System comprising a composite window for a motor vehicle and a control unit

Abstract

System comprising a composite pane (1) for a motor vehicle and a control unit (7), wherein the composite pane (1) comprises an outer pane (2), an inner pane (4) and a connecting structure, wherein the connecting structure is arranged between the outer pane (2) and the inner pane (4) and comprises a thermoplastic connecting layer (3), wherein the outer pane (2) and the inner pane (4) are connected to one another via the connecting layer (3), characterized in that the connecting structure comprises an electronic component (5) which is designed to be caused to explode by an electrical current output by the control unit (7).

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a system according to claim 1 with a composite pane for a motor vehicle and a control unit.

[0002] In recent decades, pedestrian protection in pedestrian-vehicle collisions has gained increasing importance worldwide. In such collisions, the head and lower extremities are the two body regions most likely to be injured in an adult pedestrian. Compared to the lower extremities, head injuries are more often fatal. In an impact, the head of an adult pedestrian typically strikes the windshield, which is the leading cause of severe head injuries.

[0003] It is known from the prior art to cushion the impact of a pedestrian. US 2010 300 792 A1 discloses an airbag device for pedestrian protection, which is arranged under the rear part of a hood and near a windshield of a motor vehicle. The airbag device comprises an inflator, an airbag, a receptacle, and an air guide tube. The airbag consists of a main bag part with a plurality of air chambers. The receptacle, which is attached under the rear part of the hood, serves to accommodate the airbag with a guide opening. The air guide tube is connected to the inflator and arranged inside the airbag. The air guide tube has a peripheral surface on which a plurality of flow distribution holes corresponding to the air spaces are formed.This allows the air supplied by the inflator to flow into the air bag through the flow distribution holes, so that the air bag protrudes from the guide opening of the receiver to the windshield and covers the windshield and two pillars adjacent to the windshield.

[0004] In contrast, the present invention is based on the object of creating a less complex system for reducing the risk of serious injuries in a collision between a motor vehicle and a person. Furthermore, a motor vehicle with such a system and a method for controlling such a system are to be created.

[0005] This object is achieved by a system according to claim 1, a motor vehicle according to claim 10, and a method according to claim 11. Embodiments of the invention are specified in the dependent claims.

[0006] The composite pane comprises an outer pane, an inner pane, and a connecting structure. The connecting structure is arranged between the outer pane and the inner pane and comprises a thermoplastic connecting layer. It is particularly possible for the connecting structure to be arranged exclusively between the outer pane and the inner pane. This can mean, in particular, that no component or element of the connecting structure protrudes beyond the outer pane or the inner pane. The outer pane and the inner pane are connected to one another, in particular by a material bond, via the connecting layer.

[0007] The bonding layer can be based, for example, on polyvinyl butyral (PVB), ethylene-vinyl acetate (EVA), or polyurethane (PU), or on mixtures or copolymers or derivatives thereof, particularly preferably on PVB. This means that the bonding layer can largely contain the said polymer (a proportion greater than 50 wt%). In addition to the polymer, the bonding layer can contain further additives, for example, plasticizers, UV absorbers, or stabilizers. The thickness of the bonding layer is preferably between 0.2 mm and 2 mm. For example, the bonding layer can comprise one or more PVB films with standard thicknesses of 0.38 mm or 0.76 mm.

[0008] The outer pane and the inner pane are preferably glass panes, particularly preferably made of soda-lime glass, as is common for window panes. However, one or both of the panes can also be made of other types of glass, such as quartz glass, borosilicate glass, or aluminosilicate glass, or of rigid, clear plastics, such as polycarbonate or polymethyl methacrylate. The thicknesses of the outer pane and the inner pane, independently of one another, are preferably between 0.5 mm and 5 mm, particularly preferably between 1 mm and 3 mm.

[0009] The connecting structure comprises an electronic component designed to explode by an electrical current output by the control unit. In this context, an explosion is understood, in particular, to include an explosion caused by overheating of the electronic component. The energy released during the explosion is less important than the fact that the electronic component heats up and expands suddenly within a very short period of time. The electronic component is often destroyed in the explosion, but this is not necessarily the case.

[0010] The explosion damages the inner pane and / or the outer pane. This is particularly advantageous if the explosion is triggered shortly before a person impacts the laminated pane and the electronic component is located in an area where the person's impact is expected. In this case, the laminated pane is mechanically weakened by the damage to the inner pane and / or the outer pane, so that it offers less mechanical resistance when the person impacts. This reduces the risk of serious injury to the person on impact. The inner pane and / or the outer pane is further damaged by the impact. It can give way completely and thus convert at least some of the impact energy into work that deforms or even destroys the laminated pane. The work acting on the person on impact is thus reduced compared to a laminated pane that does not give way on impact.

[0011] According to one embodiment of the invention, the electronic component can be designed to damage the inner pane and / or the outer pane through the explosion. This can mean, in particular, that the electronic component is designed to cause a crack in the inner pane and / or the outer pane. It is particularly advantageous if the electronic component is designed only to cause a crack and not to destroy the inner pane and / or the outer pane. In this case, the impact energy can be converted into work that deforms and / or destroys the composite pane.

[0012] According to one embodiment of the invention, an opaque masking strip can be arranged on the outer pane and / or on the inner pane. It is particularly possible for the masking strip to be black. The masking strip can cover the electronic component. In the context of this description, this is understood in particular to mean that the electronic component is not visible from outside the motor vehicle and / or from inside the motor vehicle when the system is used as intended. It is particularly advantageous if the masking strip is arranged on the outer pane, as it then protects the electronic component from direct sunlight and thus ensures reliable function of the system without impairment by sunlight.

[0013] According to one embodiment of the invention, the electronic component may comprise a thyristor. It is also possible for the electronic component to be a thyristor. This is a particularly cost-effective way to implement the electronic component.

[0014] According to one embodiment of the invention, the electronic component can comprise a surface-mounted device (SMD). It is particularly possible for the electronic component to be a surface-mounted component. Surface-mounted components do not have wire connections, but are soldered directly onto a circuit board using solderable connection pads or leads. It is particularly possible for the electronic component to be an electro-pyrotechnic initiator chip (MEPIC).

[0015] According to one embodiment of the invention, the electronic component can comprise a thin-film resistor. This is also a favorable option for implementing the electronic component.

[0016] According to one embodiment of the invention, the electronic component can be arranged in a lower region of the composite pane. However, it should be noted that the electronic component should not be arranged directly at the edge of the composite pane, so that the energy released during the explosion can damage the inner pane and / or the outer pane and cannot escape to the outside without damaging the inner pane and / or the outer pane.

[0017] According to one embodiment of the invention, the control unit can be arranged remotely from the composite pane. For the purposes of this description, this particularly means that the control unit is not in direct contact with the composite pane.

[0018] According to one embodiment of the invention, the system can comprise a camera. The camera can be configured to record image data and output it to the control unit. The image data can in particular comprise individual images or videos. The control unit can be configured to determine from the image data whether a person is about to impact the composite pane. The control unit can also be configured to output the current to the electronic component if an impact is imminent. In particular, it is possible for the control unit to be configured to output the current to the electronic component only if an impact is imminent. The detection of an impending impact thus triggers the output of the current.

[0019] This design is particularly advantageous because the composite pane is damaged in the event of a collision with the person. However, if an object such as a stone strikes the composite pane, it is not damaged by the explosion of the electronic component, thus offering high mechanical resistance to the stone and protecting the person(s) in the vehicle.

[0020] The motor vehicle according to claim 10 comprises a system according to an embodiment of the invention. The composite pane is a windshield of the motor vehicle.

[0021] The method according to claim 11 comprises detecting an imminent impact of the person on the composite pane and transmitting an electric current from the control unit to the electronic component. The output is triggered by detecting the imminent impact. The electric current triggers an explosion of the electronic component. The explosion damages the outer pane and / or the inner pane. The damage can, in particular, be caused by a crack.

[0022] Further features and advantages of the present invention will become clear from the following description of a preferred embodiment with reference to the accompanying drawing. Fig. 1 is a schematic sectional view of a system according to an embodiment of the invention.

[0023] The composite pane 1 comprises an outer pane 2, an inner pane 4, and a connecting structure with a connecting layer 3 and an electronic component 5. The electronic component 5 can be designed, in particular, as a surface-mounted component. The electronic component is connected to a control unit 7 via an electrical connection 6. The electrical connection 6 can comprise cables and / or flat connectors attached to the inner pane.

[0024] On the surface of the outer pane 2 facing the connection structure, a masking strip 8 is arranged, which covers the electronic component 5 and the electrical connection 6. The electronic component 5 is therefore not visible from outside the motor vehicle, at least not at a cursory glance. From inside the motor vehicle, the electronic component 5 is also not visible at a cursory glance, since the masking strip 8 prevents a view through the pane over the entire area in which it is arranged. Preferably, the masking strip 8 is arranged across the entire width of the outer pane 2. The masking strip 8 is preferably black and is printed on the outer pane 2.

[0025] The connecting layer 3 is made of a thermoplastic material and preferably comprises polyvinyl butyral (PVB). The inner pane 4 and the outer pane 2 are connected to each other via the connecting layer 3. The electronic component 5 is laminated between the inner pane 4 and the connecting layer 3. It is also possible to laminate the electronic component 5 between the outer pane 2 and the connecting layer 3. The electronic component 5 is preferably arranged in a lower region of the composite pane, since there is a high risk of a person impacting a body part, particularly the head, in an accident.However, care should be taken to ensure that the electronic component 5 is sufficiently far away from the edge of the composite pane so that the kinetic energy generated in the event of an explosion of the electronic component 5 cannot escape over the edge and thus does not lead to damage to the inner pane 4 and / or the outer pane 2.

[0026] Preferably, the electronic component 5 is a thyristor or an electro-pyrotechnic trigger chip.

[0027] One in Fig.1 A camera (not shown) records the area in front of the motor vehicle during operation. The image data recorded by the camera is forwarded to the control unit 7. The control unit 7 analyses the image data and detects whether there is an imminent impact between a person and the composite pane 1. If an imminent impact is detected, an electrical current is output from the control unit 7 to the electronic component 5. The electrical current generates such great heat in the electronic component 5 that it explodes and damages the inner pane 4 and / or the outer pane 2 by creating a crack. When the person impacts the composite pane 1, the mechanical stability of the composite pane 1 is weakened, making it more easily deformed and possibly even destroyed. The impact energy is thus converted into work, which deforms and possibly destroys the composite pane.This reduces the risk of serious injury or even death to the person impacted.

[0028] However, if the camera does not detect an imminent impact from a person, the composite pane 1 is stable. An object impacting the composite pane 1, such as a stone, cannot easily destroy or damage the composite pane 1. List of reference symbols 1 composite pane 2 outer pane 3 Connection layer 4 inner pane 5 Electronic components 6 electrical connection 7 Control unit 8 masking strips QUOTES CONTAINED IN THE DESCRIPTION

[0000] This list of documents submitted by the applicant was generated automatically and is included solely for the convenience of the reader. This list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions. Cited patent literature

[0000] US 2010 300 792 A1

[0003]

Claims

[1] System comprising a composite pane (1) for a motor vehicle and a control unit (7), wherein the composite pane (1) comprises an outer pane (2), an inner pane (4) and a connecting structure, wherein the connecting structure is arranged between the outer pane (2) and the inner pane (4) and comprises a thermoplastic connecting layer (3), wherein the outer pane (2) and the inner pane (4) are connected to one another via the connecting layer (3), characterized by that the connecting structure comprises an electronic component (5) which is designed to be detonated by an electrical current output by the control unit (7). [2] System according to claim 1, characterized by that the electronic component (5) is designed to damage the inner pane (4) and / or the outer pane (2) by the explosion. [3] System according to one of the preceding claims, characterized bythat an opaque masking strip (8) is arranged on the outer pane (2) and / or on the inner pane (4), wherein the masking strip (8) covers the electronic component (5). [4] System according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the electronic component (5) comprises a thyristor. [5] System according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the electronic component (5) comprises a surface-mounted component. [6] System according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the electronic component (5) comprises a thin-film resistor. [7] System according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the electronic component (5) is arranged in a lower region of the composite pane (1). [8] System according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the control unit (7) is arranged away from the composite pane (1). [9] System according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by in that the system comprises a camera, wherein the camera is designed to record image data and output it to the control unit (7), wherein the control unit (7) is designed to determine from the image data whether there is an imminent impact of a person on the composite pane (1), wherein the control unit (7) is designed to output the current to the electronic component (5) if there is an imminent impact. [10] Motor vehicle comprising a system according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the composite pane (1) is a windscreen of the motor vehicle.

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