INTEGRATED GLASS SURFACE HEATING SYSTEMS AND APPLICATIONS THEREOF

Abstract

A glass pane device (300) adapted for installation in a vehicle, the glass pane device comprising:an outer glass pane (311) having a low-E coating (313) on a side facing the inner glass pane (312);an inner glass pane (312) having a low-E coating (313) on a side facing the outer glass pane (311);a gap (314) between the inner glass pane (312) and the outer glass pane (311), the gap (314) having a vacuum;anda heating element (109) configured to heat the inner glass pane (312), wherein the heating element (109) comprises a positive temperature coefficient (PTC) heating element, and wherein the PTC heating element comprises a flexible substrate and carbon-based ink,wherein the glass pane is integrated into a vehicle sunroof,further comprising an output (104), wherein the output (104) is configured to display a graphic representing the positions of the heating elements (109) and indicating their states selected from the group on, off, power setting;

Description

INTRODUCTION

[0001] Devices and methods consistent with exemplary embodiments relate to configurations of radiant heaters. In particular, devices and methods consistent with exemplary embodiments relate to the integration of radiant heaters into glass panes.

[0002] DE 698 19 247 T2 describes an insulating glass element consisting of at least two glass panes separated by a small gap in which a vacuum has been created.

[0003] US 2008 / 0 237 219 A1 describes a planar heating device comprising an insulating substrate, an electrically conductive film disposed on the substrate, a plurality of electrodes, each attached to one side of the electrically conductive film, and an insulating film covering the electrically conductive film. The electrically conductive film is preferably made of a material with a temperature coefficient of resistance of 420 ppm / °C or higher at normal temperature.

[0004] DE 10 2008 034 748 A1 describes a surface element with a first self-adhesive side surface and a second self-adhesive side surface, wherein the surface element has a layer sequence consisting of a heating layer, a contacting layer and an adhesive layer, in which the heating layer is in contact with a first side surface of the contacting layer and is electrically conductively connected to this, and in which the adhesive layer is in contact with a second side surface of the contacting layer, and wherein the heating layer consists of an intrinsically heatable first self-adhesive mass which is designed as a PTC thermistor which heats up when an electric current is passed through it, and in which the adhesive layer consists of a second self-adhesive mass. DESCRIPTION

[0005] One or more exemplary embodiments provide a glass panel device with an integrated heater. In particular, one or more exemplary embodiments provide a glass panel device with an integrated heater configured for a window or a sunroof.

[0006] According to one aspect of an exemplary embodiment, a glass pane device is provided. The device comprises an outer glass pane having a low-e coating on a side facing the inner glass pane, an inner glass pane having a low-e coating on a side facing the outer glass pane, a gap between the inner glass pane and the outer glass pane, the gap comprising a vacuum, and a heating element configured to heat the inner glass pane.

[0007] The heating element can consist of a PTC heating element (positive temperature coefficient) and two parallel-connected busbars connected to a tin oxide layer on the inner glass pane.

[0008] The device may include a power controller configured to generate and apply a pulse width modified signal to the heating element.

[0009] The device may include a controller configured to adjust a current or a frequency of the pulse width modified signal of the power controller according to one or more of an adjustment parameter and profile information.

[0010] The setting parameter may include one or more of a setting entered by the occupant, a pre-calibrated setting corresponding to the position of the glass pane, the temperature of a room, and the surface temperature of a surface into which the heating element is integrated.

[0011] The setting parameter can include a thermal comfort value and an optimal power consumption value.

[0012] The setting parameter may include an equivalent homogeneous temperature.

[0013] The profile information may include a profile of a resident who occupies a room corresponding to the heating element. The resident's profile information may include information about the resident's temperature preferences or the resident's heating element intensity preferences.

[0014] The apparatus may include a communication device configured to receive the setting parameters from one or more of a plurality of sensors.

[0015] The communication device can be further configured to receive the profile information from one or more servers and a mobile device.

[0016] The user inputs can be configured so that the setting parameters are available to the controller.

[0017] The device may also include a memory configured to store the setting parameters and the profile information.

[0018] The heating element may include a positive temperature coefficient (PTC) heating element, and the PTC heating element consists of a flexible substrate and a carbon-based ink.

[0019] The PTC heating element can be made of a ceramic material or silicone rubber.

[0020] The PTC heating element can be integrated into the inner glass pane.

[0021] The glass pane can be integrated into a vehicle window.

[0022] The glass pane can be integrated into a vehicle sunroof or a vehicle moon roof.

[0023] The low-E coating may contain one or more of the series fluorinated tin dioxide and silver.

[0024] Further objects, advantages and innovations of the example designs are explained in more detail in the following detailed description of the example designs and the corresponding figures. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE CHARACTERS

[0025] The examples given are described below in conjunction with the following figures, wherein like reference numerals denote like elements and wherein Fig. 1 shows a block diagram of a glass pane device according to an exemplary embodiment; Fig. 2A and Fig. 2B show illustrations of a positive temperature coefficient heating element and a graph showing a comparison of sunroof temperatures with and without the glass panel assembly according to several aspects of exemplary embodiments; and Fig. 3 shows the representation of a glass roof with the glass pane device according to an exemplary embodiment. DETAILED PRESENTATION

[0026] A heating device is now selected based on the Fig. 1 - 3 of the accompanying figures, in which like reference numerals refer to like elements throughout, are described in detail.

[0027] The following disclosure will enable one skilled in the art to practice the inventive concept. However, the exemplary embodiments disclosed herein are merely exemplary and do not limit the inventive concept to the exemplary embodiments described herein. Furthermore, descriptions of features or aspects of each exemplary embodiment should generally be considered available to aspects of other exemplary embodiments.

[0028] It is also to be understood that when it is stated herein that a first element is "connected," "attached," "molded," or "disposed upon" a second element, the first element may be directly connected, molded, or disposed upon the second element, or there may be intermediate elements between the first element and the second element, unless it is stated that a first element is "directly" connected, attached, molded, or disposed upon the second element.When a first element is arranged to "send" or "receive" information from a second element, the first element may send or receive the information directly to or from the second element, send or receive the information over a bus, send or receive the information over a network, or send or receive the information through intermediate elements, unless the first element is arranged to send or receive information "directly" to or from the second element.

[0029] Throughout the disclosure, one or more of the disclosed elements may be combined into a single device or one or more devices. Furthermore, individual elements may be deployed on separate devices.

[0030] Most vehicles are equipped with a heater core and a blower that forces air through the heater core to transfer heat from the coolant in the heater core to the cabin air system. The heater core and blower heating requires vents and fans, which take up space within the vehicle. Furthermore, with the development of electric vehicles, motors and coolants are no longer required in vehicles. Therefore, an alternative device is needed to heat a vehicle or vehicle components and ensure occupant comfort.

[0031] In many modern vehicles, seats and steering wheels are heated by resistance heaters. One type of heater is a positive temperature coefficient (PTC) heater. A PTC heater converts electrical energy into heat and can be flexible, allowing for various types of integration. Furthermore, the resistance of the PTC heater increases with rising temperature, effectively regulating the temperature of the surface into which the PTC heater is integrated. The aforementioned properties of the PTC heater allow the PTC heater to be integrated into various surfaces, providing greater comfort for occupants and providing additional amenities through heated surfaces.

[0032] Fig. 1 shows a block diagram of a heater according to an exemplary embodiment. As in Fig. 1, the contact heater 100 according to an exemplary embodiment consists of a controller 101, a power supply 102, a memory 103, an output 104, a sensor 105, a user input 106, a power controller 107, a communication device 108, and a heating element 109. However, the contact heater 100 is not limited to the aforementioned configuration and can be configured to include additional elements and / or omit one or more of the aforementioned elements. The contact heater 100 can be deployed as part of a vehicle, as a standalone component, or as a hybrid between an on-board device 110 and a remote device.

[0033] The controller 101 controls the overall function and operation of the contact heater 100. The controller 101 may directly or indirectly control one or more of the following components: a power supply 102, a memory 103, an output 104, a sensor 105, a user input 106, a power controller 107, a communication device 108, and a heating element 109 of the contact heater 100. The controller 101 may include one or more of a processor, a microprocessor, a central processing unit (CPU), a graphics processor, application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs), field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), state machines, switching circuits, and a combination of hardware, software, and firmware components.

[0034] The controller 101 is configured to send and / or receive information from one or more of the power supply 102, the memory 103, the output 104, the sensor 105, the user input 106, the power controller 107, the communication device 108, and the heating element 109 of the contact heater 100. The information may be sent and received via a bus or network, or it may be read or written directly from one or more of the following devices: the power supply 102, the memory 103, the output 104, the sensor 105, the user input 106, the power controller 107, the communication device 108, and the heating element 109 of the contact heater 100. Examples of suitable network connections include a Controller Area Network (CAN), a Media-Oriented System Transfer (MOST), a Local Area Network (LIN), a Local Area Network (LAN), and wireless networks such as Bluetooth and 802.11 and other suitable connections such as Ethernet.

[0035] According to one example, the controller 101 is configured to adjust the amplitude and frequency of a current or a voltage of the pulse width modified signal of the power controller 107 according to one or more of an adjustment parameter and profile information.

[0036] The power supply 102 supplies power to one or more of the memory 103, the output 104, the sensor 105, the user input 106, the power controller 107, the communication device 108, and the heating element 109 of the contact heater 100. The power supply 102 may include one or more of a battery, a wall outlet, a capacitor, a solar cell, a generator, a wind generator, an alternator, etc.

[0037] Memory 103 is configured to store and retrieve information used by contact heater 100. The information may include setting parameter information or profile information. The setting parameter may include one or more of a setting entered by the occupant via user input 106, a pre-calibrated, pre-stored setting corresponding to a position of heating element 109, a room temperature recorded by sensor 105, and a heating element temperature recorded by sensor 105.

[0038] The optimal power consumption value is a minimum power consumption value that corresponds to an occupant's thermal comfort level. The minimum power consumption value is achieved by coordinating the settings of the HVAC components to achieve a desired or maximum thermal comfort level and determining all different combinations of HVAC component settings that consume the least power for an occupant's desired or maximum thermal comfort level. Thermal comfort is the comfort of occupants at a given equivalent homogeneous temperature or at a given combination of HVAC component settings.

[0039] The profile information can be a profile of a resident. The profile information can, for example, be a profile of a resident who occupies a room or an area near the heating element. The resident's profile information can include information about the resident's desired thermal comfort level for a specific season, the weather, the time of day, etc., the resident's temperature preferences, or the resident's preferences regarding the heating element intensity.

[0040] The memory 103 can be controlled by the controller 101 to store and retrieve information received from one or more sensors 105, as well as computer- or machine-executable instructions for controlling the heating element 109. The memory 103 can include one or more floppy disks, optical disks, CD-ROMs (Compact Disc Read Only Memories), magneto-optical disks, ROMs (Read Only Memories), RAMs (Random Access Memories), EPROMs (Erasable Programmable Read Only Memories), EEPROMs (Electrically Erasable Programmable Read Only Memories), magnetic or optical cards, flash memory, cache memory, and other types of media / machine-readable media suitable for storing machine-executable instructions.

[0041] Output 104 outputs information in one or more forms: visual, audible, and / or haptic. Output 104 can be controlled by controller 101 to provide outputs to the user of contact heater 100. Output 104 can include one or more speakers, audio, a display, a centrally located display, a head-up display, a windshield display, a haptic feedback device, a vibration device, a tactile feedback device, a tap feedback device, a holographic display, an instrument light, an indicator light, etc.

[0042] Output 104 can output one or more messages consisting of an audible message, a light message, and a display message. The message can contain information about the activation or deactivation of the heating element 109 or the contact heater 100. Output 104 can also display an image and information from one or more sensors 105. Output 104 can display a graphic representing the positions of the heating elements 109 and indicating their states, e.g., on, off, power setting, etc.

[0043] Sensor 105 may include one or more thermometers, a power sensor, and a temperature sensor. The power sensor may be a current sensor, a voltage sensor, or another sensor that detects the current or other power value of the signal output to heating element 109.

[0044] The user input 106 is configured to provide information and commands to the contact heater 100. The user input 106 can be used to provide user input, etc., to the controller 101. The user input 106 can include one or more of a touchscreen, a keyboard, a soft keypad, a button, a motion detector, a voice input detector, a microphone, a camera, a trackpad, a mouse, a touchpad, etc. The user input 106 can be configured to receive user input to acknowledge or dismiss the message output through the output 104. The user input 106 can also be configured to receive user input to activate or deactivate the contact heater 100.

[0045] The power controller 107 may include a circuit with a signal generator, such as a pulse generator (e.g., solid-state pulse generator), and an amplifier. Additionally, the power controller 107 may include a DC-to-DC converter and pulse generator, such as a solid-state pulse generator. According to one example, the power controller may include a transformer configured to convert the alternating current supplied by the power supply into an alternating voltage and frequency to operate the heating element 109. According to another example, the power controller may include a direct current (DC) to DC converter configured to convert the power supplied by the power supply into a suitable voltage and frequency to operate the heating element 109.As another example, the power controller may be configured to convert current, voltage, waveform, and frequency of the power inputs and generate an output signal corresponding to the converted current, voltage, waveform, and frequency for the heating element 109.

[0046] The communication device 108 can be used by the contact heater 100 to communicate with various types of external devices using various communication methods. With the communication device 108, various information, such as setting parameters and profile information for operating the contact heater 100, can be sent to / received from the controller 101 from / to various external devices, such as telephones, USB devices, etc.

[0047] The communication device 108 may include various communication modules, such as one or more of a telematics unit, a broadcast reception module, a near-field communication (NFC) module, a GPS receiver, a wired communication module, or a wireless communication module. The broadcast reception module may include a terrestrial broadcast reception module with an antenna for receiving a terrestrial broadcast signal, a demodulator, and an equalizer, etc. The NFC module is a module that communicates with an external, nearby device using an NFC method. The GPS receiver is a module that receives a GPS signal from a GPS satellite and determines a current location. The wired communication module may be a module that receives information over a wired network, such as a local area network, a controller area network (CAN), or an external network.The wireless communication module is a module that connects to and communicates with an external network using a wireless communication protocol such as IEEE 802.11, WiMAX, Wi-Fi, or the IEEE communication protocol. The wireless communication module may further include a mobile communication module that accesses a cellular network and communicates according to various cellular standards, such as cellular networks. 3rd Generation (3G), 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP), Long Term Evolution (LTE), Bluetooth, EVDO, CDMA, GPRS, EDGE or ZigBee.

[0048] The heating element 109 is an electrical device that generates heat when an electric current is passed through the element. In one example, the heating element 109 may be a coating of tin oxide on the inside of the inner pane. The tin oxide coating may be transparent and conduct electricity, which is applied by two parallel bus bars to opposite edges on the same side of the glass pane. Electric current flows across the tin oxide layer from one bus bar to the other. The electrical resistance of the coating generates heat energy that is radiated from the glass. The bus bars are connected to the power controller 107, which regulates the current flow and thus the temperature of the glass.

[0049] Alternatively, the heating element may be a PTC (Positive Thermal Coefficient) heating element, which is self-regulating and self-limiting because the electrical resistance of the element increases with increasing temperature. Specifically, the PTC heating element 109 may be a flexible substrate with a printed ink or rubber. In another example, the PTC heating element 109 may be made of ceramic, silicone rubber, or carbon-based ink applied to a plastic film.

[0050] Fig. 2A and Fig. 2B show illustrations of a positive temperature coefficient heating element and a graph showing a comparison of sunroof temperatures with and without a glass panel assembly according to several aspects of example embodiments.

[0051] Related to Fig. Figure 2A shows a flexible PTC heating element 201. The PTC heating element 201 includes a pattern printed on a substrate connected to two electrodes configured to receive current. Applying current to the electrodes causes the printed image to radiate heat.

[0052] The example in Figure 210 shows a comparison of sunroof temperatures with and without the glass pane device. Specifically, the y-axis shows the sunroof temperature, and the x-axis shows time in seconds.

[0053] The lines in the graph represent the sunroof temperature of a vehicle cooled to -20 degrees Celsius. Line 211 shows the sunroof temperature without the heating element in a glass pane, which barely exceeds the 20-degree Celsius threshold when the vehicle is heated with fans without radiant heaters. In line 212, the glass temperature is heated to 60 degrees Celsius in just over 1000 seconds, and in line 213, it is heated to 80 degrees Celsius in just over 500 seconds. The heating rate and the maximum glass temperature can be adjusted according to one or more profile information and a setting parameter.

[0054] Fig. 3 shows the representation of a glass roof with the glass pane device according to an exemplary embodiment.

[0055] To Fig.Figure 3 shows the PTC heating element 109 integrated into a glass pane 300 of a vehicle 301. In this example, the glass pane is that of a sunroof or moonroof 310.

[0056] The glass pane 310 consists of an outer glass pane 311 and an inner glass pane 312. A low-E coating 313 is arranged on one or more of the outer glass pane 311 and the inner glass pane 312. A gap 314 can be vacuum-separated and arranged between the outer glass pane 311 and the inner glass pane 312. The low-E coating 313 can be located on the side of the glass panes facing the gap. For example, the low-E coating of the outer glass pane 311 can be on the side of the inner glass pane 312, and the low-E coating of the inner glass pane 312 can be on the side of the outer glass pane 311.

[0057] The inner glass pane 312 may include an integrated heater 315. The integrated heater 315 may have a microscopic coating of tin oxide on the inner surface of the inner pane. The tin oxide coating may be transparent and conduct current from two parallel busbars arranged at opposite edges on the same side of the glass pane.

[0058] Alternatively, the integrated heater 315 can be a PTC heating element. The PTC heating element can be glued or attached to an inside or outside of the inner glass pane 312. Alternatively, the heating element 109 can be glued to an inside of the outer glass pane 311.

[0059] The processes, methods, or algorithms disclosed herein may be delivered to / implemented by a processing device, controller, or computer, which may include any existing programmable electronic control device or a dedicated electronic control device. Similarly, the processes, methods, or algorithms may be stored as data and instructions executable by a controller or computer in many forms, including, but not limited to, information permanently stored on non-writable storage media such as ROM devices and information modifiably stored on writable storage media such as floppy disks, magnetic tapes, CDs, RAM devices, and other magnetic and optical media. The processes, methods, or algorithms may also be implemented in an executable software object.Alternatively, the processes, methods or algorithms may be embodied in whole or in part by suitable hardware components, such as Application Specific Integrated Circuits (ASICs), Field-Programmable Gate Arrays (FPGAs), state machines, controllers or other hardware components or devices, or a combination of hardware, software and firmware components.

[0060] One or more exemplary embodiments have been described above with reference to the figures. The exemplary embodiments described above should be considered only in a descriptive sense and not for purposes of limitation. Furthermore, the exemplary embodiments may be modified without departing from the spirit and scope of the inventive concept defined by the following claims.

Claims

[1] A glass pane device (300) adapted to be installed in a vehicle, the glass pane device comprising: an outer glass pane (311) having a low-E coating (313) on a side facing the inner glass pane (312); an inner glass pane (312) having a low-E coating (313) on a side facing the outer glass pane (311); a gap (314) between the inner glass pane (312) and the outer glass pane (311), the gap (314) having a vacuum; and a heating element (109) configured to heat the inner glass pane (312), wherein the heating element (109) comprises a positive temperature coefficient (PTC) heating element, and wherein the PTC heating element comprises a flexible substrate and carbon-based ink, where the glass pane is integrated into a vehicle sunroof, further comprising an output (104), the output (104) being configured to display a graphic representing the positions of the heating elements (109) and indicating their states selected from the group of on, off, power setting. [2] The device (300) of claim 1, wherein the heating element (109) comprises a positive temperature coefficient heating element, PTC, or two parallel-connected bus bars connected to a tin oxide layer on the inner glass pane. [3] The apparatus (300) of claim 2, further comprising a power controller (107) configured to generate and apply a pulse width modified signal to the heating element (109). [4] The device (300) according to claim 3, further comprising a controller (101) configured to adjust a current or a frequency of the pulse width modified signal of the power controller (107) according to a setting parameter and / or profile information. [5] The device (300) of claim 1, wherein the PTC heating element (109) comprises a ceramic material or silicone rubber. [6] The device (300) according to claim 1, wherein the PTC heating element (109) is integrated into the inner glass pane (312). [7] The device (300) of claim 1, wherein the low-E coating (313) comprises a fluorinated tin dioxide and / or silver.

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