Vehicle windscreen with electrically switchable arrangement and method for manufacturing the electrically switchable arrangement

DE102023116713B4Active Publication Date: 2025-02-20WEBASTO AG
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Patent Information

Application Number
DE102023116713
Authority / Receiving Office
DE · DE
Patent Type
Patents
Current Assignee / Owner
Priority Date
2023-05-08
Filing Date
2023-06-26
Publication Date
2025-02-20
Estimated Expiration
2043-06-26

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Abstract

Vehicle windscreen comprising a windscreen body arrangement with at least one windscreen body and an electrically switchable arrangement comprising a first carrier film (28) with a first electrode layer (35), a second carrier film (30) with a second electrode layer (34) and an electrically switchable layer arranged between the two carrier films (28, 30), wherein the two carrier films (28, 30) are welded together via a weld seam (38) after a welding process to seal the electrically switchable layer and at least one of the two electrode layers (28, 30) is interrupted by an insulating track (40), characterized by a first electrical contact area (44),in which the second carrier film (30) is cut out and the first carrier film (28) is free from the second carrier film (30) and the electrically switchable layer, and the second carrier film (30) is connected along its edges to the first carrier film (28) via a sealing material (51), wherein the weld seam (38) has an interruption and the contact area (44) is formed in the interruption.
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Description

[0001] The invention relates to a vehicle window having the features of the preamble of patent claim 1 and to a method for producing an electrically switchable arrangement.

[0002] A vehicle window is known in practice, which in particular represents a roof element that is arranged fixedly or adjustably relative to a vehicle body. This vehicle window, which is designed as a composite component, comprises a window body arrangement, which in particular comprises an outer window body that forms an outer visible surface of the vehicle window, and an inner window body that forms an inner visible surface of the vehicle window. To control the entry of light through the vehicle window, an electrically switchable arrangement designed as a liquid crystal arrangement is arranged between the outer window body and the inner window body. This liquid crystal arrangement can be switched between a blocking state, in which the liquid crystal arrangement acts like a diffuser, and a transmission state, in which light can pass through the vehicle window essentially unscattered.The structure of the liquid crystal arrangement comprises two carrier foils, between which a liquid crystal layer is arranged as an electrically switchable layer. This layer can be switched between the two switching states by applying an appropriate electrical voltage. To enable the electrical voltage to be applied, the carrier foils each comprise an electrode layer on the side facing the liquid crystal layer, which can be connected to a control device or a voltage source by appropriate electrical contact. The electrical contact between the electrode layers is made particularly at the lateral edges of the liquid crystal arrangement, so that leaks can occur in this area.These leaks can lead to material diffusion between an adhesive holding the composite structure together and the liquid crystal layer, which can particularly be a so-called PDLC layer (polymer dispersed liquid crystal layer). This, in turn, can lead to edge clearing, which is caused by optical defects in the liquid crystal layer.

[0003] From the publication US 2016 / 0138328 A1, a vehicle window is known in which an electrically switchable arrangement is accommodated between two window bodies. The arrangement comprises two carrier foils, each with an electrode layer, and an electrically switchable layer between the two electrode layers. The two carrier foils can be welded together along their edges. Furthermore, a separating line can be formed on each of the electrode layers.

[0004] A method for producing electrochromic devices is known from the document US 2009 / 0316248 A1.

[0005] From the document WO 2022 / 180021 A1, an electrically switchable foil arrangement is known in which electrode layers are contacted via busbars.

[0006] The invention is based on the object of providing a vehicle window constructed according to the type mentioned in the introduction with a functionally reliable seal of the electrically switchable layer of the electrically switchable arrangement, as well as a method for producing an electrically switchable arrangement of such a vehicle window.

[0007] This object is achieved according to the invention by the vehicle window having the features of claim 1 and by the method having the features of claim 7.

[0008] According to the invention, a vehicle window is proposed that comprises a window body arrangement with at least one window body and an electrically switchable arrangement comprising a first carrier film with a first electrode layer, a second carrier film with a second electrode layer, and an electrically switchable layer arranged between the two carrier films. To seal the electrically switchable layer, the two carrier films are welded together via a weld seam after a welding process, wherein at least one of the two electrode layers is interrupted by an insulating track. The welding process is, in particular, an ultrasonic welding process or a high-frequency welding process.

[0009] By welding the two carrier films, each carrying an electrode layer, a material-tight connection is ensured between the two carrier films made of plastic, particularly PET. This results in an effective sealing of the electrically switchable layer. For such a seal, which can be achieved particularly along the edges of the carrier films, no additional material is required, which in turn keeps the manufacturing costs of the vehicle window low. Furthermore, after the ultrasonic welding process has been completed, no further processing or modification of the area of ​​the carrier films representing the functional films to be sealed is necessary, which results in short cycle times and thus has a positive impact on the manufacturing costs of the vehicle window. In addition, the equipment used for the ultrasonic welding process is generally low-maintenance.The weld seam created along a weld line between the two carrier films thus represents a permanent, diffusion-tight barrier that effectively prevents the potential penetration of plasticizers or similar substances into the electrically switchable layer, which in turn prevents the formation of optical defects or similar substances in the electrically switchable layer. Furthermore, the weld seam is robust against mechanical stress because it forms a material-to-material bond between the two carrier films.

[0010] The interruption created along the insulation track on at least one of the two electrode layers ensures that no short circuit occurs between the first and second electrode layers due to the welding of the two carrier films. This ensures that the switching behavior of the electrically switchable vehicle window is not impaired due to the welding of the two carrier films.

[0011] The insulation track thus represents a strip-like recess in the respective electrode layer, which follows the weld seam and can be formed parallel to it. This recess separates a non-functional edge strip of the respective electrode layer, which borders the weld seam, from a central functional area of ​​the electrode layer, which can be used to switch the electrically switchable layer.

[0012] In principle, it is usually sufficient if one of the two electrode layers is provided with an insulating track that follows the weld seam. However, it is also conceivable for both electrode layers to be provided with an insulating track designed according to the invention.

[0013] During the ultrasonic welding process, the electrically switchable layer is displaced from the area of ​​the resulting weld seam by pressing the first carrier film and the second carrier film together during the ultrasonic welding process.

[0014] The electrically switchable arrangement of the vehicle window according to the invention is, in particular, a so-called PDLC arrangement (polymer dispersed liquid crystal arrangement), which comprises a polymer matrix as the electrically switchable layer or liquid crystal layer in which liquid crystals are embedded in droplet form. However, the electrically switchable layer can also be a conventional liquid LC layer (LC: liquid crystal), a so-called SPD layer (SPD: suspended particle device), or an EC layer (EC: electrochrome).

[0015] The electrode layers of the electrically switchable arrangement, each arranged on one of the carrier foils, are preferably each formed from a transparent ITO (indium tin oxide) coating. The carrier foils are made of a suitable plastic material, which in particular is PET (polyethylene terephthalate) or may include the like.

[0016] To protect the electrically switchable assembly, which is bonded to the pane body as a film composite, from diffusion processes and also from the penetration of moisture or similar, it is expediently enclosed on all sides by a lamination material. The lamination material is made, for example, from PVB (polyvinyl butyral) film or another suitable material.

[0017] The electrically switchable arrangement, which in the broadest sense represents a shading device for the vehicle window, expediently has an electrical contact region for each of the two electrode layers, via which the electrically switchable arrangement can be electrically connected to an electrical control device or a voltage source. In the vehicle window according to the invention, a first electrical contact region for contacting the first electrode layer is designed such that the second carrier film is cut out therein, and the first carrier film is free of the second carrier film and the electrically switchable layer in the resulting cutout, and the second carrier film is connected to the first carrier film along its edges, which are defined by the cutout, via a sealing material.In a second electrical contact region, in which the second electrode layer can be contacted, the first carrier film is cut out, the second carrier film is free from the first carrier film and the electrically switchable layer, wherein the first carrier film is connected to the second carrier film along its edges, which are defined by the cutout, via a sealing material.

[0018] Since the insulation track of the relevant electrode layer prevents this electrode layer from being electrically contacted over its entire surface from the edge of the electrically switchable arrangement or from being set to a constant voltage level over its entire surface, it can be advantageous for the weld seam not to be formed completely around the electrically switchable arrangement. Rather, the weld seam is interrupted by one of the electrical contact areas, in which case, as described above, the edges of the cut-out film of the relevant electrical contact area are then connected to the other carrier film via the sealing material, which is in particular made of a liquid adhesive, so that diffusion of plasticizers or the like from the lamination material into the electrically switchable layer is not possible in the area of ​​this contact area either. This therefore results in a so-called hybrid solution in which the electrically switchable arrangement orThe electrically switchable layer is sealed by the weld seam created using the ultrasonic welding process and by the sealing material. The advantages of both sealing concepts are thus combined in an electrically switchable arrangement.

[0019] If the weld seam is interrupted and formed in the interruption of the contact areas, the other electrical contact area can be arranged in the area of ​​the electrically switchable arrangement, i.e., within the area enclosed by the weld seam and the insulation track. However, it is also conceivable for both contact areas to be arranged in a corresponding interruption of the weld seam and, if applicable, the insulation track.

[0020] However, it is also conceivable for the separate weld seam and the insulation track arranged within the weld seam to each be completely circumferential. In this case, the two electrical contact areas can be arranged within the surface area enclosed by the insulation track, with the first electrode layer being contacted from the side of the second carrier foil and the second electrode layer being contacted from the side of the first carrier foil.

[0021] In the method according to the invention, an electrically switchable assembly is produced which is a component of a vehicle window and, in the assembled state, is connected to a window body assembly comprising at least one window body. The method involves at least the following steps: - Providing a first carrier film with a first electrode layer, a second carrier film with a second electrode layer and an electrically switchable layer for arrangement between the two electrode layers; - creating an insulation track on at least one of the two electrode layers, before or after the introduction of the electrically switchable layer between the first carrier foil and the second carrier foil; and - Joining the first carrier film and the second carrier film by applying an ultrasonic welding process.

[0022] The first carrier foil with the first electrode layer, the second carrier foil with the second electrode layer, and the electrically switchable layer are preferably provided as a unit on which the insulation track, which represents an electrical separation of two regions of the respective electrode layer and can have a width between 5 µm and 5 mm, is produced mechanically using a knife or the like or physically using a laser system, for example a CO2 laser. The first carrier foil and the second carrier foil can be joined using the ultrasonic welding process before the insulation track is created, after the insulation track is created, or even simultaneously with the insulation track.

[0023] The insulation track ensures that no short circuit occurs between the first and second electrode layers, which are brought into contact between the two carrier foils during the ultrasonic welding process. The insulation track is offset toward the center of the film composite compared to the preferably parallel weld seam between the first and second carrier foils.

[0024] In order to ensure that the two electrode layers can serve as functional and switchable regions, a first contact region is produced for electrically connecting the first electrode layer to an electrical control device by cutting out the second carrier film and making the first carrier film free from the second carrier film and the electrically switchable layer in the cut-out region, and connecting the second carrier film to the first carrier film at its edges resulting from the cut-out via a sealing material.

[0025] Accordingly, for the electrical connection of the second electrode layer to the electrical control device, a second contact region is expediently produced by cutting out the first carrier film and making the second carrier film free from the first carrier film and the electrically switchable layer in the cut-out region, and connecting the first carrier film to the second carrier film via a sealing material at its cut edges resulting from this cut-out.

[0026] The contact areas ensure that a switching process affects at least parts of the area of ​​the electrically switchable arrangement enclosed by the insulation track. This allows the electrical control device to control both electrode layers.

[0027] It is also conceivable that the insulation track is formed not only on the electrode layer of one of the two carrier foils, but on the electrode layers of both carrier foils.

[0028] In a specific embodiment of the method according to the invention, the two carrier foils are trimmed during joining using the ultrasonic welding process. Simultaneously with the joining of the two carrier foils, the carrier foils can also be cut to size using the ultrasonic welding tool. This manufacturing step therefore does not need to be performed separately.

[0029] When sealing the edges of the electrically switchable assembly using the ultrasonic welding process, an ultrasonic roll seam welding process or an ultrasonic welding process with a rigidly mounted sonotrode can be used. In particular, a disk-shaped, rotating sonotrode can be used to create a continuous weld seam between the two carrier foils. The assembly consisting of the two carrier foils and the electrically switchable layer is passed between the rotating sonotrode and an anvil, which may also be driven and then rotated. The distance between the sonotrode and the anvil should be less than the thickness of the film composite. During this process, contact is established between the electrode layers of the two carrier foils.The electrically switchable layer, which is preferably formed from a polymer of a PDLC layer, is displaced from the gap between the sonotrode and the anvil by pressing the two carrier foils together. This leaves the weld seam free of the electrically switchable layer. The insulation track, which represents a kind of segmentation line of the respective electrode layer, prevents the two electrode layers from being short-circuited across their entire surfaces.

[0030] When using a rigid sonotrode, to create the weld seam between the two carrier foils, the sonotrode, with the foil composite consisting of the two carrier foils and the electrically switchable layer in between, is moved along the foil composite at a specified distance from the anvil along a defined line, which can be referred to as the insulation line or segmentation line. However, unlike the roller seam welding process using a rotating sonotrode, only a certain length of weld seam can be created per tool stroke. Therefore, depending on the geometry, the tool may need to be applied to the foil structure multiple times.

[0031] Further advantages and advantageous embodiments of the subject matter of the invention can be found in the description, the drawings and the claims.

[0032] The scope of the invention includes all combinations of at least two features disclosed in the description, the claims and / or the figures, i.e. each feature mentioned or shown can be part of the claimed subject matter independently of the other features mentioned in the respective context.

[0033] An embodiment of a vehicle window according to the invention and embodiments of the method according to the invention are shown schematically in simplified form in the drawing and are described in more detail below. It shows: Fig. 1 a plan view of a vehicle roof with a vehicle window according to the invention; Fig. 2 a schematic section through the vehicle window according to Fig. 1 along line II-II in Fig. 1; Fig. 3 a plan view of an electrically switchable arrangement of the vehicle window; Fig. 4 an ultrasonic welding process for connecting two carrier foils of the electrically switchable arrangement; Fig. 5 an ultrasonic welding process for joining the two carrier foils of the electrically switchable arrangement with a simultaneous cutting process; Fig. 6 is a plan view of an alternative embodiment of an electrically switchable arrangement of the Fig. 3 shown type; and Fig. 7 is a plan view of a further alternative embodiment of an electrically switchable arrangement of the Fig. 3 shown species.

[0034] In Fig. 1 shows a vehicle roof 10 of a passenger car, which is provided with a fixed roof element 12 that is rigidly or immovably connected to a body-mounted roof frame 14. The fixed roof element 12 comprises a vehicle window 16, which is Fig. 2 and Fig. 3 is shown in more detail and is provided with a shading function by means of which the incidence of light via the fixed roof element 16 into an interior of the passenger car can be controlled.

[0035] The vehicle window 16 is designed as a composite structure and comprises a window outer body 18, which in the present case is formed from a curved glass pane, but can also be formed from a flat, curved plastic body, which is made in particular from a polycarbonate material or the like. The window outer body 18 forms the visible surface of the vehicle window 16 facing the vehicle's surroundings. On the side facing the vehicle interior, the vehicle window 16 comprises a window inner body 20, which is also formed from a curved glass pane, but corresponding to the window outer body 18, can also be made from a flat, curved plastic, which is made in particular from a polycarbonate material.

[0036] A PDLC (polymer dispersed liquid crystal) array 22 is arranged between the outer pane body 18 and the inner pane body 20 as a shading array. The array is bonded to the outer pane body 18 via a first lamination layer 24 made of PVB (polyvinyl butyral) and to the inner pane body 20 via a second lamination layer 26, also made of PVB. The PDLC array 22 represents an electrically switchable array of the vehicle pane 16.

[0037] The PDLC arrangement 22 comprises a first carrier film 28 and a second carrier film 30, each provided with an electrode layer 32 and 34 made of transparent ITO (indium tin oxide). Between the carrier films 28 and 30, or their electrode layers 32 and 34, a liquid crystal layer 36 is arranged as an electrically switchable layer. This layer forms the functional element of the PDLC arrangement 22 and comprises a polymer matrix in which liquid crystal droplets are embedded.

[0038] The carrier films 28, made in particular of PET, each have a thickness of approximately 0.2 mm. The liquid crystal layer 36 can have a thickness of approximately 0.02 mm.

[0039] The two electrode layers 32 and 34 are each connected, in a manner not shown, to an electrical control device so that a voltage can be applied to the liquid crystal layer 36. This allows the scattering behavior of the liquid crystal layer 36 to be controlled, specifically between a blocking position in which the light striking the undirected liquid crystal droplets is strongly scattered, and a transmitting position in which the liquid crystal droplets are aligned and light striking the liquid crystal layer 36 can pass through essentially unscattered.

[0040] The PDLC arrangement 22 comprises, in particular Fig. 3, an edge seal is formed by a weld seam 38, which, except for a section K, circumferentially follows the edges of the PDLC arrangement 22. The weld seam 38, which is created by an ultrasonic welding process, connects the two carrier films 28 and 30 to one another and thus seals the liquid crystal layer 36 from the environment.

[0041] Offset relative to the weld seam 38 toward the center of the planar PDLC arrangement 22, an insulation track 40 is formed on the second electrode layer 34 of the second carrier film 30, which electrically separates a strip 42 of the second electrode layer 34 located between the insulation track 40 and the weld seam 38 from a surface area of ​​the second electrode layer 34 located within the insulation track 40. The insulation track 40 follows the weld seam 38 and is also interrupted in the section K.

[0042] In order to electrically contact the surface area of ​​the first electrode layer 32 located within the insulation track 40, a first electrical contact area 44 is formed in section K by cutting out the second carrier film 30 in a rectangular manner in the relevant edge area, and leaving the first carrier film free of the second carrier film 30 and the liquid crystal layer 36 in the contact area 44, so that the first electrode layer 32 is exposed. A contact element 46, which can be connected to the electrical control device, is applied to the first electrode layer 32 in the contact area 44. A sealing material 51, formed from liquid adhesive, connects the cut edges of the second carrier film 30 to the first carrier film 28 in the contact area 44 or at the edges of the contact area 44.

[0043] To contact the second electrode layer 34, a second electrical contact region 48 is formed within the region enclosed by the interruption track 40. This is achieved by exposing the second electrode layer 34 of the second carrier film 30. For this purpose, the first carrier film 28 is cut out rectangularly in the second contact region 48, and the second carrier film 30 or its second electrode layer 34 is free from the first carrier film 28, including its first electrode layer 32, and free from the liquid crystal layer 36. A second electrical contact element 50 is mounted in the exposed region of the second electrode layer 34 or the second contact region 48, which can also be connected to the electrical control device (not shown). The second contact region 48 lies within the surface area of ​​the PDLC arrangement 22 enclosed by the insulation track 40.A sealing material 51 made of a liquid adhesive connects the cut edges of the first carrier film 28 in the second contact area 48 to the second carrier film 30.

[0044] The contact element 46 of the first electrode layer 32 is accessible from the side of the second carrier film 30 and the contact element 50 of the second electrode layer 34 is accessible from the side of the first carrier film 28.

[0045] The PDLC arrangement 32 described above can be manufactured in the manner described below.

[0046] How Fig. 4, a PDLC blank 22' is first provided, which comprises the upper, first carrier film 28, the lower, second carrier film 30 and the liquid crystal layer 36, which is arranged between the two carrier films 28 and 30. The upper carrier film 28 carries the first electrode layer 32 on its side facing the liquid crystal layer 36. The lower carrier film 30 carries the second electrode layer 34 on its side facing the liquid crystal layer 36. The composite structure designed in this way, which forms the PDLC blank 22', is then introduced into an ultrasonic welding device 52 to form the weld seam 38. The ultrasonic welding device 52 comprises a rotating sonotrode 54 and a rotating anvil 56. The PDLC blank 22' is guided through the gap between the anvil 56 and the sonotrode 54 to form the weld seam 38.Here, the anvil 56 is pressed onto the PDLC blank 22' with a contact pressure P such that the gap width is smaller than the thickness of the PDLC blank 22'. During the resulting ultrasonic welding process, the two carrier films 28 and 30 are pressed together in such a way that the polymer of the liquid crystal layer 34 is displaced from the welding area. The two carrier films 28 and 30, made of PET, are fused or welded together in a material-to-material bond. In this process, the electrode layers 32 and 34 of the two carrier films 28 and 30 are also brought into contact with each other.

[0047] To ensure the functionality of the resulting PDLC assembly 32, the insulating track 40 is created in the ITO electrode layer 34 simultaneously with the formation of the weld seam 38 using a CO2 laser. The PET of the carrier film 30 is transparent to the CO2 laser, so that only the electrode layer 36 can be destroyed in a targeted manner, creating a strip-like recess that forms the insulating track 40 and has a width of approximately 1 mm. The carrier film 30 is then free of conductive ITO along the insulating track 40.

[0048] Subsequently, the first contact region 44 for electrically connecting the first electrode layer 32 to an electrical control device can be produced by applying the second carrier film 30 in the manner shown in Fig. 3 is cut out and the first carrier film 28, which carries the first electrode layer 32, is made free of the second carrier film 30 and the liquid crystal layer 36 in the cut-out area. The second carrier film 30 is then connected to the first carrier film 28 at the cut edges via the sealing material 51 formed from liquid adhesive. The first contact element 46 is then placed onto the resulting first contact area 44. The second contact area 48 is produced by cutting out the first carrier film 28 and making the second carrier film 30 free of the first carrier film 28 and the liquid crystal layer 36 in the cut-out area and then connecting the first carrier film 28 to the second carrier film 30 at the exposed cut edges via the sealing material 51 formed from the liquid adhesive.

[0049] To form the contact areas 44 and 48, the carrier foils 28 and 30 or their electrode layers 32 and 34 are exposed in each case in regions.

[0050] The now finished PDLC arrangement 22 can then be further processed, i.e. it can be connected to control lines and connected or laminated to the outer pane body 18 and the inner pane body 20 to form the vehicle pane 16.

[0051] Based on Fig. 5 shows an ultrasonic welding process on a PDLC blank 22', which is designed correspondingly to the PDLC blank of the previously described embodiment. However, the ultrasonic welding process is performed directly on the peripheral edge of the PDLC blank 22', with a gap between the rotating anvil 56 and the rotating sonotrode 54 being advanced to such an extent that they are almost in contact with each other. This not only welds the two carrier foils 28 and 30, but simultaneously also trims the edge of the PDLC blank, so that the desired dimensions of the resulting PDLC arrangement 22 are also produced by the ultrasonic welding process. Likewise, the insulation track 40 is formed in the electrode layer 34 of the carrier foil 30 along the formed weld seam 38 using a CO2 laser 58.

[0052] In a Fig. In the alternative embodiment of a PDLC arrangement 22 shown in Figure 6, which can also be part of a vehicle window of the type shown above, the insulation track 40 is formed on the first carrier film 28 or on its electrode layer 32. In this case, the insulation track 40 extends from both sides into the contact area 44, where it is guided to the edge of the first carrier film 28. Otherwise, this embodiment corresponds to the embodiment shown in Figure 6. Fig. 1 to 3, for which reason reference is made to the relevant description.

[0053] In Fig. 7 shows a further embodiment of a PDLC arrangement 22 which is largely similar to that of Fig.6, differs from this in that the insulation track 40 is formed circumferentially on the first carrier foil, so that it extends through the contact region 44. The contact element 46 is arranged within the insulation track 40. Otherwise, this PDLC arrangement corresponds to the embodiments described above, which is why reference is made to the relevant description. List of reference symbols 10 Vehicle roof 12 fixed roof elements 14 roof frames 16 vehicle window 18 Disc outer body 20 disc inner body 22 PDLC array 24 lamination layer 26 Lamination layer 28 Carrier film 30 carrier film 32 Electrode layer 34 Electrode layer 36 liquid crystal layer 38 Weld seam 40 Isolation track 42 stripes 44 Contact area 46 Contact element 48 Contact area 50 contact element 51 Sealing material 52 Ultrasonic welding device 54 Sonotrode 56 anvil

Claims

[1] Vehicle window, comprising a window body arrangement with at least one window body and an electrically switchable arrangement which comprises a first carrier film (28) with a first electrode layer (35), a second carrier film (30) with a second electrode layer (34) and an electrically switchable layer which is arranged between the two carrier films (28, 30), wherein the two carrier films (28, 30) are welded to one another via a weld seam (38) after a welding process in order to seal the electrically switchable layer and at least one of the two electrode layers (28, 30) is interrupted by an insulation track (40), characterized bya first electrical contact region (44) in which the second carrier film (30) is cut out and the first carrier film (28) is free of the second carrier film (30) and the electrically switchable layer, and the second carrier film (30) is connected to the first carrier film (28) along its edges via a sealing material (51), wherein the weld seam (38) has an interruption and the contact region (44) is formed in the interruption. [2] Vehicle window according to claim 1, characterized by a second electrical contact region (48) in which the first carrier film (28) is cut out, the second carrier film (30) is free of the first carrier film (28) and the electrically switchable layer, and the first carrier film (28) is connected to the second carrier film (30) along its edges via a sealing material (51). [3] Vehicle window according to claim 1 or 2, characterized bythat the sealing material (51) is formed from a liquid adhesive. [4] Vehicle window according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized by that the insulation track (40) has a width between 5 µm and 5 mm. [5] Method for producing an electrically switchable arrangement of a vehicle window (16), comprising the following steps: - Providing a first carrier film (28) with a first electrode layer (32), a second carrier film (30) with a second electrode layer (34) and an electrically switchable layer for arrangement between the two electrode layers (32, 34); - producing an insulation track (40) on at least one of the two electrode layers (32, 34); and - joining the first carrier film (28) and the second carrier film (30) by applying an ultrasonic welding process, characterized bythat a first contact region (44) for electrically connecting the first electrode layer (32) to an electrical control device is produced by cutting out the second carrier film (30) and making the first carrier film (28) free from the second carrier film (30) and the electrically switchable layer in the cut-out region and connecting the second carrier film (30) to the first carrier film (28) at its cut edges via a sealing material (51), the contact region being formed in an interruption of the weld seam (38). [6] Method according to claim 5, characterized bythat a second contact region (48) for electrically connecting the second electrode layer (34) to an electrical control device is produced by cutting out the first carrier film (28) and making the second carrier film (30) free from the first carrier film (28) and the electrically switchable layer in the cut-out region and connecting the first carrier film (28) to the second carrier film (30) at its cut edges via a sealing material (51). [7] Method according to claim 5 or 6, characterized by that the insulation track (40) is formed by means of a mechanically operating tool and / or by means of a laser device. [8] Method according to one of claims 5 to 7, characterized by that the two carrier films (28, 30) are trimmed when joined by means of the ultrasonic welding process.

Citation Information

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