Laminated glazing and device for vehicle with connected near-infrared view system

Abstract

A laminated glazing (100) for a vehicle has a first ultra-transparent glass sheet (outer glazing), a laminated intermediate layer and a second glass sheet (inner glazing) with a through-hole in both latter.

Description

[0001] This application is a divisional application of the following application: Application date September 18, 2020, application number 202080004296.8, invention name “Laminated window glass and device for vehicles with connected near-infrared observation system”.

[0002] The invention relates to a laminated glazing, in particular a windscreen, in a vehicle, in particular a road vehicle or a train, connected to a viewing system in the near infrared. The invention also describes a device combining said glazing and viewing system.

[0003] Window glass and related technologies for autonomous vehicles are constantly evolving, particularly to improve safety.

[0004] Laser remote sensing or LIDAR (an acronym for "light detection and ranging" or "laser detection and ranging") can be used in autonomous vehicles in place of headlights.

[0005] Recently, patent application WO20180153012 proposed placing a LIDAR operating in the near infrared between 750nm and 1050nm behind a laminated windshield comprising two ultra-clear glass sheets and an infrared filter.

[0006] The performance of this viewing device (window glass connected to LIDAR) can be improved.

[0007] More generally, the invention also relates to a device having a system for observing in the infrared and in visible light (ie multispectral).

[0008] More precisely, the invention relates to a laminated (and / or curved) glazing, in particular a curved glazing, in particular a windscreen, or also a rear window or even a side window, of a given thickness E1, for example sub-centimeter, in particular for a road vehicle windscreen, of at most 5 mm, comprising:

[0009] a first pane of glass, in particular curved, intended as an external glazing, having a first external main face F1 and a second internal main face F2 oriented towards the passenger compartment, and having a thickness of preferably at most 4 mm, even at most 3 mm or 2.5 mm, in particular 2.1 mm, 1.9 mm, 1.8 mm, 1.6 mm and 1.4 mm, and preferably at least 0.7 mm or 1 mm, in the case of a motor vehicle;

[0010] a laminating interlayer (single or multilayer), optionally neutral, transparent, extra-transparent or coloured, in particular grey or green, made of a polymer material, preferably a thermoplastic polymer material, better polyvinyl butyral (PVB), preferably, in the case of road vehicles, having a thickness of at most 1.8 mm, better at most 1.2 mm, even at most 0.9 mm (better at least 0.3 mm, even at least 0.6 mm), the laminating interlayer optionally being acoustic and / or optionally having a cross-section which decreases in a wedge shape from the top to the bottom of a laminated glazing, in particular a windshield, optionally for a Head Up Display (HUD, for “Head Up Display” in English), the laminating interlayer having a main surface Fa facing F2 and a main face Fb opposite to Fa;

[0011] - a second pane of glass used as interior glazing, preferably curved and in particular tinted, having a third main face F3 on the side of F2, a fourth inner main face F4 facing the vehicle compartment, and, in the case of a road vehicle, preferably having a thickness less than that of the first pane, even of at most 3 mm or 2 mm, in particular 1.9 mm, 1.8 mm, 1.6 mm and 1.4 mm, or even of at most 1.3 mm, and preferably at least 0.7 mm, the thickness of the first and second panes of glass preferably being strictly less than 5 or 4 mm, even less than 3.7 mm.

[0012] The first glass sheet comprises, on the face F2, an antireflection coating for at least one "working" wavelength in the infrared in the range from 800 nm to 1800 nm, in particular in the range between 850 nm and 1600 nm, the antireflection coating being preferably local, the antireflection coating having a free surface (not covered by the laminating interlayer and the second glass sheet) through a transverse hole in the thickness of the interlayer and the thickness of the second glass sheet.

[0013] The first glass sheet, in particular a silica-based glass, a soda-lime glass, a soda-lime-silica glass (preferred) or an aluminosilicate or borosilicate glass, has a weight content of total iron oxide (expressed as Fe2O3) of at most 0.05% (500 ppm), preferably at most 0.03% (300 ppm) and at most 0.015% (150 ppm), in particular greater than or equal to 0.005%.

[0014] The second glass sheet, in particular a silica-based glass, a soda-lime glass, preferably a soda-lime silicate glass (like the first glass sheet), or even an aluminosilicate or borosilicate glass, has a total iron oxide weight content (expressed as Fe2O3) of at least 0.4%, preferably at most 1.5%.

[0015] Therefore, according to the present invention, in order to achieve a high transmission level, it is selected that:

[0016] 1) Outer glass that is ultra-transparent in the targeted near-infrared light,

[0017] 2) The inner glass is more absorptive in the target near-infrared light and must be hollowed out,

[0018] 3) A laminated intermediate layer which is hollowed out to enable the use of an anti-reflection coating in the targeted near infrared light on surface F2.

[0019] This solution is more efficient than existing technologies based on two complete panes of extra-clear glass.

[0020] Additionally, by avoiding the use of a second extra-clear glass, it improves comfort (heat in the vehicle) and aesthetics, and is more economical.

[0021] The invention is very particularly suitable for window glass (windshields, rear windows, etc.) of autonomous or semi-autonomous driving cars of L2+, L3, L4 and L5 (fully autonomous) levels, as well as cars of the type such as robotaxis and shuttle buses.

[0022] Iron oxide is present as an impurity in most natural raw materials used in glassmaking (sand, feldspar, limestone, dolomite, etc.), which absorbs in both the visible and near-ultraviolet regions (due to the presence of ferric ions Fe 3+ absorption), especially in the visible and near-infrared regions (due to Fe 2+ Absorption of ferrous ions), which is why the iron oxide in the first glass sheet is reduced.

[0023] Therefore, in the second glass sheet, a higher iron oxide content may be selected.

[0024] Advantageously, the first glass sheet and the anti-reflective coating have:

[0025] a total transmission at an operating wavelength, in particular at an operating wavelength of 905±5 nm and / or 1550±5 nm, measured at the normal (90°) or even at 60° or even up to 60° relative to a (partial) plane of the first sheet (for example on the side of face F2 and / or on the side of face F1) of at least 90.0%, 91.0% or even 92.0% or 92.3%,

[0026] - and / or the antireflection coating increases the total transmission of the first glass pane at the operating wavelength by at least 1%, 2% or 2.5% or even 3.0%, the total transmission being measured at the normal (90°) or even at a (local) plane of the first pane, preferably at 60° and even up to 60° (for example on the side of the face F2 and / or on the side of the face F1).

[0027] The angle of a window glass, especially a road vehicle windscreen, may typically be between 21° and 36° with respect to the ground, and on average is 30°. Therefore, a high transmittance at 60° is particularly advantageous, since this is the angle of incidence of the LIDAR beam on the windscreen if the latter is at 30° to the ground.

[0028] The transmittance in the infrared is measured, for example, by means of a Fourier spectrometer (eg Bruker Vertex-70).

[0029] Naturally, if a multi-spectral observation system is used, it may also be desirable that the first glass sheet and the anti-reflection coating have:

[0030] - a total transmission in the visible region, in particular at another operating wavelength between 500 nm and 600 nm, of at least 90%, 91% or even 92%, measured normal to or even preferably from 90° to 60° relative to the plane of the first pane (for example on the side of the face F2 and / or on the side of the face F1),

[0031] - and / or the antireflection coating increases the total transmission of the first glass sheet at the second operating wavelength by at least 1%, 2% or 2.5% or even 3%, the total transmission being measured normal or even preferably from 90° to a maximum of 60° relative to the plane of the first sheet (for example on the side of the face F2 and / or on the side of the face F1).

[0032] In order to quantify the transmittance of glass in the visible light region, a light transmission factor is usually defined, called transmittance, usually abbreviated as "T L ”, according to the ISO 9050:2003 standard, it is calculated between 380-780 nm and converted to a glass thickness of 3.2 mm or 4 mm, therefore by taking into account the illuminant D65 as defined by the standard ISO / CIE 10526 and the CIE 1931 standard colorimetric observer as defined by the standard ISO / CIE 10527.

[0033] Naturally, the light transmittance T of the laminated glazing in the area without holes (the central area of ​​the windshield) is L Preferably at least 70% or 75%, 80% or 85%, 88%.

[0034] The second glass sheet is in particular green, blue or grey. The second glass sheet can be green due to Fe2O3, blue using CoO and Se, or grey using Se and CoO.

[0035] Mention may be made in particular of glasses of the following designations from the applicant company: TSA nx (0.5% to 0.6% iron), TSA 2+, TSA 3+ (0.8% to 0.9% iron), TSA 4+ (1% iron) or TSA 5+, for example green.

[0036] For example, TSA3+ (2.1 mm) has a total transmittance of about 40% at 905 nm and a total transmittance of about 50% at 1550 nm.

[0037] The second glass sheet may have a redox value, defined as the ratio of the weight content of FeO (ferrous iron) to the weight content of total iron oxide (expressed as Fe2O3), between 0.22 and 0.35 or 0.30.

[0038] The second glass sheet may have a chemical composition comprising the following components whose contents vary within the weight limits defined below:

[0039]

[0040] and especially less than 0.1% impurities.

[0041] Therefore, the through hole consists of:

[0042] - A first through hole in the laminated interlayer (single or multiple layers) having a width D1

[0043] A second through-going hole in the second glass sheet having a width D2.

[0044] The first and second holes have the same or a close axis of symmetry and preferably have the same width (before and after lamination).

[0045] The through holes (first and second holes) can be:

[0046] - a closed hole (surrounded by the wall of the second glass sheet), thus inside the window pane, in particular spaced at least 3 cm or 5 cm from the nearest edge face of the window pane

[0047] - An open or open through hole forming a gap (periphery).

[0048] The through-hole is preferably in the peripheral region of the laminated glazing, preferably in the upper longitudinal edge and / or in the peripheral central region, and the antireflection coating is local and in this peripheral region.

[0049] The through-hole has a given shape, in particular a convex cross-section, such as a trapezoid or a rectangle or a circle or an ellipse. The anti-reflection coating may have a similar shape.

[0050] If necessary, it is possible to envisage a plurality of through-going holes (2, 3 holes) of the same shape and / or size in the intermediate layer and the second glass sheet, for example side by side, in particular in the peripheral region. The face F2 then comprises a common antireflection coating with a free surface in all holes, or a separate local antireflection (AR) coating for each hole, and for example a local AR coating with different thicknesses.

[0051] The shape and size of the through-holes are configured according to the state of the art in order to effectively and selectively collect all radiation passing through the window glass (windshield, rear window, etc.), particularly in the case of LIDAR, which is generated by the solid angle range outside the vehicle and originates from the area in front of the vehicle that it is desired to capture by the LIDAR.

[0052] For example, the shape of the hole is the same as that of an infrared observation system (eg, LIDAR).

[0053] The holes (open or closed) can in particular have a convex cross section, particularly preferably a trapezoidal cross section, or a circular or oval or elliptical or even a rectangular, square or the like cross section.

[0054] If the hole is a notch, part of the notch will be covered by the window glass frame and therefore ineffective for the viewing system. The same is true if the hole is closed and too close to the edge.

[0055] If the hole is closed, the edge of the hole closest to the edge face of the window glass (preferably and in particular the upper longitudinal edge in the central area) is preferably at least 2 cm or 3 cm, preferably 5 cm away from this edge face of the window glass (of the second sheet).

[0056] The hole can be located in the central area of ​​the upper longitudinal edge of the windshield, in the usual area of ​​the interior rear-view mirror (adjacent to the hole or eliminating the rear-view mirror, depending on the vehicle), in an area where the masking layer on surfaces F2 and / or Fa is usually thicker than in the side areas along the upper edge of the vehicle window pane (passenger, driver, etc.).

[0057] Preferably, the hole has a cross-section, in particular of trapezoidal or disk or elliptical type, with a smaller dimension of at least 5 cm (e.g. a size suitable for an infrared viewing system) and preferably with a larger dimension (in particular a large side or diameter) of at most 40 cm, 30 cm, 25 cm or 20 cm (for mechanical aspects);

[0058] - And preferably, the antireflective coating occupies the surface comprising the hole and has a length of at most 40 cm or 30 cm.

[0059] In particular, the cross section is quadrilateral, especially rectangular or trapezoidal, having:

[0060] - a first "upper" (large) side or longitudinal edge (the edge face closest to the upper longitudinal edge of the window pane), preferably parallel to the edge face of the upper longitudinal edge of the window pane, and preferably at most 30 cm, 20 cm or 15 cm or 12 cm long, and in particular at least 5 cm or 6 cm from the edge face (of the upper longitudinal edge of the window pane)

[0061] - a second "lower" (large) side or longitudinal edge (furthest from the edge face of the upper longitudinal edge of the window pane, closer to the central area), which is preferably parallel to the edge face of the upper longitudinal edge of the window pane and whose length is preferably at most 35 cm or 30 cm or 25 cm or 20 cm, and is preferably greater than the length of the first large side

[0062] - Preferably a height of at least 5 cm, even at most 15 cm (between the first and second large side).

[0063] Alternatively, the through-hole vehicle window glass side edge.

[0064] In the case of a rear window, the through-opening may be at the periphery, the longitudinal edge of the vehicle window pane (especially the upper part) or at the side edge.

[0065] Naturally, a through hole is an empty space, or at least not filled (in its central part) by any material (between the anti-reflection coating and the infrared viewing system) that is absorbent in the target near-infrared light.

[0066] However, it is possible to provide a ring-type insert (closed, open) (integral or consisting of a plurality of unconnected or connected sheets, etc.), which in particular has a width of at most 1.5 cm, for example made of a flexible polymer material (polycarbonate, polyamide, polyolefin, polypropylene, etc.):

[0067] - mounted (particularly by gluing or by force) on a wall of the second glass sheet which defines (at the top) the hole

[0068] - Even also in contact with the walls of the laminating interlayer even on face F2.

[0069] The insert may extend beyond the hole, in particular on face F4.

[0070] This plugin can be used to:

[0071] - Place all or part of the infrared viewing system or intermediate optics between the anti-reflection coating and the infrared viewing system into the hole

[0072] - Place all or part of the device for fixing the infrared observation system into the hole.

[0073] If the holes in the intermediate layer are made before lamination and the insert is placed in place of the intermediate layer before lamination (particularly at up to 150° C. and particularly under pressure), the insert can be used to prevent or reduce creep of the intermediate layer on the free surface of the antireflective coating.

[0074] In particular, the local antireflection coating may preferably extend over at most 100 mm, 50 mm, 30 mm or 20 mm or 10 mm between the face F2 and the face Fa.

[0075] The antireflective coating may comprise a stack of alternating thin dielectric layers of high and low refractive index (at the operating wavelength) (eg, metal or oxides and / or nitrides of silicon).

[0076] The antireflection coating preferably comprises a (functional) porous silicon dioxide layer, preferably a sol-gel layer.

[0077] In a first embodiment, the pores are interstices of non-closely packed nanobeads, in particular silica layers, such as are described in document US20040258929.

[0078] In a second embodiment, the porous layer is obtained by deposition of a silica sol condensed (silicon dioxide oligomers) and densified via NH3 type vapors, this layer being described, for example, in document WO2005049757.

[0079] In a third embodiment, the porous layer may also be of the sol-gel type, as described, for example, in document EP 1 329 433. The porous layer may also be obtained with other known pore formers: micelles of cationic surface-active molecules in solution and optionally in hydrolyzed form, or micelles of anionic or nonionic surface-active molecules or amphiphilic molecules, such as block copolymers.

[0080] In a fourth embodiment, the porous layer may also be of the sol-gel type, as described, for example, in document WO 2008 / 059170. The porous layer may thus be obtained with pore formers which are preferably polymer beads.

[0081] In particular, the antireflection coating of porous silica according to the invention may have a thickness advantageously ranging from 10 nm to 10 μm (these limits included), in particular from 50 nm to 1 μm, more preferably from 70 to 500 nm.

[0082] The porous silica layer may have closed pores of at least 20 nm, 50 nm or 80 nm; optionally, the functional layer may comprise pores, the concentration of which increases in the direction of the free surface.

[0083] The pores may have an elongated shape, in particular a rice grain shape. More preferably, the pores may have a substantially spherical or ellipsoidal shape. Preferably, the majority of the closed pores, even at least 80% of them, have substantially the same given shape, in particular an elongated, substantially spherical or ellipsoidal shape.

[0084] The porous silica may be doped, for example to improve its hydrolytic stability even more in the case of applications requiring excellent resistance (facades, outdoor, etc.). The doping element may preferably be selected from Al, Zr, B, Sn or Zn. The dopant is introduced to replace Si atoms in a molar percentage that may preferably reach 10%, more preferably up to 5%.

[0085] The antireflection coating may comprise a chemical protective primer, in particular having a thickness of, for example, up to 200 nm, in particular a dense silicon dioxide layer, in particular by a sol-gel process, which is covered by a sol-gel porous silicon dioxide functional layer.

[0086] The bottom layer may be based on silicon dioxide or an at least partially oxidized derivative of silicon selected from silicon dioxide, substoichiometric silicon oxide or silicon oxycarbide, oxynitride or oxycarbonitride.

[0087] This underlayer has been shown to be useful when the underlying surface is made of soda-lime-silica glass, since it acts as an alkali barrier.

[0088] Thus, the bottom layer advantageously comprises Si, O, optionally carbon and nitrogen. However, it may also comprise small amounts of materials relative to silicon, for example metals such as Al, Zn or Zr. The bottom layer can be deposited by a sol-gel process or by pyrolysis, in particular by gas phase pyrolysis (CVD). The latter technique makes it possible to obtain very easily a layer consisting of SiO x C y The bottom layer preferably has a thickness of at least 5 nm, in particular between 10 nm and 200 nm, for example between 80 nm and 120 nm.

[0089] The antireflective coating may also include a covering layer if the covering layer does not adversely affect the antireflective properties.

[0090] An antireflection coating may also be placed on the face F1 opposite the face F2 .

[0091] The anti-reflective coating may have the same shape as the cross-section of the aperture, such as a trapezoid or a rectangle, etc.

[0092] Although less preferred a priori, the antireflection coating may be only in the central area facing the through-hole. It does not extend beyond the through-hole and is even spaced preferably at most 1 cm from the edge of the through-hole. For example, the free surface in the through-hole has a length and / or side of at least 5 cm, 10 cm, 15 cm, preferably at most 30 cm.

[0093] The window glass may include an opaque masking layer, in particular enamel (black, etc.), between faces F2 and Fa, on face F2 and / or on face Fa (in particular ink, in particular black ink, etc.) along the edge of the through hole between faces F2 and Fa, in particular in the peripheral area or even in the peripheral central area, preferably the longitudinal edge of the vehicle window glass, the antireflective coating (in particular a porous silica layer or an optional dense silica bottom layer) being in contact with the opaque masking layer.

[0094] The masking layer is on, for example, face F2 and the antireflection coating is on or below the masking layer and / or the masking layer is on face Fa and the antireflection coating is in contact with the masking layer.

[0095] The masking layer has a gap aligned with the through hole (at least in the central area) and preferably exceeds at most 30mm or 20mm or 10mm or 5mm in the through hole, and / or leaves the anti-reflective coating with a free surface in the hole, the free surface (not covered with the masking layer) having a length of at least 5cm, 10cm, 15cm, and preferably at most 30cm.

[0096] The masking layer will mask the infrared observation system and, for example, its housing.

[0097] The masking layer may be a layer printed on a laminating interlayer, for example on PVB.

[0098] The antireflection coating (especially the porous silica layer or the optional dense silica bottom layer) may also be separated from the masking layer (for example on the F2 side, especially the enamel) or at least not cover it.

[0099] The opaque masking layer is preferably a continuous layer (either with a solid edge or a flat tone as a gradient edge (set of patterns)).

[0100] The masking layer may be 2 mm or 3 mm (less than 5 mm) from the (closest) edge face of the window glass.

[0101] The masking layer may be a strip, in particular made of black enamel, surrounding the window glass (windscreen, etc.). Gaps are thus created in the masking layer.

[0102] Another masking layer (enamel, in particular black enamel, etc.) may be on face F3 or F4, in particular facing the masking layer (even of the same kind, for example enamel, in particular black enamel).

[0103] The glazing may comprise, on the side of face Fb, wires, in particular heating wires, in particular anchored on face Fb and preferably not in said holes.

[0104] It may be desirable to avoid having the heating wire facing the hole.

[0105] The heating wire has in particular a thickness less than or equal to 0.1 mm and is preferably copper, tungsten, gold, silver or aluminum or an alloy of at least two of these metals.

[0106] In one embodiment, the heating zone of the window pane comprises a plurality of individual wires, called "heating wires", which are connected to a "busbar" ("omnibus" strip). A heating current is passed through these individual wires. The wires are advantageously very thin so as not to impair, or only very slightly, the transparency of the window pane. Preferably, the thickness of the wires is less than or equal to 0.1 mm, in particular between 0.02 and 0.04 mm, and ideally between 0.024 mm and 0.029 mm. The wires preferably comprise copper, tungsten, gold, silver or aluminium or an alloy of at least two of these metals. The alloy may also comprise molybdenum, rhenium, osmium, iridium, palladium or platinum.

[0107] The metal wire is preferably electrically insulating.

[0108] As for the glass of the first glass sheet and / or the second glass sheet, it is preferably a soda-lime-silica type glass.

[0109] The inner and / or outer glass may have been subjected to a chemical or thermal treatment of the hardening or annealing type or may have been hardened (particularly for better mechanical strength) or may have been semi-hardened.

[0110] The glass of the first glass sheet and / or the second glass sheet is preferably of the float glass type, that is to say obtainable by a process of pouring molten glass into a bath of molten tin ("floating" bath). The "atmospheric" side and the "tin" side are understood to mean the side in contact with the atmosphere prevailing in the float bath and the side in contact with the molten tin, respectively. The tin side comprises small amounts of surface tin which have diffused into the structure of the glass.

[0111] The face F2 with the antireflection coating may likewise be a “tin” face or an “atmosphere” face.

[0112] The first glass sheet can be, for example, soda-lime-silica glass, such as that available from Saint-Gobain Glass Company. Glass, from Pilkington Or from Schott or from AGC or other compositions described in document WO04 / 025334. Glass.

[0113] For common natural raw materials, the total weight content of iron oxide is about 0.1% (1000 ppm). In order to reduce the content of iron oxide, particularly pure starting materials can be selected.

[0114] In the present invention, the Fe2O3 (total iron) content of the first glass sheet is preferably less than 0.015%, even less than or equal to 0.012%, especially 0.010%, in order to increase the near infrared transmittance of the glass. The Fe2O3 content is preferably greater than or equal to 0.005%, especially 0.008%, in order not to excessively damage the cost of the glass.

[0115] In order to further increase the transmittance of the first glass sheet in the infrared, the ferrous content can be reduced in favor of the ferric content, thus oxidizing the iron present in the glass. The goal is therefore a glass with a "redox value" that is as low as possible, ideally zero or almost zero. This number can vary between 0 and 0.9, with a zero redox value corresponding to a completely oxidized glass.

[0116] Glasses containing small amounts of iron oxide, particularly less than 200 ppm, or even less than 150 ppm, have a natural tendency to exhibit high redox values ​​greater than 0.4, or even greater than 0.5. This tendency may be due to the fact that the oxidation / reduction equilibrium of iron varies as a function of the iron oxide content.

[0117] The redox value of the first glass sheet is preferably greater than or equal to 0.15 and in particular between 0.2 and 0.30, in particular between 0.25 and 0.30. In fact, too low a redox value can reduce the life of the furnace.

[0118] In the glasses according to the invention (first and second sheets), the silicon dioxide SiO2 is generally kept within a narrow range for the following reasons. Above 75%, the viscosity of the glass and its devitrification ability increase sharply, which makes it more difficult to melt and pour it on a molten tin bath. Below 60%, in particular below 64%, the hydrolysis resistance of the glass decreases rapidly. The preferred content is between 65% and 75%, in particular between 71% and 73%.

[0119] The first glass sheet may have a chemical composition comprising the following components in contents within the weight range defined below:

[0120]

[0121] Throughout the text, the percentages stated are by weight.

[0122] The glass sheet is preferably formed by floating on a tin bath. Other types of forming processes may be employed, such as a drawing process, a "down-draw" process (by a bottom draw process), a rolling process, a Fourcault process, and the like.

[0123] The glass composition of the first glass sheet may contain, in addition to the unavoidable impurities contained in particular in the raw materials, small proportions (up to 1%) of other components, such as reagents that assist in glass melting or refining (Cl, etc.), or elements that originate from the dissolution of refractory materials used in the construction of the furnace (e.g. ZrO2). For the reasons already mentioned, the composition according to the invention preferably does not contain oxides such as Sb2O3, As2O3 or CeO2.

[0124] The composition of the first glass sheet preferably does not contain any agent that absorbs infrared radiation, in particular for wavelengths between 800 and 1800 nm. In particular, the composition according to the invention preferably does not contain any of the following agents: oxides of transition elements, such as CoO, CuO, Cr2O3, NiO, MnO2 or V2O5; oxides of rare earth metals, such as CeO2, La2O3, Nd2O3 or Er2O3, or colorants in the elemental state, such as Se, Ag or Cu. Among other agents that are preferably excluded are also oxides of the following elements: Sc, Y, Pr, Sm, Eu, Gd, Tb, Dy, Ho, Tm, Yb or Lu. These agents generally have an undesirably strong coloring effect, which is manifested at very low contents, sometimes in the order of a few ppm or less (1 ppm=0.0001%). As a result, their presence greatly reduces the transmittance of the glass.

[0125] Preferably, the first glass sheet has a chemical composition comprising the following components in contents within the weight ranges defined below:

[0126]

[0127] The first glass sheet may have a chemical composition comprising the following components in amounts within the weight ranges defined below:

[0128]

[0129] In the present invention, the Fe2O3 (total iron) content is preferably less than 0.015%, even less than or equal to 0.012%, especially 0.010%, in order to increase the near infrared transmittance of the glass. The Fe2O3 content is preferably greater than or equal to 0.005%, especially 0.008% in order not to excessively damage the cost of the glass.

[0130] The redox value is preferably greater than or equal to 0.15 and in particular between 0.2 and 0.30, in particular between 0.25 and 0.30. In fact, too low a redox value can reduce the life of the furnace.

[0131] In the glasses according to the invention, the silicon dioxide SiO2 is generally kept within a narrow range for the following reasons. Above 75%, the viscosity of the glass and its devitrification capacity increase sharply, which makes it more difficult to melt it and pour it on a molten tin bath. Below 60%, especially 64%, the hydrolysis resistance of the glass decreases rapidly. Preferred contents are 65% to 75%, in particular 71% to 73%.

[0132] Other preferred compositions according to the present invention are reproduced below:

[0133]

[0134] Other preferred compositions according to the invention are reproduced below:

[0135]

[0136] Without departing from the scope of the invention, the intermediate layer may of course comprise a plurality of sheets made of thermoplastic materials of different kinds, for example of different hardness, to provide an acoustic function, as described, for example, in publication US 6132882, in particular a set of PVB sheets of different hardness. Likewise, one of the glass sheets may be thinned relative to the thickness conventionally used.

[0137] According to the invention, the intermediate layer can present a wedge shape, in particular for the purpose of HUD (Head Up Display) applications. Furthermore, one of the sheets of the intermediate layer can be colored overall.

[0138] As common laminating interlayers, in addition to PVB, flexible polyurethane PU, thermoplastics without plasticizers, such as ethylene / vinyl acetate (EVA) copolymers, ionomer resins can also be mentioned. The thickness of these plastics is, for example, 0.2 mm to 1.1 mm, especially 0.3 mm to 0.7 mm.

[0139] The laminating interlayer may comprise another functional plastic film (transparent, clear or coloured), for example a film made of poly(ethylene terephthalate) PET with a conductive thermal insulation layer, etc. For example, between faces F2 and F3 there is PVB / functional film / PVB.

[0140] The thickness of the transparent plastic film can be between 10 and 100 μm. The transparent plastic film can more generally be made of polyamide, polyester, polyolefin (PE: polyethylene, PP: polypropylene), polystyrene, polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) or polycarbonate (PC). Transparent films are preferred, especially PET.

[0141] For example, a coated transparent PET film, such as XIR from Eastman, a coextruded PET-PMMA film, such as SRF Many other films can also be used (e.g. made of PC, PE, PEN, PMMA, PVC) which are as visually transparent as possible in terms of surface and consistency and do not change in the autoclave.

[0142] In order to limit heating in the passenger compartment or to limit the use of air conditioning, at least one of the glass sheets, preferably the outer glass, is tinted and the laminated glazing may also comprise a layer that reflects or absorbs solar radiation, preferably on face F4 or on faces F2 or F3, in particular a transparent conductive oxide layer, known as a TCO layer (on face F4) or even a thin-film multilayer comprising at least one TCO layer, or a thin-film multilayer comprising at least one silver layer (on F2 or F3), the or each silver layer being situated between dielectric layers.

[0143] It is possible to build up a (silver-containing) layer on faces F2 and / or F3 and a TCO layer on face F4.

[0144] The TCO layer (transparent conductive oxide layer) is preferably a fluorine-doped tin oxide (SnO 2 :F) layer or a mixed indium tin oxide (ITO) layer.

[0145] Naturally, the most desired application is the use of the window glass as windshield for road vehicles (cars) or even for (medium speed) rail vehicles.

[0146] The glazing may thus comprise, on face F2, a thermally insulating, in particular electrically conductive, optionally heating functional layer, in particular a multilayer comprising silver, which is not present in said through-holes (at least in the central region) and is present along the edges of the through-holes between surfaces F2 and Fa, an antireflective coating optionally in contact with the functional layer, in particular above or below the thermally insulating functional layer.

[0147] The present invention also relates to a device comprising:

[0148] - Window glass as above

[0149] - an infrared observation system at said operating wavelength, or even a multispectral observation system in the visible region, in particular in the visible region between 500 nm and 600 nm, arranged in the passenger compartment behind said window pane so as to send and / or receive radiation at the location of said through-hole after passing through the first pane of glass.

[0150] Certain advantageous but non-limiting embodiments of the invention are described below, which can of course be combined with one another if necessary.

[0151] Figure 1 A windshield 100 with an infrared observation system such as LIDAR in a first embodiment of the present invention is schematically shown in cross section.

[0152] Figure 2 Schematically shown in front view (on the passenger compartment side) Figure 1 100 windshield.

[0153] Figure 3 A windshield 200 according to the invention is schematically shown in cross section with a second embodiment of the invention having an infrared observation system, such as a LIDAR.

[0154] Figure 4 Schematically shown in front view (on the passenger compartment side) Figure 3 Windshield 200.

[0155] Figure 1 A windshield 100 according to the invention is schematically shown in cross section, with an infrared observation system (such as LIDAR) at 905 nm or 1550 nm. It can also be a multispectral system, operating in the visible region and up to 1800 nm.

[0156] The observation system 7 is placed behind the windshield, facing an area preferably located in the center and upper part of the windshield. In this area, the infrared observation system 7 is oriented at a certain angle facing the windshield surface (plane F2). In particular, the LIDAR can be oriented directly towards the image capture area in a direction close to parallel to the ground with the vehicle window glass, that is to say slightly inclined towards the road. In other words, the LIDAR 7 can be oriented at a low angle with the vehicle window glass towards the road, and its field of view is suitable for realizing its function.

[0157] The windshield is a conventional laminated window glass consisting of:

[0158] - an outer glass sheet 1 having an outer face F1 and an inner face F2

[0159] - and an inner glass pane 1 ', for example with a thickness of even 1.6 mm or less, having an outer face F3 and an inner face F4 on the passenger compartment side

[0160] - The two glass sheets are connected to each other by an interlayer 3 made of a thermoplastic material, generally made of polyvinyl butyral (PVB), which is preferably transparent, has a sub-nanometer thickness, optionally with a cross-section that decreases in shape in a wedge shape from the top to the bottom of the laminated glazing, for example PVB with a thickness of about 0.76 mm (RC41 from Solutia or Eastman), or, as a variant, optionally acoustic PVB (triple or quadruple), for example with a thickness of about 0.81 mm, for example an interlayer made of three PVB sheets.

[0161] In a conventional and known manner, a windscreen is obtained by thermally laminating the elements 1, 2 and 3. A 0.76 mm transparent PVB is chosen.

[0162] The first glass sheet comprises, on the face F2, an antireflection coating 2 having a free surface (not covered by the laminating interlayer and the second glass sheet) at at least one "working" wavelength in the infrared between 800 nm and 1800 nm, in particular between 850 nm and 1600 nm, through a through hole 4 in the thickness of the interlayer and of the second glass sheet (this hole is therefore delimited by the walls 40 and 40 ′).

[0163] The first glass sheet 1, in particular a glass based on silicon dioxide, soda-lime glass, soda-lime-silica glass (preferred), aluminosilicate glass or borosilicate glass, has a weight content of total iron oxide (expressed as Fe2O3) of at most 0.05% (500 ppm), preferably at most 0.03% (300 ppm) and at most 0.015% (150 ppm), in particular greater than or equal to 0.005%. The first glass sheet may have a redox value greater than or equal to 0.15, in particular between 0.2 and 0.30, in particular between 0.25 and 0.30.

[0164] In particular, 1.95 mm Optiwhite glass was selected.

[0165] The second glass sheet 1 ', in particular a glass based on silicon dioxide, a soda-lime glass, preferably a soda-lime-silica glass (and like the first glass sheet), or even an aluminosilicate glass or a borosilicate glass, has a total iron oxide weight content of at least 0.4%, preferably at most 1.5%. The second glass sheet may have a redox value of 0.22 to 0.35 or 0.30.

[0166] Mention may be made in particular of glasses from the applicant company with the names TSA nx (0.5 to 0.6% iron), TSA 2+, TSA 3+ (0.8 to 0.9% iron), TSA 4+ (1% iron) or TSA 5+, for example green glasses. For example, a 1.6 mm TSA 3+ glass is selected.

[0167] Using 1.95mm Optiwhite glass and 110nm anti-reflection coating, the following total transmission is obtained on the F2 side:

[0168] - At 90°, 92.5% at 905nm, 92.0% at 1550nm

[0169] - At 60°, 91.7% at 905nm and 91.5% at 1550nm.

[0170] According to the invention, the windshield thus comprises, in the peripheral central region of the upper longitudinal edge of the vehicle glazing, a through hole 4 in the thickness of the laminating interlayer 3 and the second glass sheet 1 ′, which through hole is thus defined by their respective side walls 40 ′ and 40 .

[0171] like Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, the hole is here a closed hole (surrounded by the wall of the glass sheet), so in the window glass - especially of trapezoidal cross-section - it comprises:

[0172] - a first "upper" large side or longitudinal edge of the edge face closest to the upper longitudinal edge of the window pane 10 - parallel to this edge face, having a length of at most 20 cm, for example 10.6 cm, and spaced at least 5 cm or 6 cm (large face) from the edge face

[0173] - a second "lower" large side edge or longitudinal edge parallel to the first large side edge (farthest from the edge face of the upper longitudinal edge 10, close to the center area), having a length of at most 25 cm or 20 cm, preferably greater than the length of the first large side edge, for example 17.5 cm - a height (between the said large side edges) of at least 5 cm, here 10 cm.

[0174] The infrared observation system 7 faces the through hole 4 .

[0175] The through-hole 4 can alternatively be a recess, and is therefore preferably a through-hole which is open on one side of the vehicle roof.

[0176] The through-opening 4 may be in another region of the windshield 100 or even in another window pane of the vehicle, in particular in the rear window pane.

[0177] The antireflection coating 2 is also partial. Here, it is rectangular in this peripheral region and its edge 20 extends beyond the wall delimiting the hole 4 between the face 12 and the face Fa by at most 10 mm.

[0178] The windshield 100 comprises, on the face F212, an opaque masking layer, for example a black masking layer 5, for example an enamel layer or a paint, which forms the peripheral frame of the windshield (or rear window) and in the peripheral area (with through holes), it comprises a gap 51 ', which is large enough not to hinder the performance of the LIDAR 7, but is able to conceal the housing 8 (plastic, metal, etc.) of the LIDAR 7. The housing 8 may be bonded to the surface F4 and the roof 9 by means of an adhesive 6.

[0179] Here, the antireflection coating is on face F2 and slightly covers the masking layer.

[0180] The windshield 100 may include a set of barely visible metal wires 5 , for example 50 μm, arranged in a straight or non-straight manner on the face Fb (over the entire surface) on the side of the face F3 of the laminating interlayer 3 . These wires are not present in the through holes 4 .

[0181] Figure 3 A cross section of a windshield 200 having an infrared observation system such as LIDAR in a second embodiment of the present invention is schematically shown in cross section.

[0182] Figure 4 Schematically shown in front view (passenger compartment side) Figure 3 Windshield 200.

[0183] Only the differences from the first embodiment will be described below.

[0184] This time, the antireflection coating 2 on the face F2 is below the masking layer. The antireflection coating 2 has a shape similar to that of the cross section of the hole, and therefore has a trapezoidal shape here in this peripheral region (in Figure 4 The circumference of the hole 4 is shown in dashed lines because it is not visible) and its edge 20 protrudes by 10 mm relative to the wall delimiting the hole 4 between the face 12 and the face Fa.

[0185] A ring-type insert 90 with a width of at most 1.5 cm is accommodated in the through-hole, for example an insert made of a flexible polymer (polycarbonate, etc.) material, which is mounted (particularly glued or by force) on the wall 40 of the second glass sheet (at the top) delimiting the hole and is also in contact with the wall 40 'of the laminated interlayer and touches the antireflection coating.

[0186] This insert 90 can be used as mechanical reinforcement and / or for fixing the laser radar. It can also be used in the first embodiment.

[0187] The insert may extend beyond the hole, in particular on face F4.

[0188] In conjunction with the embodiments described, possible variations are as follows (not exhaustive), which can be optionally combined:

[0189] - the antireflection coating does not extend beyond the through-hole and is even spaced apart from the edge of the through-hole, preferably by at most 1 cm;

[0190] - the antireflection coating is spaced apart from the masking layer (for example on the F2 side, in particular the enamel layer) or at least does not cover it;

[0191] - the antireflection coating comprises a chemical protective primer, in particular a dense silica layer, in particular obtained by a sol-gel process, on top of which is a sol-gel porous silica functional layer - the face F2 comprises a thermally insulating functional layer below or above the enamel, the antireflection coating optionally being in contact with the functional layer, in particular above or below the thermally insulating functional layer.

Claims

1. A vehicle window glass having a given thickness, comprising: a first glass sheet ( 1 ), intended to be an external glazing, having a first external main face F1 ( 11 ) and a second internal main face F2 ( 12 ) facing the passenger compartment, - a laminated intermediate layer (3) made of a polymer material, having a main face Fa facing F2, and having a main face Fb opposite to Fa a second glazing ( 1 ′), intended to be an interior glazing, having a third main face F3 ( 13 ) on the side of F2 , and a fourth internal main face F4 ( 14 ) facing the passenger compartment, Features include: The first glass sheet comprises, on the face F2, an antireflection coating (2) of at least one operating wavelength in the infrared in the range 800 nm-1800 nm, the antireflection coating (2) being local, beyond the through-hole (4), between the face F2 and the face Fa, and having a free surface (20) by virtue of the through-hole (4) in the thickness of the laminating interlayer and in the thickness of the second glass sheet, The first glass sheet has a total iron oxide content by weight of at most 0.05%, The second glass sheet has a total iron oxide content of at least 0.4% by weight, and The window glass comprises, between the faces F2 and Fa, an opaque masking layer (5) on the face F2 and / or on the face Fa (31), which masking layer is present along the edge of the through hole between the faces F2 and Fa, the anti-reflective coating being in contact with the opaque masking layer, the opaque masking layer having a gap (51') aligned with the through hole, leaving a free surface of the anti-reflective coating (2).

2. The vehicle window glass according to claim 1, wherein: The assembly of the first glass sheet (1) and the antireflection coating (2) has a total transmission of at least 90.0% at the operating wavelength, the total transmission being measured at 90°.

3. The vehicle window glass according to any one of claims 1 to 2, characterized in that: The through-hole (4) is in the peripheral region and the anti-reflection coating is localized in the peripheral region.

4. The vehicle window glass according to any one of claims 1 to 2, characterized in that: The through-holes (4) have a cross-section with a smaller dimension of at least 5 cm and a larger dimension of at most 30 cm.

5. The vehicle window glass according to any one of claims 1 to 2, characterized in that: The through hole (4) is closed and is spaced at least 2 cm from the nearest edge of the window glass.

6. The vehicle window glass according to any one of claims 1 to 2, characterized in that: An insert (90) is mounted on the through hole, at least on a wall (40) of the second glass sheet that defines a portion of the through hole.

7. The vehicle window glass according to any one of claims 1 to 2, characterized in that: The antireflective coating includes a porous silicon dioxide layer.

8. The vehicle window glass according to any one of claims 1 to 2, characterized in that: The antireflection coating comprises a chemical protective primer layer covered with a porous silicon dioxide functional layer.

9. The vehicle window glass according to any one of claims 1 to 2, characterized in that: The masking layer (5) is on the face F2, and the antireflection coating (2) is above the masking layer or below the masking layer and / or the masking layer is on the face Fa, and the antireflection coating is in contact with the masking layer.

10. The vehicle window glass according to any one of claims 1 to 2, characterized in that: It comprises a metal wire on the side of the face Fb.

11. The vehicle window glass according to any one of claims 1 to 2, characterized in that: It comprises a thermally insulating functional layer on the surface F2 , which is not present at least in the through-hole in the central region and is present along the edge of the through-hole between the surfaces F2 and Fa.

12. The vehicle window glass according to any one of claims 1 to 2, characterized in that: The laminating interlayer comprises PVB (3).

13. The vehicle window glass according to any one of claims 1 to 2, characterized in that: The assembly of the first glass sheet (1) and the antireflection coating (2) has a total transmittance of at least 90.0% at a wavelength of 905±5 nm and / or 1550±5 nm, the total transmittance being measured at 90°.

14. The vehicle window glass according to claim 4, wherein: The cross section is trapezoidal, rectangular, disc-shaped or elliptical.

15. The vehicle window glass according to claim 8, wherein: The chemical protective bottom layer is a dense silicon dioxide layer.

16. The vehicle window glass according to claim 15, wherein: The dense silicon dioxide layer is obtained by a sol-gel method.

17. The vehicle window glass according to claim 10, wherein: It comprises a heating wire on the side of the face Fb.

18. The vehicle window glass according to claim 11, wherein: The functional layer is a stack containing silver.

19. The vehicle window glass according to claim 12, wherein: The laminating interlayer comprises PVB / functional film / PVB.

20. The vehicle window glass according to claim 19, wherein: The functional film is a polymer film with a thermal insulation coating.

21. A device, characterized in that: It includes: - A vehicle window glass according to any one of claims 1 to 20; - an infrared observation system (7) at said operating wavelength, arranged in the passenger compartment behind said window pane, so as to emit and / or receive radiation at the location of said through-hole after passing through the first glass sheet.

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