured to respond acoustically to an excitation stimulus. The laminated glass panel also includes an insulating material section configured to separate a corresponding excitable glass pane from the secondary glass pane. The secondary glass pane is arranged along the primary glass pane and at an equal distance from it. Each excitable glass pane is arranged along the primary glass pane and at an equal distance from it, and adjacent to the secondary glass pane, with a first section of each excitable glass pane spaced apart from the primary glass pane.Additionally, the insulating material section is arranged along the primary glass pane and at an equal distance from it between an edge of the secondary glass pane and an edge of a second section of the corresponding excitable glass pane.

Description

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a laminated glass pane with the functionality of an acoustic transducer.

[0002] A window is an opening in a wall, door, or roof of a structure that allows the exchange of light and may also allow the passage of sound and sometimes air. Modern window openings are usually glazed or covered with a transparent or translucent material such as glass and may include a sash that holds a pane of transparent material set in a frame. The sash allows the window to be opened for ventilation or closed to keep out inclement weather. A window may have a latch or similar mechanism to lock the window or to hold it open to various degrees.

[0003] Modern vehicles incorporate windows that use glass panes to separate the vehicle interior from the outside environment. These glass panes may be fixed relative to doors or the vehicle body structure, or they may be movable, allowing the vehicle occupant to open and close them. Vehicle glass may be thermally or chemically tempered to facilitate controlled breakage. Vehicle glass panes may also be laminated, meaning they have a multi-layered structure, to provide acoustic insulation, ultraviolet (UV) radiation protection for vehicle occupants and cargo, and controlled breakage.

[0004] DE 10 2019 207 011 A1 discloses a viewing window for a motor vehicle comprising a glass layer. A predetermined section of the viewing window is configured to allow light to pass through to an optical sensor. Furthermore, the viewing window includes a thermal insulator configured to reduce heat flow emanating from the section along the viewing window.

[0005] WO 2005 / 016711A1 discloses a detection device comprising a piezoelectric vibration sensor attached to a surface to generate an analog signal proportional to the raindrops striking the surface, an amplifier, an analog-to-digital converter and a processor for calculating the rainfall rate based on an exponential probability density function of a first-order point process.

[0006] US Patent D4 5,598,380A discloses a composite wall, in particular a motor vehicle windshield, with an ultrasonic device for detecting foreign objects on one of its surfaces. The composite wall comprises a first and a second plate separated by an intermediate layer, and an ultrasonic detection device arranged on one side of the second plate, comprising a transducer element capable of emitting a random ultrasonic signal of frequency f and receiving an ultrasonic signal reflected from one side of the first plate. The intermediate layer includes, at least opposite the transducer element, an inserted element whose two surfaces are each in close contact with the first and second plates.

[0007] US Patent 2018 / 0250722A1 discloses a system for removing precipitation from a window, comprising multiple transducers attached to the window. The transducers are driven by a generator to produce surface acoustic waves that propagate through the glass. The glass can be a laminated pane, such as a vehicle windshield. A sensor system can be used to detect the presence of precipitation and activate the cleaning system.

[0008] The acoustic transducer laminated glass panel comprises a primary glass pane, a secondary glass pane, and at least one excitable glass pane configured to respond acoustically to an excitation stimulus. The acoustic transducer laminated glass panel also includes an insulating material section configured to separate a corresponding excitable glass pane from the secondary glass pane. In a cross-sectional view, the secondary glass pane is arranged along the primary glass pane and equidistant from it. Also in the cross-sectional view, each excitable glass pane is arranged along the primary glass pane and equidistant from it, and adjacent to the secondary glass pane, with a first section of each excitable glass pane spaced apart from the primary glass pane.Additionally, in the cross-sectional view, the insulating material section is arranged along the primary glass pane and at an equal distance from it between an edge of the secondary glass pane and an edge of a second section of the corresponding excitable glass pane.

[0009] The acoustic transducer laminated glass panel can also, in cross-sectional view, include a structural bonding layer located between the primary glass pane and the second section of each excitable glass pane, the insulating material section and the secondary glass pane.

[0010] In cross-sectional view, the primary glass pane can have a flat or uniform outer surface and an inner surface in contact with the structural bonding layer.

[0011] The acoustic transducer laminated glass plate includes an exciter that is attached to the first section of each excitable glass plate and is designed to generate the excitation stimulus.

[0012] The laminated glass panel can be part of a vehicle roof section and part of a vehicle rear window section.

[0013] In the cross-sectional view, the primary glass pane can define a cavity area above or over the first section of each excitable glass pane.

[0014] In the cross-sectional view, the first section of each excitable glass pane can extend outside or beyond the primary glass pane.

[0015] Alternatively, in the cross-sectional view, the primary glass pane can extend over and cover each cavity area and the first section of each excitable glass pane.

[0016] In cross-sectional view, the secondary glass pane, each excitable glass pane and the insulating material section together can define a continuous flat (uniform) outer surface of the acoustic transducer laminated glass panel.

[0017] In cross-sectional view, the primary glass pane, the secondary glass pane, the excitable glass pane(s) and the insulating material section can together have a combined thickness of 5 mm.

[0018] A vehicle with the acoustic transducer laminated glass panel described above is also revealed. Fig. Figure 1 is a schematic top view of a vehicle with a plurality of windows according to the present disclosure. Fig. Figure 2 is a schematic perspective partial view of an acoustic transducer laminated glass panel, which is designed to have a vent in each of the areas shown. Fig. The window shown in section 1 is to be installed, which represents a separate configuration of the glass plate according to the present disclosure. Fig. 3A is a schematic cross-sectional side view of a specific configuration of the acoustic transducer laminated glass panel, which is in Fig. 2 is shown, according to the present revelation. Fig. 3B is a schematic cross-sectional side view of another configuration of the acoustic transducer laminated glass panel, which is in Fig. 2 is shown, according to the present revelation. Fig. 4A is a schematic top view of the embodiment of the acoustic transducer laminated glass plate, which is in Fig. 3A is shown, according to the present disclosure. Fig. 4B is a schematic top view of the embodiment of the acoustic transducer laminated glass plate, which is in Fig. 3B is shown, according to the present disclosure. Fig. Figure 5 is a schematic perspective partial view of the vehicle structure, which is shown in Fig. Figure 1 shows a cross-sectional view of the acoustic transducer laminated glass plate, which is in Fig. 2- Fig. 4B is shown, which is used as a roof-mounted window, according to the present disclosure.

[0019] Referring to the drawings, where the same reference numerals in the different views refer to the same components, states Fig. Figure 1 schematically depicts a vehicle 10. The vehicle 10 is generally characterized by a vehicle body 12 surrounded by an external environment 13. The vehicle body 12 defines a vehicle interior or vehicle cabin 16, which is designed to accommodate a driver and one or more passengers, for example, in a generally seated position. The vehicle body 12 comprises a left side section 14-1, a right side section 14-2, a front end section 14-3, a rear end section 14-4, and a roof section 14-5. The vehicle body 12 also includes a plurality of side doors, such as a left front door 18A, a right front door 18B, a left rear door 18C, and a right rear door 18D. The vehicle body 12 can be designed as a tailgate, which also includes a tailgate 18E (at the rear end section 14-4) to provide access to the vehicle cabin 16.Alternatively, the vehicle body 12 can be designed as a tailgate (not shown) with an enclosed cargo space or trunk at the rear end section 14-4 instead of a tailgate.

[0020] Each of the doors 18A, 18B, 18C, 18D, 18E can be locked from the inside or outside of the vehicle and has a respective movable or fixed window section 20A, 20B, 20C, 20D, 20E that separates the vehicle interior from the external environment 13. In the tailgate configuration of the vehicle body 12, the window section 20E can be a fixed rear window. Additionally, the vehicle 10 further includes a windshield 20F and the roof section 14-5 can include a movable or fixed window section 20G. As shown, the vehicle can also have fixed side windows 20H. Each of the window components 20A, 20B, 20C, 20D, 20E, 20F, 20G, 20H can be designed as an acoustic transducer laminated glass panel, i.e., a glass panel intended to function as a loudspeaker, as described below. The acoustic transducer laminated glass panel can also be used in stationary structures (not shown), such as residential and commercial buildings.The acoustic transducer laminated glass panel in question has a general laminated glass structure. The acoustic transducer laminated glass panel is in the . Fig. 2-5 generally designated with the reference numeral 30.

[0021] As in the Fig. 2, Fig. 3A and Fig. As shown in Figure 3B, the acoustic transducer laminated glass panel 30 comprises a primary glass pane 32 and a secondary glass pane 34. The acoustic transducer laminated glass panel 30 also comprises at least one excitable glass pane 36, which is configured to respond acoustically, i.e., by vibration, to an excitation stimulus 38 (as shown in the Fig. 3A and Fig. (3B shown). The acoustic transducer laminated glass plate 30 additionally comprises an insulating material section 40, which is configured to separate a corresponding excitable glass pane 36 from the secondary glass pane 34 and to block the transmission of vibrations between them. Fig. 3A and Fig. Figures 3B and 3A-3B represent respective cross-sectional views of separate configurations of the acoustic transducer laminated glass panel 30, arranged relative to an axis X, as shown in Fig. 2 marked.

[0022] As shown in the cross-sectional views 3A-3A and 3B-3B of the acoustic transducer laminated glass panel 30, which are in the corresponding Fig. 3A and Fig. As shown in Figure 3B, the secondary glass pane 34 is arranged parallel to the primary glass pane 32. In a curved acoustic transducer laminated glass panel 30, the secondary glass pane 34 is arranged along the primary glass pane 32 and at substantially equal distances from it. Each excitable glass pane 36 is arranged parallel to (along and at substantially equal distances from) the primary glass pane 32 and adjacent to the secondary glass pane 34. As also shown in the Fig. 3A and Fig. As shown in Figure 3B, the first section 36-1 of each excitable glass pane 36 is spaced apart from the primary glass pane 32. Additionally, the insulating material section 40 is arranged parallel to (along and substantially equidistant from) the primary glass pane 32 between adjacent edges of the secondary glass pane 34 and the excitable glass pane 36. Specifically, the insulating material section 40 is arranged between the edge 34A of the secondary glass pane 34 and the adjacent edge 36-2A of a second section 36-2 of the corresponding excitable glass pane 36.

[0023] With further reference to the Fig. 3A and Fig. In cross-sectional views 3A-3A and 3B-3B, the acoustic transducer laminated glass panel 30 can also include a structural bonding layer 42. The structural bonding layer 42 is located between the primary glass panel 32 and the second section 36-2 of each excitable glass panel 36, the insulating material section 40, and the secondary glass panel 34. The structural bonding layer 42 connects the secondary glass panel 34, the excitable glass panel 36, and the insulating material section 40 to the primary glass panel 32. However, for the purposes of the structural bonding layer 42, the secondary glass panel 34, the excitable glass panel 36, and the insulating material section 40 can be considered as lying adjacent to the primary glass panel 32. The structural bonding layer 42 can be formed from a polymer material designed to absorb shocks and vibrations and prevent the glass panels from shattering into large, sharp fragments.The acoustic transducer laminated glass plate 30 additionally includes an exciter 44, which is attached to the first section 36-1 of each excitable glass plate 36 and is configured to generate the excitation stimulus 38.

[0024] As in the Fig. 3A and Fig. As shown in Figure 3B, in cross-sectional views 3A-3A and 3B-3B, the primary glass pane 32 defines a cavity region 46 above the first section 36-1 of each excitable glass pane 36. As shown in Fig. As shown in Figure 3A, the first section 36-1 of each excitable glass pane 36 can extend outside of or beyond the primary glass pane 32. The embodiment of Fig. 3A is also shown in the top view in Fig. 4A shown. As in Fig. As shown in Figure 3B, the primary glass pane 32 can extend over and cover each cavity region 46 and the first section 36-1 of each excitable glass pane 36. The embodiment of Fig. 3 is also shown in the top view in Fig. 4B shown. As in each of the Fig. 3B and Fig. As shown in Figure 4B, the primary glass pane 32 can have a flat or uniform outer surface 32A, which defines a first outer surface 30A of the acoustic transducer laminated glass pane 30. As in each of the Fig. 3A and Fig. As can be seen in 3B, the primary glass pane 32 can also have an inner surface 32B in contact with the structural adhesive layer 42.

[0025] In the cross-sectional views 3A-3A and 3B-3B, which are in the respective Fig. 3A and Fig. As shown in Figure 3B, the secondary glass pane 34, each excitable glass pane 36, and the insulating material section 40 together can define an essentially continuous flat (uniform) second outer surface 30B of the acoustic transducer laminated glass panel 30. Furthermore, in each of the cross-sectional views of the Fig. 3A and Fig. 3B The primary glass pane 32, the secondary glass pane 34, the excitable glass pane(s) 36, and the insulating material section 40 together have a combined thickness of approximately 5 mm. In the context of the vehicle 10, the acoustic transducer laminated glass panel 30, which is used as the roof pane part 20G, can be mounted on an upper frame section of the roof section 14-5. Each exciter 44 can be electrically connected to a vehicle infotainment system (not shown) located in the vehicle cabin 16 to generate the excitation stimulus 38 for audio playback via the acoustic transducer laminated glass panel 30.

[0026] The acoustic transducer laminated glass panel 30 can be combined with a structural frame section of the vehicle body 12, as in Fig. 5 shown, or connected to a building structure (not shown). In particular, a urethane adhesive 48, which connects the roof glass embodiment of the acoustic transducer laminated glass panel 30 to the vehicle body 12, can be applied around the perimeter of the glass panel 30. Accordingly, the urethane adhesive 48 can be applied to both the secondary glass pane 34 and the excitable glass pane(s) 36. A flange or extended edge 12A of the body frame can be used as a mounting surface for the acoustic transducer laminated glass panel 30. Such an embodiment of the acoustic transducer laminated glass panel 30 is configured to be attached to the vehicle body. A movable roof-mounted acoustic transducer laminated glass panel 30, or a section thereof, is also provided.

[0027] A protective molded part 50 can be arranged between the flange 12A and the acoustic transducer laminated glass plate 30 to prevent dirt from accumulating around the urethane adhesive 48 and damaging it (in Fig. (5 shown). The molded part 50 can be attached to the excitable glass pane(s) 36 and the secondary glass pane 34, or it can contact the excitable glass pane(s) 36 and the secondary glass pane 34 and be attached directly to the vehicle body 12. Additionally, the molded part 50 can be used to... Fig. 3A and Fig. 4A to cover the cavity area 46 in the embodiment shown, in which the primary glass pane 32 does not extend beyond the cavity area by being attached to the vehicle body 12 above the glass plate 30 (not shown).

[0028] Overall, the acoustic transducer laminated glass panel 30 enables the use of window glass for sound reproduction. The acoustic transducer laminated glass panel is a laminated structure comprising excitable glass pane(s) attached to, but separated from, the primary pane along the secondary pane. The acoustic transducer laminated glass panel defines a cavity area designed to allow the acoustic response of the excitable glass pane adjacent to the cavity area. Such a cavity area can be formed over a section of the excitable glass pane and can be defined between the excitable glass pane and the primary glass pane. Such glass panels can be used in both vehicles and building structures.

Claims

[1] Acoustic transducer composite glass panel (30), comprising: a primary glass pane (32); a secondary glass pane (34); at least one excitable glass pane (36) designed to respond acoustically to an excitation stimulus (38); and an insulating material section (40) which is designed to separate a corresponding excitable glass pane (36) from the secondary glass pane (34); where in a cross-sectional view: the secondary glass pane (34) is arranged along the primary glass pane (32) and at an equal distance from it; each excitable glass pane (36) is arranged along the primary glass pane (32) and at an equal distance therefrom and adjacent to the secondary glass pane (34), and a first section (36-1) of each excitable glass pane (36) is spaced apart from the primary glass pane (32); and the insulating material section (40) is arranged along the primary glass pane (32) and at an equal distance therefrom between an edge of the secondary glass pane (34) and an edge of a second section (36-2) of the corresponding excitable glass pane (36), further comprising an exciter (44) which is attached to the first section (36-1) of each excitable glass plate (36) and is configured to generate the excitation stimulus (38). [2] Acoustic transducer laminated glass plate (30) according to claim 1, further comprising, in cross-sectional view, a structural adhesive layer (42) arranged between the primary glass pane (32) and the second section (36-2) of each excitable glass pane (36), the insulating material section (40) and the secondary glass pane (34). [3] Acoustic transducer laminated glass plate (30) according to claim 2, wherein, in cross-sectional view, the primary glass plate (32) has a flat outer surface and an inner surface in contact with the structural bonding layer (42). [4] Acoustic transducer laminated glass panel (30) according to claim 1, wherein the laminated glass panel (30) is a part of a vehicle roof part and a vehicle rear window part. [5] Acoustic transducer laminated glass panel (30) according to claim 1, wherein, in the cross-sectional view, the primary glass panel (32) defines a cavity area (46) above the first section (36-1) of each excitable glass panel (36). [6] Acoustic transducer laminated glass plate (30) according to claim 5, wherein, in the cross-sectional view, the first section (36-1) of each excitable glass plate (36) extends outside the primary glass plate (32). [7] Acoustic transducer laminated glass plate (30) according to claim 5, wherein, in cross-sectional view, the primary glass plate (32) extends over and covers each cavity area (46) and the first section (36-1) of each excitable glass plate (36). [8] Acoustic transducer composite glass plate (30) according to claim 1, wherein, in cross-sectional view, the secondary glass plate (34), each excitable glass plate (36) and the insulating material section (40) together define a continuous flat outer surface of the acoustic transducer composite glass plate (30). [9] Acoustic transducer laminated glass plate (30) according to claim 8, wherein, in cross-sectional view, the primary glass plate (32), the secondary glass plate (34), the excitable glass plate(s) (36) and the insulating material section (40) together have a combined thickness of 5 mm.

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