Vehicle windows with light-emitting structure

Abstract

Vehicle window in the form of a rear window (40) or a front windshield (30) of a vehicle (10), comprising: a first glass layer (151) and a second glass layer (159); and a light-emitting arrangement (100), comprising: a light-emitting element unit (110) configured to emit light from a light-emitting surface (113); and a reflector (121) with a reflective surface (123) opposite the light-emitting surface (113) and configured to reflect light from the light-emitting element unit (110); wherein the light-emitting element unit (110) and the reflector (121) are arranged between the first glass layer (151) and the second glass layer (159).

Description

IntroductionThe present invention relates to vehicles, and more particularly to a vehicle window having a light emitting structure.For background information, reference is made at this point beforehand to the publications DE 20 44 944 A, DE 10 17 556 A and DE 10 73 881 A, from which lamp and headlight arrangements for vehicles with lighting means and reflectors are disclosed.SummaryAccording to the invention, a vehicle window is presented which is distinguished by the features of claim 1.In addition to one or more of the features described herein, the vehicle defines a longitudinal axis, the light emitting assembly forms a first angle θ with the longitudinal axis, and the reflective surface is configured to reflect at least some light from the light emitting element unit in a direction along the longitudinal axis.In addition to one or more of the features described herein, the vehicle window further includes a base plate on which the reflector is disposed, wherein the reflective surface forms a second angle α with the base plate, and wherein the reflector is structured such that the second angle α satisfies an equation α=90°-θ / 2.In addition to one or more of the features described herein, the vehicle window further includes an electrode electrically connected to the light emitting element unit and configured to provide power to the light emitting element unit, the reflector disposed on the electrode.In addition to one or more of the features described herein, the vehicle window further includes a first electrode extending in a first direction and a second electrode extending in a second direction different from the first direction, the reflector disposed on the first electrode or the second electrode.In addition to one or more of the features described herein, the vehicle window further includes a collimator disposed between the light emitting element unit and the reflective surface of the reflector and configured to converge the light emitted from the light emitting element unit toward the reflective surface.In addition to one or more of the features described herein, the light emitting element unit is arranged on an integrated circuit.In addition to one or more of the features described herein, the vehicle window further includes an electrode on which the reflector is disposed, an insulating layer on which the light emitting element unit and the electrode are disposed, and a connector, which connects the light emitting element unit and the electrode, disposed in the insulating layer.In addition to one or more of the features described herein, the vehicle window further comprises a base plate having a mounting surface on which the light emitting element unit is disposed, wherein the reflector is a reflective layer disposed on a mounting surface of the base plate.Further, a light emitting arrangement is described as such configured to be disposed in a vehicle window of a vehicle. The light emitting assembly includes a light emitting element package configured to emit light from a light emitting surface and a reflector having a reflection surface that faces the light emitting surface and configured to reflect light from the light emitting element package.In addition to one or more of the features described herein, the vehicle defines a longitudinal axis, the light emitting assembly forms a first angle θ with the longitudinal axis, and the reflective surface is configured to reflect at least some light from the light emitting element unit in a direction along the longitudinal axis.In addition to one or more of the features described herein, the light emitting arrangement further comprises a base plate on which the reflector is arranged, wherein the reflection surface forms a second angle α with the base plate and wherein the reflector is structured such that the second angle α satisfies an equation α=90°-θ / 2.In addition to one or more of the features described herein, the light emitting arrangement further comprises an electrode electrically connected to the light emitting element unit and configured to supply power to the light emitting element unit, wherein the reflector is arranged on the electrode.In addition to one or more of the features described herein, the light emitting arrangement further comprises a first electrode extending in a first direction and a second electrode extending in a second direction different from the first direction, wherein the reflector is arranged on the first electrode or the second electrode.In addition to one or more of the features described herein, the light emitting arrangement further comprises a collimator disposed between the light emitting element unit and the reflective surface of the reflector and configured to converge the light emitted by the light emitting element unit toward the reflective surface.In addition to one or more of the features described herein, the light emitting element unit is arranged on an integrated circuit.In addition to one or more of the features described herein, the light emitting arrangement further comprises an electrode on which the reflector is arranged, an insulating layer on which the light emitting element unit and the electrode are arranged, and a connector arranged in the insulating layer, which connects the light emitting element unit and the electrode.In addition to one or more of the features described herein, the light emitting arrangement further comprises a base plate having a mounting surface on which the light emitting element unit is arranged, wherein the reflector is a reflective layer arranged on a mounting surface of the base plate.Further, a vehicle will be described. The vehicle defining a longitudinal axis and a forward direction and a rearward direction along the longitudinal axis has a vehicle window including a light emitting assembly, the light emitting assembly comprising a light emitting element unit configured to emit light from a light emitting surface, an electrode electrically connected to the light emitting element unit and configured to supply power to the light emitting element unit, a reflector disposed on the electrode and having a reflective surface opposite the light emitting surface and configured to reflect light from the light emitting element unit, and a base plate on which the reflector is disposed, the light emitting assembly forming a first angle θ with the longitudinal axis, the reflective surface configured to:, reflecting at least some light from the light emitting element unit in a direction along the longitudinal axis, wherein the reflecting surface forms a second angle α with the base plate, and wherein the reflector is structured such that the second angle α satisfies an equation α=90°-θ / 2.The above features and advantages, as well as other features and advantages of the invention, will be readily apparent from the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.Brief Description of the DrawingsOther features, advantages and details appear, by way of example only, in the following detailed description, with the detailed description referring to the drawings, in which: FIG. 1 is a side perspective view of a vehicle having a first light emitting structure according to one or more embodiments; FIG. 2 is a rear perspective view of a vehicle having a second light emitting structure according to one or more embodiments; FIG. 3 is a side view of a front windshield with a first light emitting structure, according to one or more embodiments; FIG. 4 is a side view of a rear window including a second light emitting structure according to one or more embodiments; FIG. 5 is a schematic orthogonal view of a light emitting arrangement according to one or more embodiments; FIG. 6 is a schematic side cross-sectional view of the light emitting assembly taken at 6-6 in FIG. 5 ; FIG. 7 is a schematic side cross-sectional view of a light emitting arrangement according to one or more embodiments; FIG. 8 is a schematic orthogonal view of a light emitting arrangement according to one or more embodiments; FIG. 8A shows a schematic cross-sectional view of the light emitting arrangement taken at 8A- 8A in FIG. 8 ; FIG. 8B shows a schematic cross-sectional view of the light emitting arrangement taken at 8B- 8B in FIG. 8 ; FIG. 9 is a schematic orthogonal view of a light emitting arrangement according to one or more embodiments; FIG. 10 is a schematic side cross-sectional view of a light emitting arrangement according to one or more embodiments; FIG. 11 is a schematic side cross-sectional view of a light emitting arrangement according to one or more embodiments; FIG. 12 is a schematic side cross-sectional view of a light emitting arrangement according to one or more embodiments; FIG. 13 is a schematic side cross-sectional view of a light emitting arrangement according to one or more embodiments; FIG. 14 is a schematic side cross-sectional view of a light emitting arrangement according to one or more embodiments; FIG. 15 shows a schematic orthogonal view of a light emitting arrangement according to one or more embodiments; and FIG. 15A shows a schematic cross-sectional view of the light emitting arrangement taken at 15A- 15A.Detailed DescriptionThe following description is merely exemplary in nature. It should be understood that in the drawings, corresponding reference numerals designate like or corresponding parts and features.FIG. 1 shows a vehicle 10 according to an example. The vehicle 10 extends along a longitudinal axis AxL and defines a forward direction F and a rearward direction R along the longitudinal axis AxL. The vehicle 10 includes a vehicle body 12 supported on a plurality of wheels 16. One or more of the plurality of wheels 16 may be steerable via the steering wheel 23. The vehicle body 12 further partially defines a prime mover compartment 14 in which a prime mover is housed. The prime mover may be, for example, an internal combustion engine, an engine, or both an internal combustion engine and a motor in a hybrid configuration. The vehicle body 12 may further include a front door 18 and a rear door 19. A front windshield 30 is disposed in front of the passenger compartment 20. The front windshield 30 may include a first light emitting structure 31. The first light emitting structure 31 may be, for example, a head-up display (HUD) that radiates toward the passenger compartment 20, or other types of lighting apparatus that radiates toward the passenger compartment 20. Alternatively, the first light emitting structure 31 may be a type of lighting device radiating away from the passenger compartment 20. The front windshield 30 may be an example of a vehicle window.FIG. 2 shows a rear perspective view of a vehicle 10 according to an example. As shown in FIG. 2, the vehicle 10 may further include a rear window 40, a pair of front side windows 50, and a pair of rear side windows 60. The rear window 40 may include a second light emitting structure 41. The second light emitting structure 41 may be, for example, a functional lighting device, an information display, or a decorative display. The second light emitting structure 41 may function as, for example, a tail lamp, a stop lamp, a turn signal, or other rearward-radiating types of lights for the vehicle 10. The rear window 40 may be an example of a vehicle window.FIG. 3 shows a side sectional view of a front windshield 30 with a first light emitting structure 31 according to one or more embodiments. The first light emitting structure 31 forms an angle θf with the longitudinal axis AxL of the vehicle 10. The first light emitting structure 31 may be structured to emit light 101 fin a rearward direction R of the vehicle 10 toward the passenger compartment 20. The angle θf may be an example of a first angle θ.FIG. 4 shows a side sectional view of a rear window 40 with a second light emitting structure 41 according to one or more embodiments. The second light emitting structure 41 forms an angle θr with the longitudinal axis AxL of the vehicle 10. The second light emitting structure 41 may be structured to emit rearward light 101 rin a rearward direction R of the vehicle 10. The angle θr may be an example of a first angle θ.FIG. 5 shows a schematic orthogonal view of a light emitting arrangement 100 according to one or more embodiments. The light-emitting arrangement 100 may be part of the first light-emitting structure 31 or the second light-emitting structure 41. As part of the first light emitting structure 31, the light emitting arrangement 100 may face in the rear direction R of the vehicle 10 (see FIGS. 1 and 3 ). As part of the second light emitting structure 41, the light emitting assembly 100 may face in the rear direction R of the vehicle (see FIGS. 2 and 4 ). FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the light emitting element taken at 6-6 in FIG. 5. The light emitting arrangement 100 includes a base plate 130 on which light emitting element units 110 and electrodes 120 are mounted. A connector 125 may electrically connect the light emitting element unit 110 to the electrode 120. The electrodes 120 may supply power to the light emitting element units 110. The base plate 130 may be, for example, a thin film transistor backplane. The thin film transistor backplane may be installed on an underlying substrate.As shown in FIG. 5, one or more of the electrodes 120 may electrically connect a plurality of light emitting element units 110. The light emitting element unit 110 may include one or more light emitting elements 119 (see FIG. 8 ). The light emitting element(s) 119(s) may be, for example, a micro light emitting diode(s) (i.e., micro LED(s)). The light emitting element unit 110 may be formed of a single light emitting element 119. Each of the light emitting element units 110 may include a main body 111 having a first light emitting surface 113 and a second light emitting surface 114. Although FIG. 6 shows the light emitting element unit 110 having a first light emitting surface 113 and a second light emitting surface 114, the light emitting element unit 110 may include only the first light emitting surface 113 according to one or more embodiments. According to one or more embodiments, the light emitting elements 119 may be disposed on the top surface of the light emitting element unit 110.The electrode 120 may include a reflector 121 at least in a portion facing a light emitting element unit 110. That is, the reflector 121 may be formed or coated on at least a portion of the electrode 120 facing a light emitting element unit 110. Alternatively, the reflector 121 may be formed along an entire length of the electrode 120. As an example, the reflector 121 may be formed by depositing a metal layer on the electrode 120 or by removing a metal layer from the electrode 120.The reflector 121 of the electrode 120 may have a reflection surface 123 that faces the first light emitting surface 113 of the light emitting element unit 110 to which the electrode 120 is connected via the connector 125. The second light emitting surface 114 of the light emitting element unit 110 faces away from the reflection surface 123.As shown in FIG. 6, the base plate 130 may include a mounting surface 131 on which the light emitting element unit 110 and the electrode 120 are mounted. The connector 125 may be mounted on or formed in the base plate 130. The light emitting element unit 110, the electrode 120, and / or the connector 125 may be directly or indirectly mounted on the mounting surface 131 of the base plate 130. The reflection surface 123 may be inclined with respect to the mounting surface 131 of the base plate 130 to form an acute angle α with the mounting surface 131. The acute angle α may be an example of a second angle.FIG. 7 shows a schematic cross-sectional view of a second light-emitting structure 41 comprising a light-emitting arrangement 100 according to one or more embodiments. Although the light emitting assembly 100 shown in FIG. 7 is configured to be part of a second light emitting structure 41 of a rear window 40 (see FIGS. 2 and 4 ), such a structure may be arranged on a first light emitting structure 31 of a front windshield 30 (see FIGS. 1 and 3 ) by rotating (i.e., inverting) the light emitting assembly 100. The light emitting arrangement 100 may be arranged between a first glass layer 151 and a second glass layer 159. The light emitting assembly 100 may be further embedded between one or more support layers 153, 155, 157 that provide rigidity to prevent excessive deformation that could damage components of the light emitting assembly 100.As shown in FIG. 7, the second light emitting structure 41 forms an angle θr with the longitudinal axis AxL, and the reflective surface 123 of the reflector 121 forms an acute angle α with the mounting surface 131 of the base plate 130. According to one or more embodiments, the reflector 121 may be structured such that the acute angle α satisfies the equation α=90°-θr / 2. If the light emitting arrangement 100 is part of a first light emitting structure 31 of a front windshield 30 (see FIGS. 1 and 3 ), the reflector 121 may be structured such that the acute angle α satisfies the equation α=90°-θf / 2, according to one or more embodiments. Light 101 dmitted from the first light emitting surface 113 of the light emitting element unit 110 may be reflected by the reflection surface 123 in a rearward direction R, so that the light emitting assembly 100 may emit rearward light 101 r.FIG. 8 shows a schematic orthogonal view of a light emitting arrangement 100 according to one or more embodiments. The light emitting arrangement 100 in FIG. 8 comprises a base plate 130 on which a light emitting element unit 110 comprising a plurality of light emitting elements 119 and electrodes 120 may be arranged in a similar manner to one or more of the above embodiments. The light emitting arrangement 100 may further include additional electrodes 220. The additional electrodes 220 may extend in a direction different from the electrodes 120. The additional electrodes 220 may extend orthogonally to the electrodes 120. A connector 125 may extend between the light emitting element unit 110 and the electrode 120, and an additional connector 225 may extend between the light emitting element unit 110 and the additional electrode 220.FIG. 8A shows a schematic cross-sectional view of the light emitting arrangement 100 taken at 8A- 8A in FIG. 8, and FIG. 8B shows a schematic cross-sectional view of the light emitting arrangement 100 taken at 8B- 8B in FIG. 8. The electrodes 120 may include reflectors 121 as shown in FIG. 8A and / or the additional electrodes 220 may include reflectors 221 as shown in FIG. 8B. The electrodes 120 may include reflectors 223 aat a portion facing the light emitting element unit 110. The additional electrodes 220 may include reflectors 223 bat a portion facing the light emitting element unit 110. According to one or more embodiments, the reflectors 221 may be formed on the additional electrodes 220, but not on the electrodes 120. The electrodes 120 may be an example of first electrodes extending in a first direction; the reflector 121 may be an example of first reflectors. The additional electrodes 220 may be an example of second electrodes extending in a second direction. The reflectors 221 may be an example of second reflectors.The base plate 130 may include an insulating layer 170 and a second electrode layer 218 for connection to the electrode 120 below the insulating layer 170 for the portion of the light emitting arrangement 100 shown in FIG. 8A. The base plate 130 may include the insulating layer 170 and a first electrode layer 118 for connection to the additional electrode 220 under the insulating layer 170 for the portion of the light emitting arrangement 100 shown in FIG. 8B.FIGS. 9 and 10 show schematic orthogonal and side cross-sectional views of a light emitting arrangement 100 according to one or more embodiments. Although the light emitting assembly 100 shown in FIGS. 9 and 10 is configured to be part of a second light emitting structure 41 of a rear window 40 (see FIGS. 2 and 4 ), such a structure may be arranged on a first light emitting structure 31 of a front windshield 30 (see FIGS. 1 and 3 ) by rotating (i.e., inverting) the light emitting assembly 100. As shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, the light emitting assembly 100 may include collimators 160 optically coupled to the light emitting element units 110. The collimator 160 may be structured to converge the light emitted from the light emitting element unit 110 to which it is coupled and to emit the converged light toward the reflector 121. Thus, the collimator 160 can improve the optical efficiency of the light emitting element units 110.FIG. 11 shows a schematic cross-sectional view of a light emitting arrangement 100 according to one or more embodiments. Although the light emitting assembly 100 shown in FIG. 11 is configured to be part of a second light emitting structure 41 of a rear window 40 (see FIGS. 2 and 4 ), such a structure may be arranged on a first light emitting structure 31 of a front windshield 30 (see FIGS. 1 and 3 ) by rotating (i.e., inverting) the light emitting assembly 100. As shown in FIG. 11, the light emitting assembly 100 may include an integrated circuit 175 integrated with the light emitting element unit 110. The integrated circuit 175 may replace the base plate 130. Although in one or more of the above embodiments, a thin film transistor backplane of the base plate 130 may drive the light emitting element unit 110, the light emitting arrangement 100 shown in FIG. 11 may instead use the integrated circuit 175 to drive the light emitting element unit 110. Incorporating an integrated circuit 175 into the light emitting element unit 110 may allow the light emitting element unit 110 to be installed on electrical bus lines printed directly on or into the first glass layer 151. Thus, a structure of the light emitting device 100 can be simplified. In addition, the production of the light-emitting arrangement 100 can be simplified.FIG. 12 shows a schematic cross-sectional view of a light emitting arrangement 100 according to one or more embodiments. Although the light emitting assembly 100 shown in FIG. 12 is configured to be part of a second light emitting structure 41 of a rear window 40 (see FIGS. 2 and 4 ), such a structure may be arranged on a first light emitting structure 31 of a front windshield 30 (see FIGS. 1 and 3 ) by rotating (i.e., tilting) the light emitting assembly 100. As mentioned above, the front windshield 30 and / or the rear window 40 may have curved portions. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 12, if the base plate 130 is disposed at the curved portions, slopes of the base plate 130 with respect to the longitudinal axis AxL may be different at the positions of the base plate 130 at which the light emitting element units 110 and the reflectors 121 are disposed. According to one or more embodiments, the light emitting arrangement 100 may include differently shaped reflectors 121, such that an acute angle α formed between a reflection surface 123 of the reflector 121 and the mounting surface 131 of the base plate 130 may be different for the different reflectors 121. According to one or more embodiments, the reflectors 121 may be structured such that the acute angles α at each location satisfy the equation α=90°-θr / 2 if disposed on a rear window 40 (see FIGS. 2, 4, and 7 ) or the equation α=90°-θf / 2 if disposed on a front windshield 30 (see FIGS. 1 and 3 ).FIG. 13 shows a schematic cross-sectional view of a light emitting arrangement 100 according to one or more embodiments. The base plate 130 may include an insulating layer 170 below the light emitting element unit 110 and the reflector 121 of the electrode 120. The connector 125 may be embedded within the insulating layer 170 and extend between the light emitting element unit 110 and the electrode 120.FIG. 14 shows a schematic cross-sectional view of a light emitting arrangement 100 according to one or more embodiments. Although the light emitting assembly 100 illustrated in FIG. 14 is configured to be part of a second light emitting structure 41 of a rear window 40 (see FIGS. 2 and 4 ), such a structure may be arranged on a first light emitting structure 31 of a front windshield 30 (see FIGS. 1 and 3 ) by rotating (i.e., turning) the light emitting assembly 100. The light emitting assembly 100 may include a base plate 130 having light emitting element units 110 and reflective layers 180 disposed on the mounting surface 131 thereof. The light emitting element units 110 have a light emitting surface 114 configured to emit light toward a reflective surface 181 of the reflective layer 180. The reflective surface 181 is structured to reflect the light emitted from the light emitting surface 114 in a rearward direction R of the vehicle 10 as rearward light 101 r.FIG. 15 shows a schematic orthogonal view of a light emitting arrangement 100 according to one or more embodiments, and FIG. 15A shows a schematic cross-sectional view of the light emitting arrangement 100 taken at 15A- 15A. The light emitting device 100 shown in FIGS. 15 and 15A is similar to that shown in FIGS. 5-6, but further includes a color conversion material 191 covering the light emitting element unit 110 on the base plate 130. The color conversion material 191 may also cover at least a portion of the reflection surface 123 of the reflector 121. The color conversion material 191 may convert a color of the light from the light emitting element unit 110. A stiffening structure 190 may surround at least a portion of the color conversion material 191. The stiffener 190 may provide rigidity to the light emitting element unit 110 and / or the color conversion material 191 to reduce or prevent deformation.A light emitting assembly 100 according to one or more embodiments may be incorporated into a front windshield 30 or a rear window 40 and may eliminate the need to place some lighting systems in a vehicle body 12 of the vehicle 10.A light emitting arrangement 100 according to one or more embodiments comprises reflectors 121 arranged on electrodes 120. The reflectors 121 may redirect light from the light emitting element units 110 in a desired direction to improve the lighting efficiency of the light emitting assembly 100, while the reflectors 121 disposed on the electrodes 120 may avoid or minimize the stress of additional space of the light emitting assembly 100 by the reflectors 121. Moreover, by increasing the lighting efficiency of the light emitting assembly 100, less power is required for the light emitting element units 110, so that a width of the electrode 120 can be reduced to achieve similar brightness in a desired illumination range.

Claims

A vehicle window in the form of a rear window (40) or a front windshield (30) of a vehicle (10), comprising: a first glass layer (151) and a second glass layer (159); and a light emitting assembly (100) comprising: a light emitting element unit (110) configured to emit light from a light emitting surface (113); and a reflector (121) having a reflecting surface (123) opposite to the light emitting surface (113) and configured to reflect light from the light emitting element unit (110); wherein the light emitting element unit (110) and the reflector (121) are arranged between the first glass layer (151) and the second glass layer (159).The vehicle window of claim 1, wherein the vehicle (10) defines a longitudinal axis (AxL), wherein the light emitting assembly (100) forms a first angle θ with the longitudinal axis (AxL), and wherein the reflective surface (123) is configured to reflect at least some light from the light emitting element unit (110) in a direction along the longitudinal axis (AxL).The vehicle window according to claim 2, further comprising: a base plate (130) on which the reflector (121) is disposed, wherein the reflection surface (123) forms a second angle α with the base plate (130), and wherein the reflector (121) is structured such that the second angle α satisfies an equation α = 90° - θ / 2.The vehicle window according to claim 1, further comprising: an electrode (120) electrically connected to the light emitting element unit (110) and configured to supply power to the light emitting element unit (110), wherein the reflector (121) is disposed on the electrode (120).The vehicle window according to claim 1, further comprising: a first electrode (120) extending in a first direction, a second electrode (220) extending in a second direction different from the first direction, and wherein the reflector (121) is disposed on the first electrode (120) or the second electrode (220).The vehicle window according to claim 1, further comprising a collimator (160) disposed between the light emitting element unit (110) and the reflection surface (123) of the reflector (121), configured to converge the light emitted from the light emitting element unit (110) toward the reflection surface (123).The vehicle window according to claim 1, wherein the light emitting element unit (110) is disposed on an integrated circuit (175).The vehicle window according to claim 1, further comprising: an electrode (120) on which the reflector (121) is disposed, an insulating layer (170) on which the light emitting element unit (110) and the electrode (120) are disposed, and a connector (125), which connects the light emitting element unit (110) and the electrode (120), disposed in the insulating layer (170).The vehicle window according to claim 1, further comprising: a base plate (130) having a mounting surface (131) on which the light emitting element unit (110) is disposed, wherein the reflector (121) is a reflective layer disposed on a mounting surface (131) of the base plate (130).

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