Vehicle window with light communication element

Abstract

The invention relates to a vehicle window (10) with a light communication element (20) arranged between the window elements (12, 14) of the vehicle window (10) for the optical transmission of information by means of light elements (24), wherein the light elements (24) can be individually controlled by means of a control unit (30).

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a vehicle window with a light communication element. Furthermore, the invention relates to a vehicle with such a vehicle window.

[0002] Modern vehicles are increasingly incorporating light communication elements to enable communication between the vehicle and its user. For example, light communication strips, i.e., strip-shaped light communication elements, are being installed in the dashboard or side doors. Such light communication elements can, for example, welcome the user to the vehicle, display the distance to another vehicle, or indicate the execution of an automatic driving function. Particularly with the increasing number of assistance functions in modern vehicles, there is a need for light functions that enable these functions to be visualized. Thus, lighting elements in the interior are gaining importance beyond ambient lighting as functional lighting.

[0003] In vehicles, light communication elements are currently located in the door panel or, for example, below the windshield in the dashboard. Light communication elements arranged in this way are often difficult to perceive because, due to their low-lying position, they can be at least partially obscured by the panel at certain viewing angles. Furthermore, known light communication elements, such as the aforementioned light communication strips, are usually only suitable for relatively simple information display.

[0004] The invention is based on the object of improving the visibility of the light communication element and the transmission of information.

[0005] The invention solves the problem by a window pane according to claim 1. Advantageous embodiments are the subject of the dependent claims, the description and the figures.

[0006] The invention relates to a vehicle window, comprising an inner window element and an outer window element and a light communication element arranged between the inner window element and the outer window element and incorporated in a carrier film for the optical transmission of information by means of light-emitting elements, wherein the light-emitting elements can be individually controlled by means of a control unit.

[0007] The arrangement of the light communication element, in particular a light communication strip, within the vehicle window improves the visibility of the light communication element. This allows light emitted by the lighting elements to better reach the vehicle user, i.e., the vehicle occupant(s). In particular, no trim parts obscure the light communication element, such as the door trim in the case of a vehicle window designed as a side window. The light communication element can be easily incorporated into the vehicle window, which can in particular be a laminated safety glass pane (LSG), during its manufacture, as will be explained below.The lighting elements are preferably arranged either within the vehicle window, for example incorporated into the carrier film as part of the light communication element, or at one end of the vehicle window, with light emitted by the lighting elements being coupled into the carrier film. The lighting elements are designed to be individually controlled via a control unit. The control unit, which can be part of the vehicle window, is therefore configured to control the lighting elements individually. This individual controllability enables the lighting elements to illuminate in any desired subgroups and thus the display of a variety of information carriers, for example the display of letters, numbers and / or symbols. This allows more information to be transmitted than with known light communication elements installed in vehicles.

[0008] The vehicle window according to the invention comprises at least two glass pane elements, with the light communication element arranged between the pane elements. The carrier film of the light communication element is transparent so that the view through the vehicle window is not impaired. The vehicle window is preferably a vehicle window made of laminated safety glass, as will be explained below. The light communication element is incorporated into the vehicle window during its manufacture. The vehicle window is, for example, a side window for installation in a vehicle door. The light communication element is preferably band-shaped, thus forming a light communication band. The light elements emit visible light, i.e. in particular in the wavelength range from 400 nm to 800 nm. The light elements are preferably light-emitting diodes, LEDs, for example mini or micro LEDs.The lighting elements can have a unipolar radiation pattern. The lighting elements can be powered by the vehicle's on-board electronics.

[0009] The light communication element communicates information to the vehicle user and / or other road users via the light elements. In other words, the light communication element is arranged and designed to transmit information to vehicle occupants and / or other road users. For this purpose, the light elements can be controlled individually via the control unit. In other words, not all light elements or subsets of the light elements necessarily light up together, but each light element can be illuminated individually via the control unit. By controlling several light elements via the control unit, several light elements can still be illuminated simultaneously. In particular, any subsets of the light elements can be controlled together. The control unit is therefore designed or configured to control the light elements individually.The control unit preferably forms part of the vehicle window, for example, part of a control module arranged below the vehicle window. The vehicle window therefore preferably comprises a control unit for controlling the lighting elements, wherein the control unit is designed to control the lighting elements individually. However, the control unit can also be formed by a control unit of the vehicle.

[0010] The placement of the light communication element within the vehicle windscreen improves its visibility from both inside and outside the vehicle. Individual control allows for information to be displayed beyond simply illuminating the light communication element. This improves the visibility of the light communication element and the transmission of information.

[0011] The lighting elements can be arranged either inside the vehicle window or to the side of the vehicle window, as mentioned.

[0012] In one embodiment, the lighting elements are arranged in or on the carrier film. The lighting elements, for example LEDs, are therefore preferably incorporated into the vehicle window. In this embodiment, the light communication element can be understood as being formed by the lighting elements. During production of the vehicle window, the lighting elements are, for example, incorporated into the carrier film, and the carrier film, together with the lighting elements, is laminated or cast between the window elements. The lighting elements can then be supplied with energy via electrical supply lines that also run in the vehicle window. The lighting elements arranged within the vehicle window can, for example, be arranged in the form of a (regular) grid. Light emitted by the lighting elements can thus reach the intended user's eye unhindered; in particular, the light is not shaded by any trim part of the vehicle.

[0013] In an alternative embodiment, the lighting elements are arranged at the ends of the vehicle window, preferably underneath the vehicle window. Arranged at the ends means an arrangement next to the vehicle window on one or more of the edges of the vehicle window. In this embodiment, the lighting elements are therefore not arranged within the vehicle window. In this embodiment, the vehicle window also comprises an input coupling optic for coupling the light emitted by the lighting elements into the carrier film and an output coupling optic for coupling the light out of the carrier film. The output coupling optic is in particular incorporated into the carrier film. In this embodiment, the light communication element can be understood as being formed by the output coupling optic. The input coupling optic can, for example, comprise a lens and / or a prism. The output coupling optic can be an interfering structure incorporated into the carrier film.The lighting elements are LEDs, for example, and are arranged to the side of the vehicle window in the form of one or more modules. In this design, the light emitted by the lighting elements is coupled into the carrier film and thus into the vehicle window via the coupling optics. The coupled light moves along the carrier film until it hits the coupling optics, from which it is coupled out of the carrier film, for example at a 90-degree angle. The light thus passes through the inner or outer window elements and thus out of the vehicle window. Light emitted by the lighting elements can thus reach the intended user's eye unhindered via the path through the carrier film; in particular, the light is not shaded by any trim part of the vehicle.

[0014] In one embodiment, the decoupling optics are formed by an interference structure incorporated into the carrier film. The interference structure can, for example, be a roughened surface. Such an interference structure can serve to completely and specifically decoupling the light emitted by the lighting elements from the carrier film and the vehicle window, thus improving the recognizability of the information transmitted via the light communication element.

[0015] In one embodiment, the vehicle window comprises a coating applied to the carrier film of the light communication element with a refractive index different from the refractive index of the window elements. The coating can therefore have a higher or lower refractive index than glass. The aforementioned interfering structure is preferably applied to the coating or incorporated into the coating. Such a coating improves the decoupling of the light emitted by the lighting elements from the vehicle window, particularly in combination with the aforementioned interfering structure, and thus improves the recognizability of the information transmitted via the light communication element.

[0016] In one embodiment, the lighting elements can be controlled by the control unit to display alphanumeric characters and / or symbols. In other words, the control unit is designed to control the lighting elements to display alphanumeric characters and / or symbols. The lighting elements are therefore designed accordingly. Numbers, letters and symbols can therefore be displayed using the lighting elements, which improves the transmission of information. In this way, vehicle occupants and other road users can be provided with more detailed information. The light communication element could display individual words or entire sentences, in particular scroll them through. For example, the word "Attention" could be displayed to inform the driver of a dangerous situation.

[0017] In one embodiment, the vehicle window is designed as a side window, a rear window, or a windshield of a vehicle. In other words, the vehicle window can be a side window, a rear window, or a windshield of a vehicle. For example, the vehicle window is a side window, with the light communication element preferably being incorporated into the side window at a lower end of the side window. At least when the side window is closed, the light communication element is preferably located just above the door trim so that the door trim does not cover the light communication element. When arranged in the side window, the light communication element is preferably designed to transmit information to vehicle occupants.When arranged in the rear window, the light communication element is preferably designed to transmit information to other road users, for example to display alphanumeric messages to a road user behind the vehicle.

[0018] In one embodiment, the vehicle window comprises a first composite film layer arranged between the inner pane element and the light communication element and / or a second composite film layer arranged between the outer pane element and the light communication element. The vehicle window can thus form laminated safety glass (LSG). The first composite film layer and / or the second composite film layer preferably consist of polyvinyl butyral (PVB) or ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA). The vehicle window can thus be particularly safe despite the incorporated light communication element. The arrangement of the light communication element between the composite film layers also leads to a particularly secure bond between the light communication element and the carrier film between the pane elements and represents a particularly simple method of production.

[0019] In one embodiment, the light communication element is encapsulated between the pane elements. In other words, the light communication element is placed between the pane elements, and then a encapsulating material is poured between the pane elements. After curing, the encapsulating material forms two encapsulating layers. Such encapsulation can be provided alternatively or in addition to the aforementioned composite film layers and allows for simple production of the vehicle window. Such encapsulation is particularly practical when the lighting elements are arranged below the vehicle window, since in this case only the carrier film with the interference structure is encapsulated.

[0020] In one embodiment, the vehicle window comprises a black print applied in the area of ​​the light communication element on the inside of the inner window element and / or on the inside of the outer window element. The black print is applied in the area of ​​the light communication element, i.e., applied so as to cover the light communication element. The black print can, for example, be applied in an edge area of ​​the respective window element. The black print can thus shade the light communication element on a side to which the light communication element is not intended to communicate. If, for example, the light communication element is intended to communicate with the vehicle interior, the black print can be located on the inside of the outer window element. This allows the light emitted by the lighting elements to radiate unhindered into the inside of the vehicle interior, but not outwards.Accordingly, the black print can be located on the inside of the inner window element if the light communication element is intended to communicate only outwards, i.e., to other road users, but not inwards. This allows the light elements to shine unhindered outwards, but is shaded inwards. In particular, a black print that is already provided can be used for this purpose, simplifying the production of the vehicle window.

[0021] In one embodiment, the vehicle window comprises a control module arranged at one end of the inner window element. The control module preferably comprises the control unit for controlling the lighting elements of the light communication element. The control module can also comprise further lighting technology, for example one or more prisms and / or lenses for coupling, should the lighting elements be arranged at the end of the vehicle window. If the vehicle window is designed as a side window, the control module can be height-adjustable with the side window. The control module preferably remains within the door panel even when the side window is completely closed. If lighting elements are arranged within the vehicle window, the control module is preferably connected to the lighting elements via electrical lines running between the window elements.

[0022] The invention also relates to a vehicle with a vehicle window according to the invention, as explained above. Explanations made regarding the vehicle window apply accordingly to the vehicle. The vehicle window is preferably a side window, a rear window, or a windshield of the vehicle, as explained. According to one embodiment, the vehicle comprises a control unit for controlling the lighting elements, wherein the control unit is designed to control the lighting elements individually. The control unit for controlling the lighting elements can therefore be a control unit of the vehicle, as already mentioned.

[0023] The various embodiments of the invention mentioned in this application can be advantageously combined with one another, unless stated otherwise in the individual case.

[0024] The invention is explained below in exemplary embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings. They show schematically: Fig. 1 a vehicle window according to the invention as a side window according to a first embodiment in a side view. Fig. 2 a cross-sectional view of the vehicle window from Fig. 1. Fig. 3 a vehicle window according to the invention as a side window according to a second embodiment in a side view. Fig. 4 a cross-sectional view of the vehicle window from Fig. 3.

[0025] Unless otherwise stated, the same reference symbols refer to the same items in the following.

[0026] Fig. 1 and Fig. 2 shows a vehicle window 10 according to the invention in a first embodiment as a side window for a vehicle (not shown). When installed in the vehicle, the vehicle window 10 is height-adjustable into and out of a door panel.

[0027] The vehicle window 10 comprises an inner window element 12 and an outer window element 14 as well as a band-shaped light communication element 20 arranged between the inner window element 12 and the outer window element 14, see Fig. 2. The light communication element 20 comprises a carrier film 22 with a plurality of light elements 24 designed as LEDs for emitting optical light into the vehicle interior (in Fig. 2 to the right) for transmitting information to the vehicle occupants. In this embodiment, the luminous elements 24 are thus incorporated into the carrier film 22 and thus into the vehicle window 10.

[0028] The vehicle window 10 further comprises a first composite film layer 16 arranged between the inner window element 12 and the light communication element 20, and a second composite film layer 18 arranged between the outer window element 14 and the light communication element 20. The composite film layers 16, 18 are, for example, PVB or EVA films. The vehicle window 10 is thus designed as laminated safety glass (LSG). Alternatively, a potting process can be used, as explained below.

[0029] In the area of ​​the light communication element 20, a black print 28 is applied to the inside of the outer pane element 14 to shade the light elements 24 from the outside (i.e. in Fig. 2 to the left). The light communication element 20 can thus, in the present embodiment, optically transmit information into the vehicle interior (i.e., into Fig. 2 to the right), while it is not or hardly visible from the outside.

[0030] A control module 30 is also arranged at the lower end of the inner pane element 12. The control module 30 comprises a control unit for controlling the lighting elements 24. The control module 30 is connected to the lighting elements 24 via electrical lines (not shown) running through the carrier film 22. The control unit is designed to control the lighting elements 24 individually. The lighting elements 24 can therefore be controlled individually. In particular, the control unit is designed to control the lighting elements 24 to display alphanumeric characters and symbols. In this way, information can be communicated from the vehicle to the vehicle occupants by means of the light communication element 20. For example, by appropriately controlling the lighting elements 24, a message concerning a traffic situation or a condition of the vehicle can be transmitted to the vehicle occupants in words.

[0031] The placement of the light elements 24 within the vehicle window 10 improves the visibility of the information transmitted by the light communication element 20 compared to known light communication elements arranged in the door panel. The individual controllability of the light elements 24 of the light communication element 20 allows the transmission of more detailed information, such as words, than with known light communication elements, which generally only illuminate in one color.

[0032] For the production of the vehicle window 10 of the Fig. 1 and Fig. 2, the pane elements 12, 14 are laminated with the respective composite film layers 16, 18 and the light communication element 20 is laminated between the composite film layers 16, 18.

[0033] Fig. 3 and Fig. 4 show a different configuration of a vehicle window 10, wherein here the lighting elements 24 are not arranged inside the vehicle window 10, but rather at the end below the vehicle window 10. The lighting elements 24 can be divided into one or more, for example into three modules, as in Fig. 3 can be seen.

[0034] A coupling optics 32, which may, for example, comprise a lens, is arranged between the lighting elements 24 and the vehicle window 10. In this embodiment, the carrier film 22 has an interference structure 26, which functions as an output optics. Light emitted by the lighting elements 24 is, as indicated by dashed arrows in Fig. 4, coupled into the carrier film 22 by the coupling optics 32, moves along the carrier film 22, and is coupled out of the carrier film 22 and thus out of the vehicle window 10 by the interference structure 26. In the embodiment shown, the interference structure 26 is designed such that the light is coupled out to the right and thus into a vehicle interior. The carrier film 22 together with the interference structure 26 forms the light communication element 20.

[0035] In this embodiment, composite foil layers 16, 18 can also be provided, as explained above. Fig. 4, however, instead of the composite film layers 16, 18, a potting layer forming two potting layers 40, 42 is provided. Subsequently, the carrier film 20 is placed between the pane elements 12, 14, and the space between them is filled with potting material, for example, polyurethane (PU). After the potting material has cured, the two transparent potting layers 40, 42 are formed.

[0036] It should be noted that in the Fig. 2 and Fig. 4 The individual layers are shown spaced apart only for clarity. In reality, neighboring layers naturally contact each other. List of reference symbols 10 vehicle window 12 inner disc element 14 outer disc element 16 first composite film layer 18 second composite film layer 20 light communication element 22 Carrier film 24 lighting elements 26 Disturbance structure 28 Black print 30 Control module 32 coupling optics 40 casting layer 42 potting layer

Claims

[1] Vehicle window (10), comprising an inner window element (12) and an outer window element (14) and a light communication element (20) arranged between the inner window element (12) and the outer window element (14) and introduced into a carrier film (22) for the optical transmission of information by means of light elements (24), wherein the light elements (24) can be individually controlled by means of a control unit (30). [2] Vehicle window (10) according to claim 1, wherein the luminous elements (24) are arranged in or on the carrier film (22). [3] Vehicle window (10) according to claim 1, wherein the luminous elements (24) are arranged at the end of the vehicle window (10), further comprising an input coupling optic (32) for coupling the light emitted by the luminous elements (24) into the carrier film (22) and an output coupling optic (26) for coupling the light out of the carrier film (22). [4] Vehicle window (10) according to claim 3, wherein the coupling-out optics is formed by an interference structure (26) introduced into the carrier film (22). [5] Vehicle window (10) according to one of the preceding claims, further comprising a coating applied to the carrier film (22) with a refractive index different from the refractive index of the window elements (12, 14). [6] Vehicle window (10) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the lighting elements (24) can be controlled by means of the control unit (30) to display alphanumeric characters and / or symbols. [7] Vehicle window (10) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the vehicle window (10) is designed as a side window, a rear window or a front window of a vehicle. [8] Vehicle window (10) according to one of the preceding claims, further comprising a first composite film layer (16) arranged between the inner window element (12) and the light communication element (20) and / or a second composite film layer (18) arranged between the outer window element (14) and the light communication element (20). [9] Vehicle window (10) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the light communication element (20) is cast between the window elements. [10] Vehicle window (10) according to one of the preceding claims, further comprising a black print (28) applied in the region of the light communication element (20) to the inside of the inner window element (12) and / or to the inside of the outer window element (14). [11] Vehicle window (10) according to one of the preceding claims, further comprising a control module (30) arranged at a lower end of the inner window element (12). [12] Vehicle with a vehicle window (10) according to one of the preceding claims. [13] Vehicle according to claim 12, wherein the vehicle window (10) is a side window, a rear window or a front window of the vehicle. [14] Vehicle according to claim 12 or 13, comprising a control unit for controlling the lighting elements (24), wherein the control unit is designed to control the lighting elements (24) individually.

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