VEHICLE COMPOSITE WINDOW WITH A DETECTION ZONE AND A THERMOPLASTIC INTERMEDIATE LAYER IN THE SHAPE OF A CUT ANGLE IN THE DETECTION ZONE

Abstract

Composite vehicle window with sensor area (9) comprising at least one outer window (1) with an outer face (i) and an inner face (ii), an inner window (2) with an inner face (iii) and an outer face (iv), the inner face (ii) of the outer window (1) and the inner face (iii) of the inner window (2) being connected to each other by an intermediate thermoplastic layer (3), a roof edge (d) and an engine edge (m), at least one insert (8) being placed between the inner face (ii) of the outer window (1) and the inner face (iii) of the inner window (2), which is located outside the sensing area (9) and causes a local change in the thickness of the intermediate thermoplastic layer (3) inside the sensing area (9),so that the thickness of the intermediate thermoplastic layer (3) is variable in the vertical path between the roof edge (d) and the engine edge (m) at least by sections within the detection zone (9) with a wedging angle (α).

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a vehicle composite disc, a method for its manufacture and its use.

[0002] Modern vehicles are equipped with an increasing number of optical sensors, the signals from which are used to assist the driver. Examples of such sensors include cameras such as video cameras or night vision cameras, rain sensors, light sensors, and distance sensors. Forward-facing sensors are often mounted on the interior surface of the windshield, typically in the center near the top edge. The sensor area is the region of the windshield through which radiation passing through the sensor is detected. Therefore, the sensor area of ​​the windshield is the region that lies within the sensor's detection beam path.

[0003] Windshields consist of two panes of glass laminated together with a thermoplastic interlayer. In driving situations, under certain contrast conditions, looking through the windshield can result in double images, a well-known optical aberration. This aberration arises from the splitting of a light beam transmitted through the windshield due to multiple reflections within the glass, creating two images of the same point on the viewer's retina. For this aberration to be perceptible, the contrast must be sufficient to distinguish the double image from the surroundings. The images differ significantly, especially on curved laminated glass such as windshields. While the intensity of this double image, often referred to as a ghost image, is weaker than that of the primary image, it is nonetheless distracting to the viewer.Furthermore, optical sensors, such as a camera mounted behind the windshield, are also affected by the ghost image. Particularly with regard to the further development of autonomous driving, the acceptance of ghost images visible in transmission, even within sensor areas, is decreasing, and the tolerances to be maintained for sensor areas are becoming increasingly tighter.

[0004] The problem of ghosting is particularly well-known in the field of head-up displays (HUDs). HUDs consist of a projector, for example located in the dashboard or roof area, which projects images onto the windshield, reflects them, and is perceived by the driver as a virtual image (from their perspective) behind the windshield. This allows important information to be projected into the driver's field of vision. Unwanted ghosting is already successfully avoided in HUDs by positioning the reflective glass surfaces at a deliberately chosen angle to each other, so that the main image and the ghost image overlap, thus making the ghost image less noticeable. This angle is typically around 0.5 mrad for conventional laminated glass used in head-up displays.

[0005] If the surfaces of the glass panes are to be arranged at an angle as described, it is common to use a thermoplastic film with a non-constant thickness. This is also referred to as a wedge-shaped film or wedge foil. The angle between the two surfaces of the film is called the wedge angle. Laminated glass for head-up displays with wedge foils is known, for example, from EP1800855B1 or EP1880243A2. WO 2019 / 064279 A1 also discloses a laminated glass pane for vehicles whose interlayer has a wedge angle.

[0006] However, such wedge-shaped films are complex and expensive to manufacture. Against this background, approaches exist to avoid the use of wedge-shaped films. For example, WO2017 / 153166A1 uses a perforated thermoplastic composite film whose perforations have a size gradient. This results in a mass gradient within the composite film, which, after lamination of the composite sheet and fusing of the film, forms a composite sheet with a wedge angle. Such processes are complex.

[0007] The present invention is based on the objective of providing a vehicle composite windscreen in whose sensor area the occurrence of ghost images is reduced, as well as a method for its manufacture and its use.

[0008] The object of the present invention is achieved according to the invention by a vehicle composite disc according to claim 1. Preferred embodiments are described in the dependent claims.

[0009] The composite vehicle window according to the invention comprises at least one outer pane and one inner pane, which are bonded together via a thermoplastic intermediate layer. The composite vehicle window is intended for separating a vehicle interior from its external environment. The composite vehicle window is therefore a window pane that is installed in, or intended to be installed in, a window opening in the vehicle body. The inner pane is the pane that, when installed, is intended to face the interior of the vehicle. The outer pane is the pane that, when installed, is intended to face the external environment of the vehicle. The outer pane has an outer surface that, when installed, faces the external environment of the vehicle. The surface of the outer pane opposite the outer surface is referred to as the inner surface of the outer pane.The inner surface of the outer pane faces the inner pane of the laminated glass. The inner pane of the laminated glass also has an inner and an outer surface. When the laminated glass is installed, the outer surface of the inner pane faces the vehicle interior. The inner surface of the inner pane faces the outer pane. The inner surface of the outer pane and the inner surface of the inner pane are bonded together by the thermoplastic interlayer. The vehicle laminated glass has a roof edge and a motor edge, which designate two essentially opposing edges of the glass. The roof edge is the upper edge of the laminated glass that faces the vehicle roof when installed. The motor edge is the lower edge opposite the roof edge (also called the upper edge), which is designed to face the vehicle floor when installed.In the case of a windshield as a composite vehicle windshield, the engine edge is the edge of the windshield adjacent to the engine compartment. According to the invention, at least one insert is placed between the inner surface of the outer pane and the inner surface of the inner pane. The insert is positioned outside the sensor area, adjacent to the sensor area, and causes a local change in the thickness of the thermoplastic intermediate layer within the sensor area. The thickness of the thermoplastic intermediate layer is thus variable, at least section by section, within the sensor area along the vertical path between the roof edge and the engine edge, with a wedge angle α. The insert according to the invention thus creates a wedge-shaped profile of the thermoplastic intermediate layer without the costly use of wedge films. Furthermore, the integration of the insert into the layer stack of the intermediate layer is easily accomplished in the production process.

[0010] The at least one insert causes a local thickening within the thermoplastic interlayer. The insert is preferably made of a material that does not melt during the autoclave process and therefore does not thermoplastically flow during the autoclave process. The thermoplastic interlayer comprises one or more composite films that do thermoplastically flow during the autoclave process. The outer and inner panes are bonded together by the thermoplastic interlayer. This means that the majority of the interlayer is made of a thermoplastic, typically polymeric, material and ensures adhesion between the panes. This thermoplastic material is arranged across the surface between the inner and outer panes and consists of at least one thermoplastic composite film.The local increase in thickness introduced by the insert creates a wedge-shaped cavity in the stack of layers consisting of discs and interlayer adjacent to the insert. During lamination of the composite disc, this wedge-shaped cavity is filled by the thermoplastic interlayer, resulting in a wedge-shaped thermoplastic interlayer with a wedge angle α in this area. The wedge angle thus forms adjacent to the insert and not within the area of ​​the insert. Therefore, the insert lies outside the sensor field and does not interfere with the beam path.

[0011] In the context of the invention, a thickness change in the sensor area, at least in sections, means that a thickness change with a wedge angle α is present in at least a partial region of the sensor area. Preferably, the thickness change with a wedge angle α extends over at least 50%, more preferably over at least 70%, and most preferably over at least 90% of the sensor area. In particular, the wedge angle α is present over the entire sensor area. This is advantageous with regard to achieving the best possible compensation for ghost images.

[0012] In the context of the invention, the wedge angle α is defined as the mean wedge angle present in the relevant area under consideration, calculated as the average of the wedge angles effectively measurable in that area. If the wedge angle is constant across the entire sensor area, the area under consideration corresponds to the entire sensor area. Even constant wedge angles exhibit the minor deviations familiar to those skilled in the art, which are caused, for example, by variations in production and measurement methods. With variable wedge angles, a more detailed or localized analysis of the wedge angle is necessary, depending on the specific design.

[0013] Depending on the sensor used, the sensor area can have a round, elliptical, or rectangular shape, for example. A round or rectangular shape is common. The sensor area has a top edge facing the roof edge of the laminated glass, a bottom edge pointing towards the motor edge, and two opposing side edges, each running between the motor edge and the roof edge. In the case of round or elliptical shapes, the corresponding tangent is used to define the edges.

[0014] The area where a wedge angle α exists can extend beyond the sensor area. For example, if several sensor areas, in which a wedge angle is to be generated by an insert, are located next to each other, the insert can extend along both sensor areas and also over the intervening area of ​​the composite disc. This is advantageous for simplified production. Positioning a single, larger insert saves a work step compared to positioning two separate inserts.

[0015] The insert can be placed adjacent to any edge of the sensor area. The edge adjacent to which the insert is placed is determined based on the desired wedge angle. The insert is placed at the edge where the greater thickness of the interlayer is required. The edges of the sensor area are defined as the respective sections of the sensor area that are closest to the disk edge. In the case of a round or oval sensor area, a tangent to it is considered.

[0016] Preferably, the thickness of the thermoplastic intermediate layer increases between the edge of the sensor area furthest from the insert and the insert itself, and decreases between the insert and the nearest disc edge. The insert causes a thickening of the intermediate layer, which in turn affects the surrounding intermediate layer, causing its thickness to decrease with increasing distance from the insert until it reaches the thickness of the intermediate layer outside the insert's influence area. This pattern can be observed throughout the entire vicinity of the insert. In accordance with the invention, this effect is generally utilized in the area adjacent to the insert where the wedge angle exhibits the desired profile. At two opposing edges of the insert, a decrease in thickness with increasing distance from the insert is observed, with the signs of the resulting wedge angles in these areas being opposite.Methods for calculating or simulating the wedge angles required to compensate for ghost images in a disk arrangement are known to those skilled in the art.

[0017] The insert is preferably positioned outside the area of ​​the laminated windscreen defined as the A-field of vision according to the regulations of the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe ECE-R 43, Annex 21, § 2.2. This has the advantage that the insert can be selected from a wide variety of materials without regard to any potential optical distortions caused by the insert that are unacceptable in the driver's field of vision.

[0018] Preferably, the insert is arranged adjacent to the edge of the sensor area closest to a pane edge, i.e., it lies between the sensor area and the pane edge. This is advantageous with regard to a greater distance between the insert and the viewing area of ​​the glazing. In an advantageous embodiment, the black print, which is common in the edge area of ​​vehicle glazing, is extended into the area of ​​the insert, so that the insert is not visible to the observer and is completely concealed.

[0019] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the thickness of the thermoplastic intermediate layer increases between the edge of the sensor area closest to the motor edge and the insert, and decreases between the insert and the roof edge. The insert is positioned adjacent to the edge of the sensor area closest to the roof edge, i.e., between the sensor area and the roof edge. The resulting wedge angle profile is well-suited for compensating for ghost images. The required value of the wedge angle depends on various factors, such as the lens thickness, particularly the thickness of the inner lens. While the thickness of the outer lens also has an influence, it is considerably less variable due to the required stone chip resistance.

[0020] The resulting wedge angle α in the sensor area is 0.3 mrad to 2 mrad, preferably 0.5 mrad to 1.5 mrad, and particularly preferably 0.8 mrad to 1.2 mrad. Wedge angles of this magnitude are particularly suitable for the effective compensation of ghost images. The magnitude of the wedge angle required for ghost image compensation can be determined experimentally, through calculations, and also by means of simulation methods, and can be ascertained for known disk geometries. The desired wedge angle can be easily achieved with the at least one insert according to the invention. Even comparatively large wedge angles can be produced with minimal effort, without having to resort to costly solutions such as wedge foils.

[0021] Preferably, the at least one insert is essentially strip-shaped. Strip-shaped, as used in the invention, means that the insert has an elongated form, with the extent of the insert along one side edge being significantly greater than along the other side edge. This has the advantage of keeping the total surface area of ​​the insert, and thus also the total area within which a thickness increase is introduced, as small as possible. This minimizes undesirable stresses within the composite disc.

[0022] The strip-shaped insert is preferably positioned between the sensor area and the top edge of the composite disc and runs essentially parallel or tangentially to the upper edge of the sensor area associated with the insert. The upper edge of the sensor area is defined as the edge of the sensor area closest to the top edge. This results in a uniform wedge angle, independent of the disc's position when installed, along the horizontal plane. This is advantageous for the uniform compensation of ghost images. In contrast, an insert running at a larger angle to the edge of the sensor area, deviating from the horizontal, leads to varying wedge angles along a horizontal line parallel to the top edge of the composite disc. Such embodiments are also feasible according to the invention, but are generally undesirable due to technical requirements.The insert, which runs parallel or tangentially to the upper edge of the sensor area, generally also runs parallel to the roof edge of the composite disc.

[0023] The distance between the roof edge of the laminated glass and the at least one insert is 10 mm to 300 mm, preferably 30 mm to 200 mm, and particularly preferably 50 mm to 150 mm. Within these ranges, the insert can be integrated particularly well into the opaque covering print of the vehicle glazing, and sensor areas are often provided in the corresponding sections of the glass to which the invention can be advantageously applied.

[0024] The insert is typically placed at a distance of 0 mm to 50 mm, preferably 0 mm to 20 mm, and particularly preferably 0 mm to 10 mm from the sensor area where the wedge angle α is to be generated. The insert creates only a locally limited change in thickness with a wedge angle α, so the distance between the insert and the sensor area should be kept as small as possible to optimally utilize the area with the wedge angle α. For this purpose, the insert can also run directly along an edge, preferably the top edge, of the sensor area at a distance of 0 mm. Depending on the required size of the sensor area, and especially for small sensor areas, larger distances can also be selected. In any case, it should be ensured that the insert is positioned outside the sensor area to avoid any optical interference with the sensor mounted behind the windshield.To ensure this is also within the manufacturing tolerances that occur in production, a small distance, which is nevertheless greater than 0 mm, is often chosen in practice, for example between 1 mm and 3 mm.

[0025] The at least one insert has a thickness of 20 µm to 150 µm, preferably 40 µm to 100 µm, and particularly preferably 50 µm to 80 µm. The thickness at which the insert should be used can be calculated by a person skilled in the art based on the required wedge angle. The aforementioned ranges refer to the total thickness of the insert; in the case of overlapping inserts, the individual thicknesses must be added. Inserts with a maximum thickness of 150 µm can be easily integrated into a composite disc without causing excessive stresses that could lead to damage or breakage of the disc.

[0026] In one embodiment of the composite disc, the at least one insert runs adjacent to the upper and / or lower edge of the sensor area and has a constant thickness. This creates a constant wedge angle in the vertical direction along the horizontal length of the insert in the adjacent sensor area. Alternatively, an insert of variable thickness could be used, resulting in a wedge angle not only in the vertical direction but also in the horizontal direction. However, such a wedge angle profile is rarely required in practice.

[0027] In another embodiment of the composite disc, at least one insert with variable thickness runs along one or both lateral edges of the sensor area. These lateral inserts can be provided individually or in combination with an insert at the top and / or bottom edge. The lateral inserts can, for example, be used to generate a variable wedge angle from the constant wedge angle induced by an insert at the top and / or bottom edge. In this case, the thickness profile within the sensor area no longer decreases constantly in one direction, but may also increase again. Using such an embodiment, virtually all wedge angle profiles relevant in practice can be realized.

[0028] Inserts of varying thicknesses can be created, for example, by using prefabricated insert elements from which the production worker selects the appropriate thickness. Preferably, especially for greater thicknesses, insert elements of different thicknesses are stacked on top of each other until the desired total thickness is reached. This has the advantage that inserts only need to be provided in the most common thicknesses. Inserts with variable thicknesses can also be assembled from an insert of constant thickness, onto which additional insert elements are applied in the desired areas.

[0029] The composite vehicle windscreen according to the invention can contain one or more inserts. The number, size, and position of the inserts depend, among other things, on the number and position of the sensor areas, but also on the complexity of the wedge angle profile.

[0030] Preferred embodiments are described, for example, as follows. A composite disc with an insert of constant thickness, running essentially parallel to the top edge and located between the upper edge of the sensor area and the top edge of the composite disc, is particularly advantageous for sensor windows near the top edge of the composite disc. This results in a constant wedge angle in the sensor area. In addition, such a composite disc can contain another insert at the lower edge of the sensor area, the thickness of which differs from the thickness of the insert at the upper edge. In this way, the thickness profile in the sensor area can also vary between any two values ​​determined by the thicknesses of the inserts. Furthermore, in addition to the insert at the upper edge, inserts with a non-constant thickness can also be used at the side edges of the sensor window, enabling a variable wedge angle.An optional insert is also available at the bottom edge.

[0031] The at least one insert is placed at any desired location between the inner surface of the inner pane and the inner surface of the outer pane. This provides advantageous flexibility during the manufacturing process. Preferably, the insert is placed on the inner surface of the outer pane, the inner surface of the inner pane, and / or within the thermoplastic interlayer, for example, on one of the thermoplastic composite films of the interlayer. Particularly preferably, the insert is placed on one of the inner surfaces of the panes. This is advantageous with regard to the most precise possible positioning of the insert. The films of the thermoplastic interlayer, on the other hand, are applied to the panes with a certain production tolerance. This production tolerance is added to the production tolerances that occur when inserting the insert itself. Therefore, directly applying the insert to one of the panes is the less error-prone option.

[0032] The at least one insert according to the invention can be made from a wide variety of materials. Glass, polymeric films, and / or adhesive tape are preferred. These materials can also be used in any combination, for example, in the form of a glass insert or a polymeric film fixed with adhesive tape.

[0033] In one possible embodiment, the insert is a polymeric film comprising a polyester film. This film does not shift during the autoclave lamination process of the laminated glass and thus remains completely in position without mixing with the surrounding thermoplastic interlayer. However, polyester films do not adhere well to glass, so minor air inclusions may occur. These are negligible as long as the insert is located in an area of ​​the laminated glass that is not visible, for example, one covered by an opaque printing layer. A polyethylene terephthalate (PET) film is preferably used.

[0034] In another embodiment, the insert is formed by a polymeric film comprising materials commonly used for thermoplastic composite films. Particularly suitable are films made of polyvinyl butyral (PVB), which are commercially available even in thin thicknesses of, for example, 50 µm. Unlike conventional thermoplastic composite films, these are low in plasticizers or free of plasticizers. Thin, low-plasticizer PVB films exhibit glass adhesion and bond with thermoplastic composite films during the autoclave process, thus preventing air inclusions.

[0035] In a particularly preferred embodiment of the invention, the at least one insert is an adhesive tape. Adhesive tapes are particularly suitable due to their self-adhesive properties and prevent the insert from slipping. Furthermore, application is very easy, and air inclusions are prevented, at least on the adhesive surface of the tape, when applied over a flat area. The adhesive tape is applied, in particular, to one or both inner surfaces of the glass panes. Other, non-self-adhesive inserts have the disadvantage that they are not fixed to the glass and can slip during the production process. The use of adhesive tape also proves particularly advantageous for multi-part inserts, which are assembled from several insert elements of different or the same thickness. The multi-part insert can be assembled directly on the glass pane from different layers, without the need for any further fixing.

[0036] The adhesive tape consists of a polymeric carrier film and an adhesive layer. The polymeric carrier film is primarily responsible for the thickness of the insert, while the adhesive layer ensures adhesion to the substrate.

[0037] The polymeric carrier film contains, for example, polypropylene (PP) and / or polyvinyl chloride (PVC). These plastics are particularly suitable for the production of adhesive tapes. In principle, however, any plastic or even fabric can be used.

[0038] The adhesive layer of the adhesive tape preferably comprises an adhesive from the group consisting of acrylate adhesives, hot melt adhesives, and / or natural rubber adhesives. Acrylate adhesives, in particular, are well suited for the production of adhesive tapes.

[0039] The outer pane and / or the inner pane preferably have an opaque cover print. Cover prints are common for vehicle windows outside the central field of vision to conceal add-on parts or to protect the adhesive bonding the vehicle window to the body from UV radiation. The cover print typically consists of a black or dark enamel applied and baked on using a screen printing process. Preferably, the cover print also surrounds the sensor area of ​​the laminated glass to conceal the sensor behind it. The at least one insert according to the invention is also concealed by the opaque cover print.

[0040] The laminated glass is specifically designed and suitable for attaching a sensor to the outer surface of its inner pane. For this purpose, the surface of the inner pane facing away from the interlayer can be equipped with suitable mountings, for example, with aBracket or housing. The area of ​​the composite disk that is located, or intended to be located, in the detection beam path of the sensor is referred to as the sensor area or sensor window. Radiation passing through the composite disk in the sensor area is detected by the sensor. The insert is positioned such that the wedge angle α is located within the sensor window area.

[0041] The thermoplastic interlayer is formed from at least one thermoplastic composite film, preferably containing ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA), polyvinyl butyral (PVB), or polyurethane (PU), or mixtures, copolymers, or derivatives thereof, particularly preferably PVB. The thickness of the thermoplastic film is preferably from 0.2 mm to 2 mm, particularly preferably from 0.3 mm to 1 mm, for example, 0.38 mm, 0.76 mm, 0.81 mm, or 0.84 mm. The interlayer can also be formed from several superimposed films or from layers of different materials, as is the case, for example, with films that have noise-reducing properties. If the insert is to be integrated into the interlayer, it is applied to one of the surfaces of the composite films. If the thermoplastic interlayer consists of several composite films, the insert can also be placed between the composite films.The interlayer films are typically inserted between the panes over a large area and continuously, with the interlayer films also extending seamlessly across the entire surface within the insertion area. The thickness of the interlayer in the insertion area is therefore determined by the total thickness of the insertion and the thickness of the thermoplastic interlayer films.

[0042] Depending on the material chosen for the insert, it may not bond to adjacent panes and / or adjacent thermoplastic interlayers during lamination. Even if these materials do not form an adhesive bond with each other, the stability of the laminated pane achieved by the interlayers is not significantly reduced by the insert. The inserts are securely fixed by the surrounding thermoplastic interlayer.

[0043] Another aspect of the invention is an arrangement comprising a composite vehicle windscreen according to the invention and an optical sensor attached thereto, which is mounted on the interior surface of the inner windscreen facing away from the interlayer and is directed towards the sensor area of ​​the composite windscreen, i.e., the area with wedge angle α. The detection beam path of the sensor thus passes through the composite windscreen in the sensor area. The optical sensor is preferably an optical camera, that is, a camera with sensitivity in the visible spectral range, for example, a lane-keeping camera or a camera for a Augmented Reality head-up display. In another preferred embodiment, the sensor is an IR camera that detects radiation in the infrared region of the spectrum.

[0044] The refractive index of the outer and inner panes is preferably the same and is preferably from 1.4 to 1.6, more preferably from 1.5 to 1.6 or from 1.45 to 1.55, and particularly from 1.50 to 1.55. The outer and inner panes of composite vehicle windows are typically made of soda-lime glass. Soda-lime glass has refractive indices of 1.5 to 1.6, particularly from 1.5 to 1.55, for example 1.52. However, other types of glass can also be used, such as borosilicate glass (refractive index, for example, 1.47), aluminosilicate glass (refractive index, for example, 1.5), or fused silica (refractive index, for example, 1.46). The thickness of the outer and inner panes is typically from 0.5 mm to 5 mm, preferably from 1 mm to 3 mm.

[0045] The outer pane, the inner pane, and / or the interlayer can be clear and colorless, but also tinted, opaque, or colored. In a preferred embodiment, the total transmission through the laminated glass is greater than 70%, particularly when the laminated glass is a windshield. The term "total transmission" refers to the procedure for testing the light transmittance of motor vehicle windows as specified in ECE-R 43, Annex 3, Section 9.1. The outer pane and the inner pane can be made of non-tempered, partially tempered, or tempered glass.

[0046] The vehicle window is preferably curved in one or more directions, as is common for automotive windows, with typical radii of curvature ranging from approximately 10 cm to approximately 40 m. However, the laminated glass can also be flat, for example, if it is intended as a window for buses, trains, or tractors.

[0047] The invention also comprises a method for manufacturing a vehicle composite disc, wherein (a) an outer pane and an inner pane with an intermediate thermoplastic layer are arranged over one another, wherein at least one insert is placed on the inside of the inner pane, on the inside of the outer pane and / or within the thermoplastic layer, and (b) the outer pane is bonded to the inner pane via the thermoplastic layer by lamination, wherein a wedge angle α of the thermoplastic intermediate layer is formed in an area of ​​the vehicle composite disc adjacent to the insert.

[0048] The at least one insert is formed, in particular, by an adhesive tape. This is supplied in roll form, pressed with the adhesive side against the surface to be bonded, unrolled, and successively fixed to the surface by pressing. If a greater thickness is required in the area of ​​the insert, either across the entire surface or in sections, the process is repeated in these areas. If several inserts are required in different areas, they can be applied simultaneously or sequentially. Preferably, in step a, the insert is applied in the form of an adhesive tape to the inside of the inner pane and / or the inside of the outer pane.

[0049] The thermoplastic interlayer preferably comprises at least one thermoplastic composite film in addition to the at least one insert. The two panes and the intervening composite film with at least one insert are arranged one above the other in a flat and substantially congruent manner. The stack is then subjected to conventional methods for producing laminated panes. The outer pane is bonded to the inner pane by lamination via the thermoplastic interlayer, which is formed during the process from the at least one thermoplastic composite film containing the inserts. This is carried out using conventional methods known to those skilled in the art, such as autoclave processes, vacuum bag processes, vacuum ring processes, calender processes, vacuum laminators, or combinations thereof. The bonding of the outer and inner panes is typically achieved under the influence of heat, vacuum, and / or pressure.

[0050] If the composite vehicle windscreen is to have a bend, as is common in passenger cars, the windscreens are subjected to a bending process before lamination, for example by gravity bending, suction bending and / or press bending. Typical bending temperatures range from 500°C to 700°C.

[0051] Preferably, an opaque cover print is applied to the edge area of ​​the outer and / or inner pane before lamination and optional bending. Typically, a black or dark enamel is applied by screen printing and fired on before lamination, particularly before or during bending.

[0052] The invention further comprises the use of a vehicle composite windscreen according to the invention as a windscreen of a vehicle, preferably a motor vehicle. In a preferred embodiment, an optical sensor is attached to the interior surface of the inner pane, facing away from the interlayer. This sensor is directed towards the area of ​​the composite windscreen with the wedge angle α induced by the interlayer and is an optical camera, i.e., a camera sensitive in the visible spectral range, for example, a lane-keeping camera or a camera for a Augmented Reality -Head-up display. In another preferred configuration, the sensor is an IR camera.

[0053] The invention is explained in more detail below with reference to a drawing and exemplary embodiments. The drawing is a schematic representation and not to scale. The drawing does not limit the invention in any way.

[0054] They show: Fig. 1 a top view of an embodiment of the vehicle composite disc according to the invention with an insert and sensor area, Fig. 2 a cross-section along the section line AA' in the area Z of the vehicle composite disc Figure 1 , Fig. 3 a contour representation of a thermoplastic intermediate layer with insert, Fig. 4 a diagram of the thickness profile of a composite disc comprising a thermoplastic intermediate layer with insert and Fig. 5 a flow diagram of an embodiment of the method according to the invention.

[0055] Figure 1Figure 1 shows a vehicle composite windscreen 4 according to the invention, which is intended as a windscreen for a passenger car. The composite windscreen consists of an outer pane 1 and an inner pane 2, which are bonded together over their entire surface by means of a thermoplastic interlayer 3. The outer pane 1 and the inner pane 2 are made of soda-lime glass and have, for example, a thickness of 2.1 mm. The thermoplastic interlayer 3 comprises a 0.76 mm thick PVB film as a thermoplastic composite film. In its installed position, the inner pane 2 faces the interior of the vehicle. The outer pane 1 faces the external environment of the vehicle in its installed position. The composite windscreen has a roof edge D and an engine edge M. In its installed position, the roof edge D points upwards towards the vehicle roof, and the engine edge M points downwards towards the engine compartment. The vehicle composite windscreen 4 has a trapezoidal sensor area 9.An insert 8 in the form of an adhesive tape 6 is arranged between the sensor area 9 and the roof edge of the composite pane 4. The insert runs essentially parallel to the roof edge D and to the upper edge of the sensor area 9. The insert is concealed by the opaque cover print 12 and is therefore not visible to the viewer (in . Figure 1 (shown only to illustrate the invention).

[0056] Figure 2 shows a cross-section of the vehicle composite disc of the Figure 1in area Z along the section line AA'. The inner surface II of the outer pane 1 is connected to the inner surface III of the inner pane 2 via the thermoplastic intermediate layer 3. The outer surface I of the outer pane 1 faces the environment, while the outer surface IV of the inner pane 2 faces the vehicle interior. A camera 7 is mounted in a housing on the outer surface IV of the inner pane 2. The camera is, for example, a lane-keeping camera. The detection direction of the camera 7 is directed approximately horizontally forward on the outside of the laminated pane. Radiation passing through the laminated pane 4 in sensor area 9 is detected by the camera 7. The adhesive tape 6 of the insert 8 comprises an adhesive layer 11 in the form of an acrylate adhesive and a polymeric carrier film 10 made of polypropylene. The adhesive tape 6 is fixed to the inner surface II of the outer pane 1 via the adhesive layer 11 and is thus held in position.The insert causes a local increase in the thickness of the composite disk, thereby inducing a wedge angle α between the inside II of the outer disk 1 and the inside III of the inner disk 2 in the sensor area 9 adjacent to the insert 8.

[0057] Figure 3 Figure 1 shows a schematic contour of a vehicle composite windscreen 4 comprising an outer pane 1, an inner pane 2, a thermoplastic intermediate layer 3, and an insert 8 located on the inside of the outer pane 1, extending between the engine edge M and the roof edge D. The schematic representation illustrates the curvature typical of windscreens, as well as the (not to scale) local increase in thickness caused by the insert 8.

[0058] Figure 4Figure 1 shows a diagram of the thickness profile t of a laminated windshield comprising a thermoplastic interlayer with an insert. Suitable methods for measuring the thickness profile of a windshield are known to those skilled in the art. The thickness t in mm was measured vertically from the motor edge M of the laminated windshield to the roof edge D, where the roof edge D is located at d = 850 mm in the diagram. The motor edge M is located at d = 0 mm and is not shown in the diagram. A curve of the measured values ​​is shown as a solid line, while the interpolated and extrapolated lines are shown as dashed lines. At a distance of 750 mm from the motor edge, an insert in the form of an adhesive tape with a thickness of 65 µm was applied to the inner surface II of the outer pane 1 prior to lamination of the laminated windshield. Figure 4The diagram shows the thickness profile of the composite disc after lamination. The resulting local wedge angle α is clearly visible in the diagram. In this case, a wedge angle of α = 1 mrad was achieved using an adhesive tape with a thickness of 65 µm. The effect of the local thickness change caused by the insert is noticeable in a surrounding area of ​​approximately 60 mm. This corresponds to the typical size of sensor areas.

[0059] Figure 5 Figure 1 shows a flowchart of an embodiment of the inventive method for manufacturing a vehicle composite disc comprising the following steps: I. Providing an outer pane 1 with an outer surface I and an inner surface II, II. Applying at least one insert 8 to the inner surface II of the outer pane 1, III. Placing at least one thermoplastic composite film as a thermoplastic intermediate layer 3 onto the insert 8 and the inner surface II of the outer pane 1, IV. Placing an inner pane 2 with an inner surface III and an outer surface IV, wherein the inner surface III is oriented towards the thermoplastic intermediate layer 3, V. Autoclaving the arrangement to form a composite pane 4. Reference symbol list:

[0060] (1) Outer pane (2) Inner pane (3) Thermoplastic interlayer (4) Vehicle composite glass (6) Adhesive tape (7) Sensor / Camera (8) Insert (9) Sensor area (10) Polymer carrier film (11) Adhesive layer (12) Opaque cover print (α) Wedge angle DTop edge / roof edge of the composite pane MBottom edge / engine edge of the composite pane A-A'Cut line Z Cutout dDistance to motor edge tThickness of the composite disc

Claims

1. Vehicle composite pane with a sensor region (9) at least comprising an outer pane (1) with an outer side (I) and an inner side (II), an inner pane (2) with an inner side (III) and an outer side (IV), wherein the inner side (II) of the outer pane (1) and the inner side (III) of the inner pane (2) are joined to one another via a thermoplastic intermediate layer (3), a roof edge (D) and an engine edge (M), wherein at least one insert (8) that lies outside the sensor region (9) and causes a local change in thickness of the thermoplastic intermediate layer (3) within the sensor region (9) is attached between the inner side (II) of the outer pane (1) and the inner side (III) of the inner pane (2) such that the thickness of the thermoplastic intermediate layer (3) is variable with a wedge angle (α) in the vertical course between the roof edge (D) and the engine edge (M) at least in sections within the sensor region (9).

2. Vehicle composite pane according to claim 1, wherein the thickness of the thermoplastic intermediate layer (3) increases between the edge of the sensor region (9) nearest the engine edge (M) and the insert (8) and decreases between the insert (8) and the roof edge (D).

3. Vehicle composite pane according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the wedge angle (α) in the sensor region (9) is 0.3 mrad to 2 mrad, preferably 0.5 mrad to 1.5 mrad, particularly preferably 0.8 mrad to 1.2 mrad.

4. Vehicle composite pane according to one of claims 1 through 3, wherein the at least one insert (8) is substantially strip-shaped and runs between the sensor region (9) and the roof edge (D) of the composite pane substantially parallel or tangential to the sensor region (9) associated with the insert (8).

5. Vehicle composite pane according to one of claims 1 through 4, wherein the distance between the roof edge (D) of the composite pane and the at least one insert (8) is 10 mm to 300 mm, preferably 30 mm to 200 mm, particularly preferably 50 mm to 150 mm.

6. Vehicle composite pane according to one of claims 1 through 5, wherein the at least one insert (8) has a thickness of from 20 µm to 150 µm, preferably from 40 µm to 100 µm, particularly preferably from 50 µm to 80 µm.

7. Vehicle composite pane according to one of claims 1 through 6, wherein the insert (8) comprises glass, polymeric films, and / or an adhesive tape (6), and the at least one insert (8) is attached on the inner side (II) of the outer pane (1), the inner side (III) of the inner pane (2), and / or within the thermoplastic intermediate layer (3).

8. Vehicle composite pane according to claim 7, wherein the insert (8) comprises an adhesive tape (6) that is adhered on the inner side (II) of the outer pane (1) and / or the inner side (III) of the inner pane (2) and comprises a polymeric carrier film (10) and an adhesive layer (11).

9. Vehicle composite pane according to claim 8, wherein the polymeric carrier film (10) contains polypropylene (PP) and / or polyvinyl chloride (PVC) and the adhesive layer (11) comprises an adhesive from the group of acrylate adhesives, hot-melt adhesives, and / or natural rubber adhesives.

10. Vehicle composite pane according to one of claims 1 through 9, wherein the composite pane has an opaque masking print (12) in the region of the insert (8).

11. Vehicle composite pane according to one of claims 1 through 10, wherein an optical sensor (7) that is directed toward the sensor region (9) of the composite pane with the wedge angle (α) is fastened on the outer side (IV) of the inner pane (2).

12. Vehicle composite pane according to one of claims 1 through 11, wherein the thermoplastic intermediate layer (3) comprises at least one first thermoplastic composite film (4) that contains polyvinyl butyral (PVB), ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA), polyurethane (PU), or mixtures or copolymers or derivatives thereof, preferably PVB.

13. Method for producing a vehicle composite pane according to one of claims 1 through 12, wherein (a) an outer pane (1) and an inner pane (2) with a thermoplastic intermediate layer (3) positioned therebetween are arranged flat atop one another, wherein at least one insert (8) is attached on the inner side (III) of the inner pane (2), on the inner side (II) of the outer pane (4), and / or within the thermoplastic intermediate layer (3), and (b) the outer pane (1) is joined by lamination to the inner pane (2) via the thermoplastic intermediate layer (3), wherein a wedge angle α of the thermoplastic intermediate layer (3) is created in a region of the vehicle composite pane adjacent the insert (8).

14. Method according to claim 13, wherein the insert (8) is an adhesive tape (6) that is adhered in step a) on the inner side (II) of the outer pane (1) or the inner side (III) of the inner pane (2).

15. Use of a vehicle composite pane according to one of claims 1 through 12 as a windshield of a vehicle, wherein an optical sensor (7) that is an optical camera and is directed toward the sensor region (9) of the composite pane with the wedge angle (α) is fastened on the outer side (IV) of the inner pane (2).