Method for providing a functional surface in a vehicle, component with a functional surface and vehicle

Abstract

To provide a method for the functional extension of vehicle components, a method for providing a functional surface (10) in a vehicle (100) is proposed, comprising the following steps: - Providing (A) a component (100) of the vehicle (200), and - Processing (B) a surface (10) of the component (100) by means of a laser device, wherein a structure (11) is formed on the surface (10) which is designed in such a way as to prevent the surface (10) from fogging with moisture, and / or in such a way that the structure provides optically perceptible information, wherein the component (100) has double glazing, wherein the structure (11) is formed on at least one of the inner surfaces of the double glazing.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a method for providing a functional surface in a vehicle, a component having a surface with a structure formed by such a method, and a vehicle having such a component.

[0002] In winter, condensation forms on various surfaces of a vehicle, such as the inside of the windshield, side windows, or sensor covers, obstructing the driver's or the sensor's view from inside the vehicle. This is particularly relevant in the area of ​​the sensor or camera lens, as this area is inaccessible to the driver for manual removal. Condensation can also form on the inside of the headlight housing due to water diffusing through over a prolonged period; this is considered a quality defect.

[0003] Solutions exist for heating the windshield to remove condensation. However, heating the windshield requires time and energy, and therefore incurs costs.

[0004] Furthermore, anti-fog agents are known to be applied to the surface, but these lose their effectiveness after some time and must be reapplied.

[0005] Furthermore, the use of silica gel is known, but this becomes saturated over time.

[0006] WO 2019 / 221 255 A1 discloses a method for forming a surface microstructure which makes it possible to form a microstructure on the surface of an object without using strong chemicals.

[0007] Furthermore, CN 1 01 727 010 A discloses methods for producing biomimetic colored superhydrophobic coatings by multi-beam interference photoetching.

[0008] CN 2 04 547 694 U also discloses a device for removing condensation from a vehicle using an infrared laser source arranged on a rail system.

[0009] Furthermore, WO 2025 / 153 447 A1 discloses a method for producing a glass pane with an anti-fog structure in a section of the surface of the glass pane by laser interference structuring.

[0010] The invention is based on the objective of providing a method for the functional extension of vehicle components.

[0011] This problem is solved by the features specified in claim 1. Further advantageous embodiments of the invention are described in the dependent claims.

[0012] According to the invention, a structure is formed on the surface using a laser device, wherein the structure is designed to be functional. This can mean, for example, that no moisture or condensation forms on it, that it provides information, and / or that it is decorative.

[0013] The surface in question is, in particular, a transparent pane, especially made of glass or plastic. The structure is designed in such a way that the pane remains transparent, so that the driver's view through the pane or that of a vehicle sensor is not obstructed.

[0014] Preferably, the structure can be formed on one or more partial areas of the surface or on substantially the entire surface. In the case of a disc, the structure is applied particularly to an inward-facing side of the disc, which is especially oriented towards a passenger compartment or an area in which a sensor is arranged.

[0015] Preferably, the component is a windshield or a rear window. The structure is formed, in particular, on the inside of the windshield. The structure can preferably cover the entire windshield or rear window, especially if it is designed to be anti-fog, or it can cover only one or more areas, for example, the driver's and / or passenger's field of vision and / or an area that obscures a sensor located behind the windshield, especially if it is designed to be anti-fog. It is understood that the structure can also be formed on the side windows of the vehicle. If the structure is for providing information or for decoration, it can be applied to the surface in a defined shape, as described below.

[0016] Preferably, the component is a mirror. In particular, the mirror is an exterior mirror or a rearview mirror.

[0017] Preferably, the component is a headlight lens. The structure is applied specifically to the inner side of the headlight lens, the side facing the headlight, as moisture typically collects there, leading to fogging of the lens.

[0018] Preferably, the component is a sensor window, in particular a camera window. The sensor window can be an area of ​​the windshield that covers the sensor. Alternatively, it can be a separate sensor window for a sensor located on an outer surface, for example in the area of ​​the bumper.

[0019] Preferably, the structure is formed on a side of the component facing away from the environment. As described above, this can be a side of a disc facing the vehicle interior or the inside of a sensor housing. This is particularly advantageous because moisture typically collects indoors and causes the disc to fog up.

[0020] According to the invention, the component has double glazing, wherein the structure is formed on at least one of the inner surfaces of the double glazing. The panes of the double glazing can be made of glass or plastic. In the event of a leak in the space between the panes of the double glazing, moisture can also penetrate here, which can lead to condensation. The structure in the area of ​​the space can advantageously prevent condensation.

[0021] Preferably, the structure is formed on both inner surfaces of the double glazing. This prevents condensation particularly effectively.

[0022] Preferably, the surface has no anti-fog coating. In particular, the surface consists solely of a structure designed to inhibit condensation. Additional anti-fog components, such as heating elements or optical devices, may be provided to further inhibit condensation in addition to the structure. However, it is preferred that only the structure is used for this purpose, in order to achieve a simple and cost-effective design.

[0023] Preferably, the structure is a prism structure. This is specifically designed to exhibit the properties of an optical prism and to disperse light according to wavelengths. This advantageously allows an incident white light beam to be dispersed into different wavelengths or colors, so that the surface or the area of ​​the surface with the structure appears multicolored.

[0024] Preferably, a homogeneous structure is formed on the surface, particularly the entire surface. It is also possible for only parts of the entire structure to be homogeneous, while other areas are not. A homogeneous structure, in particular, essentially comprises exactly one structural element that is repeated across the surface.

[0025] Preferably, an inhomogeneous structure is formed on the surface, in particular the entire surface. An inhomogeneous structure essentially comprises several structural elements that are repeated across the surface.

[0026] Preferably, the structure is designed such that its visibility is only present or enhanced when the surface is wet, dirty, or exposed to light. Accordingly, the structure is essentially not visible, or less visible, when dry and clean, or without light, especially direct light.

[0027] For example, compared to other areas of the surface that do not have the structure, it may be designed in such a way that moisture or water droplets adhere to it to a greater extent and are visible there, and / or that the structure changes its color and / or brightness when wet to create a contrast. In particular, the contrast can be created by having either only the structure itself or only the areas surrounding it have the anti-fog coating. Furthermore, the moisture may affect the refraction of light, producing, for example, colored reflections.

[0028] For example, the structure may be designed in such a way that dirt adheres to it better or worse than to other areas of the surface that do not have the structure. Accordingly, a contrast is created by the fact that the structure exhibits dirt while the other areas do not, or vice versa.

[0029] For example, compared to other areas of the surface that do not exhibit the structure, it may be designed in such a way that incident light is more strongly reflected or mirrored, and / or that the light is spectrally dispersed in the area of ​​the structure. In the latter case, the structure may then be, in particular, the prism structure described above.

[0030] The structure is preferably periodic. In this case, the structure comprises a pattern that repeats periodically, or structural elements that repeat periodically. In particular, the periodic structure can be a prism structure.

[0031] Preferably, the surface on which the structure is applied has the shape of an emblem, symbol, and / or sign. The shape can advantageously be chosen to provide information to the viewer, and / or it can be decorative. For example, the shape can also be a pictogram, a brand logo, an emoticon, a number, a letter, a word, or a string of characters.

[0032] Preferably, the structure comprises point-like elevations and / or line-like elevations. These elevations constitute structural elements. The elevations can be formed, in particular, by creating depressions, so that within the structure those areas that are not depressions protrude from the surface as elevations.

[0033] Preferably, the structure can comprise a macrostructure and a microstructure. For example, the macrostructure can be formed by the previously described point-like elevations and / or line-like elevations, while each elevation in turn has a microstructure, which can also be formed, for example, by point-like elevations and / or line-like elevations.

[0034] It is understood that the process can not only be used to form a structure on a component, but that several, in particular all, components of a vehicle on which condensation can form can also be processed with the process.

[0035] The problem according to the invention is further solved by a component having a surface with a structure formed by a method according to one of the aforementioned embodiments.

[0036] The component can be, in particular, a windshield, a mirror, especially a rearview mirror or an exterior mirror, a headlight lens or a sensor window of a vehicle.

[0037] Exemplary embodiments of the invention are explained in more detail below with reference to the drawings. The drawings show: Fig. 1. A flowchart of a procedure for providing an anti-fog surface in a vehicle, and Fig. 2 a vehicle comprising components with surface structures formed by means of the process, Fig. 3. the creation of a contrast in structure through external influences, and Fig. 4 a structure in the form of a prism structure for the spectral dispersal of incident light.

[0038] In the figures, the same constructive elements each have the same reference numerals.

[0039] Fig. Figure 1 shows a flowchart of a process for providing an anti-fog surface 10 of a component 100 of a vehicle 200, as is the case, for example, in Fig. Figure 2 shows that in a first process step, a surface 10 of the component 100 is provided (A). The component 100 can, in particular, be a pane of the vehicle 200, such as a windshield 12, a mirror, in particular a rearview mirror 15 or an exterior mirror 13a, b, a headlight lens 16a, b or a sensor window 14.

[0040] In a further process step, the surface 10 of component 100 is processed using a laser device (B), whereby a structure 11 is formed on the surface 10, which is designed in such a way as to prevent the surface 10 from fogging with moisture.

[0041] Fig. Figure 2 shows a vehicle 200, which comprises several components 100, with surfaces 10 which are made using the method from Fig. 1 were processed.

[0042] The components are mirrors of the vehicle 100, in particular exterior mirrors 13a, 13b or a rearview mirror 15. Furthermore, the components 100 are panes, in particular a windshield 12, a rear window 17 or sensor windows 14 of several sensors, which are arranged on the vehicle 200.

[0043] In the case of the exterior mirror 13a, 13b and the rearview mirror 15, the structure is formed on the surface facing the environment. In the case of the panes, the structure is located on a surface facing an interior space or area. The panes can also be double-glazed, in which case the structure is formed on one or both surfaces facing the space between the panes.

[0044] In Fig. Figure 3 shows various embodiments for generating a contrast of the structure 11 under different external influences. It is shown that the structure 11 can be designed such that it is essentially not visible or only slightly visible under dry conditions T, while under wet conditions N a contrast in the form of a colored reflection is created.

[0045] Furthermore, in the case of soiling V of the surface compared to a cleanliness S, a contrast can be created by dirt adhering to the structure 11, but not to the other areas outside the structure 11.

[0046] In addition, brightness H can create a contrast in structure 11 compared to the situation in darkness D, for example by reflecting the incident light, so that a colored reflection is created.

[0047] The formation of colored reflection is in Fig.Figure 4 shows the structure 11 in the form of a prism structure, which causes incident white light E to be refracted, whereby a spectral dispersal of the refracted light G is produced due to the wavelength-dependent refraction. Reference symbol list 100 components 200 vehicles 10 surface 11 Structure 12 Windscreen 13a, b Exterior mirrors 14 sensor windows 15 rearview mirrors 16a, b Headlight glass 17 Rear window A, B process steps T drought N wetness S Cleanliness V Pollution The darkness H brightness E Incident light G Refracted light

Claims

Method for providing a functional surface (10) of a vehicle (200), comprising the following steps: - providing (A) a component (100) of the vehicle (200) and - processing (B) a surface (10) of the component (100) using a laser device, wherein, in particular by processing, a structure (11) is formed on the surface (10) which is designed in such a way as to prevent the surface (10) from fogging with moisture and / or to provide optically perceptible information, wherein the component (100) has double glazing, wherein the structure (11) is formed on at least one of the inner surfaces of the double glazing. Method according to claim 1, wherein the component (100) is a windshield (12) or a rear window (17), or wherein the component (100) is a mirror, in particular an exterior mirror (13a, b) or a rearview mirror (15), or wherein the component (100) is a headlight lens (16a, b), or wherein the component (100) is a sensor window (14), in particular a camera window. Method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the structure (11) is formed on a side of the component (100) facing away from the environment. Method according to claim 1, wherein the structure (11) is formed on both inner surfaces of the double glazing or wherein the structure (11) is a prism structure. Method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein a homogeneous or an inhomogeneous structure (11) is formed on the, in particular entire, surface (10). Method according to one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the structure (11) is designed such that the structure is only visible or enhanced when the surface is wet (N), dirty (V) or exposed to light (H). Method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein a surface on which the structure (11) is applied has the form of an emblem, a symbol and / or a sign. Method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the structure (11) comprises point-shaped elevations and / or line-shaped elevations. Component (100) comprising a surface (10) with a structure (11) formed by a method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the component (100) has double glazing, wherein the structure (11) is formed on at least one of the inner surfaces of the double glazing. Vehicle (200) comprising a component (100) according to claim 9 .

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