Glazing having a communication window for sensors and camera systems

Abstract

The present invention relates to a glazing (10), more particularly a vehicle glazing, at least comprising: - a first pane (1) having an outer surface (I) and an inner surface (II), wherein – on the outer surface (I) a coating (4) of diamond-like carbon (DLC) is arranged by means of a chemical vapour deposition method at atmospheric pressure (AP-CVD), preferably by means of a plasma-enhanced chemical vapour deposition method at atmospheric pressure (AP-PECVD).

Description

[0001] Glazing with communication window for sensors and camera systems

[0002] The invention lies in the field of glazing, in particular for sensors and camera systems, a glazing arrangement, a method for producing the glazing and its use.

[0003] Vehicles, aircraft, helicopters, and ships are increasingly equipped with various sensors or camera systems. Examples include camera systems such as video cameras, night vision cameras, residual light amplifiers, laser rangefinders, and passive infrared detectors. Vehicle identification systems are also increasingly being used, for example, for toll collection.

[0004] Camera systems can use light in the ultraviolet (UV), visible (VIS), and infrared (IR) wavelength ranges. This allows for precise detection of objects, vehicles, and people, even in poor weather conditions such as darkness and fog. These camera systems can be installed in motor vehicles behind the windshield in the passenger compartment, behind the rear window, but also behind side windows or other glazing elements. This also allows for the timely detection of dangerous situations and obstacles in road traffic.

[0005] High-quality sensors and sophisticated camera systems, such as those required for modern traffic sign recognition or autonomous driving (so-called vision-based driver assistance systems, FAS or Advanced Driver Assistance Systems, ADAS), require very high, undisturbed and low-scatter visibility in the area of ​​their beam path through the windscreen.

[0006] Common fogging and icing can significantly impair this beam path. Suitable ventilation or heating systems, such as those described in DE 102012 018 001 A1, can help.

[0007] In addition, microdefects and scratches on the outside (outer surface) of the windshield are particularly disruptive and detrimental to sophisticated optical systems. These are caused, for example, by abrasion caused by impacting sand grains or wiper blades moving across them. For many applications, it is therefore desirable to provide a windshield surface with improved scratch resistance. For example, the soda-lime glass commonly used for automotive glazing does not inherently exhibit high scratch resistance, especially when exposed to sand grains in combination with moving wiper blades.

[0008] One solution to this problem is to fully coat the exterior surface of the glazing with a layer of diamond-like carbon ("Diamond-Like Carbon", DLC), as disclosed in US2003190476A1. This layer can significantly improve the scratch resistance of the glass surface.

[0009] Diamond-like carbon (“Diamond-Like Carbon” DLC) consists of a mixture of sp 3 - and sp 2 -hybridized carbon and is characterized by an amorphous structure. Thin films of diamond-like carbon are generally well suited for improving the scratch resistance of a surface because they have a low coefficient of friction and sufficiently high hardness.

[0010] Methods for producing DLC ​​layers are widely known. For example, WO 2016 / 171627 A1 describes the coating of a substrate with a thin film comprising a carbon layer such as DLC. The DLC layer is applied by physical vapor deposition, e.g., by high-power pulsed magnetron sputtering. Furthermore, WO 2019 / 020481 A1 describes a method for depositing DLC ​​layers using a PECVD magnetron process.

[0011] Using such processes, large, flat glass surfaces can be coated with high-quality DLC coatings. However, modern vehicle glazing is typically curved and / or thermally toughened. During their production, coatings are typically applied to the entire surface of flat, even panes, which are then trimmed and subsequently subjected to appropriate heat treatment, for example, by bending.

[0012] One problem with DLC coatings is their temperature sensitivity. At high temperatures, the diamond-like carbon graphitizes (i.e., a shift of sp 3 - to sp 2 -coordination of the carbon atoms takes place) and burns to CO2 at temperatures above 400 °C. Since glass bending and glass hardening (annealing) processes require temperatures of up to 700 °C, pure DLC layers on glass burn and disappear if they are not protected from oxidation. To prevent oxidation, complex techniques with protective and release layers are necessary to prevent DLC layers from burning off during temperature treatment such as bending or annealing. Such approaches are described in WO 2004 / 071981, US 7060322 B2, US 8443627 or US 8580336 B2.

[0013] The washing processes described previously in the prior art for removing the tempering protection layers used to protect the DLC layer during heat treatment are complex and have various disadvantages. Firstly, the removal of the protective layer in this way can be unreliable and incomplete, particularly due to curved wafer geometries. The exposed substrate with the applied DLC layer must then undergo a drying step. Furthermore, the washing medium used is contaminated with the components of the washed-off protective layers and must be disposed of in a very complex and costly manner in accordance with environmental regulations.

[0014] WO 2021 / 043838 A1 and WO 2021 / 112144 A1 prevent bending of the DLC layer on a glass by inserting a transparent body, preferably a polycrystalline body or a chalcogenite glass, previously coated over its entire surface with a DLC layer, into a recess in a glass pane.

[0015] DE 10 2012 200969 A1 describes a carbon deposition process for coatings with anti-fingerprint properties using an atmospheric plasma jet. In this process, flat control elements of household appliances, particularly glass-ceramic panels, are fully coated. By varying the process parameters, it is possible to specifically modify different amorphous carbon configurations, from graphite-like to diamond-like structures.

[0016] WO 2018 / 054595 A1 describes a method for removing and structuring functional coatings on curved surfaces using a laser.

[0017] The object of the present invention is to provide an improved glazing with a scratch-resistant coating on the outer surface that is simple and cost-effective to produce. The scratch-resistant coating protects, in particular, the view-through area of ​​optical sensors or camera systems through the glazing surface, so that their optical properties are minimally impaired.

[0018] The object of the present invention is achieved by a glazing according to claim 1. Preferred embodiments are evident from the subclaims.

[0019] The glazing according to the invention is in particular a vehicle glazing and comprises at least the following features: a first pane with an outer surface and an inner surface, wherein

[0020] - a coating of diamond-like carbon (DLC) is arranged on the outer surface of the first disc.

[0021] The coating of diamond-like carbon (DLC) according to the invention is also referred to below as DLC coating or simply coating.

[0022] In an advantageous embodiment of a glazing according to the invention, the coating of diamond-like carbon (DLC) has a higher scratch resistance than the outer surface of the first pane (ie the outer surface without coating).

[0023] The first pane is advantageously monolithic, i.e., the first pane is advantageously made of a continuous material. In particular, the first pane has no openings or recesses filled with another material. Consequently, the outer surface of the first pane forms a continuous and uniform surface.

[0024] In an advantageous embodiment of a glazing according to the invention, the DLC coating is applied in sections to the outer surface and preferably not over the entire surface. In a further advantageous embodiment of a glazing according to the invention, the area of ​​the DLC coating is from 0.1% to 95%, preferably from 0.1% to 30%, particularly preferably from 0.5% to 10% of the outer surface area of ​​the first pane. The area of ​​the DLC coating here refers to the area of ​​the outer surface of the first pane provided with the DLC coating. The area of ​​the first pane here refers to the total area of ​​the outer surface of the first pane.

[0025] In a further advantageous embodiment of a glazing according to the invention, the DLC coating consists of a closed area which contains no uncoated zones.

[0026] The coating according to the invention contains or consists of a diamond-like carbon, whereby the diamond-like carbon is abbreviated here and hereinafter as DLC ("diamond-like carbon"). Coatings made of diamond-like carbon are generally known. In DLC layers, hydrogen-free or hydrogen-containing amorphous carbon is the predominant component, whereby the carbon consists of a mixture of sp 3 - and sp 2 -hybridized carbon. If necessary, sp 3 -hybridized carbon or sp 2 -hybridized carbon predominates. Examples of DLC include those designated ta-C and a:CH. The DLC layer can be doped or undoped. Doping elements include silicon, metals, oxygen, nitrogen, or fluorine.

[0027] In an advantageous embodiment, the carbon of the DLC coating comprises a mixture of sp 3 - and sp2 -hybridized carbon, preferably with a proportion of at least 20% sp 3 -hybridized, particularly preferably of at least 40% sp 3 -hybridized carbon, or consists of it.

[0028] DLC coatings exhibit advantageous properties such as high scratch resistance combined with high transparency. Scratch resistance is measured, for example, using an Erichsen hardness or Erichsen scratch tester.

[0029] The DLC coating according to the invention is advantageously deposited on the outer surface of the first pane by means of a process for chemical vapor deposition at atmospheric pressure (AP-CVD) and in particular by means of a process for plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition at atmospheric pressure (AP-PECVD).

[0030] Methods for depositing a layer in an atmospheric-pressure plasma are well known. The plasma is preferably generated by a discharge between electrodes, and at least one organic coating precursor compound is fed into the region of the relaxing plasma and deposited as a plasma-polymer layer on a substrate. Reference is made here merely by way of example to WO2018141802A1.

[0031] Advantageously, the at least one organic coating precursor compound is selected from the group consisting of non-cyclic or cyclic, non-functionalized or functionalized hydrocarbons.

[0032] In a preferred embodiment, the at least one organic coating precursor compound is selected from tetramethylsilane (TMS), alkanes having 1 to 10 carbon atoms, alkynes having 2 to 10 carbon atoms, benzene, or mixtures thereof. Examples of alkynes having 2 to 10 carbon atoms are ethyne, propyne, butyne, pentyne, hexyne, heptyne, octyne, nonyne, decyne, and their isomers. Examples of alkanes having 1 to 10 carbon atoms are methane, ethane, propane, butane, pentane, hexane, heptane, getane, nonane, decane, and their isomers. The at least one organic coating precursor compound is in particular selected from tetramethylsilane (TMS), methane (CH4), ethyne (C2H2), or combinations thereof. It is understood that mixtures of the above-mentioned coating precursor compounds can also be used as the coating precursor compound.

[0033] In particular, the organic coating precursor compound consists of acetylene (C2H2)

[0034] Nitrogen, neon, argon, krypton, xenon or forming gas is preferably used as inert or process gas.

[0035] In an advantageous embodiment of a glazing according to the invention, the diamond-like carbon coating has a thickness d of 1 nm to 20 nm, preferably 2 nm to 10 nm, particularly preferably 3 nm to 10 nm. DLC coatings of such thickness exhibit good scratch resistance properties with high optical transparency.

[0036] The terms "inside surface" and "outside surface" serve to distinguish the surface of the pane. In the installed position, the outside surface preferably faces an exterior space, for example, in the case of vehicle glazing, the exterior of the vehicle, and the inside surface preferably faces an interior space, for example, in the case of vehicle glazing, the interior of the vehicle.

[0037] In an advantageous embodiment of a glazing according to the invention, the DLC coating has sufficient transmission TL both at an angle a of 0° and at angles a of -80° to +80° to ensure an unobstructed view for sophisticated optical sensors and camera systems (particularly in terms of light sensitivity and dynamics).

[0038] In an advantageous embodiment, the glazing according to the invention has a transmission TL in the visible spectral range at an angle a = 0° of at least 70% in the area of ​​the DLC coating. In particular, the glazing according to the invention has a transmission TL in the visible spectral range at an angle a = 0° of at least 75% in the area of ​​the DLC coating. The visible spectral range is understood to be the spectral range from 400 nm to 750 nm. The transmission is preferably determined according to DIN EN 410.

[0039] In an advantageous embodiment of the glazing according to the invention, using the example of a composite pane, the inside surface of the first pane is connected in a planar manner to an outside surface of a second pane via at least one thermoplastic intermediate layer, for example by lamination.

[0040] The glazing according to the invention can comprise additional thin layers, for example IR-reflecting layers that protect a vehicle interior from solar radiation, or heat-ray-reflecting layers, also referred to as low-emissivity layers, emissivity-reducing layers, or low-E layers. Low-E layers have the particular task of reflecting thermal radiation, i.e., in particular, IR radiation with a longer wavelength than the IR component of solar radiation. At low outside temperatures, the low-E coating reflects heat back into the interior and reduces the cooling of the interior. At high outside temperatures, the low-E coating reflects the thermal radiation from the heated laminated pane outwards and reduces the heating of the interior.On the inside surface (inner side) of the second pane (inner pane), the coating according to the invention particularly effectively reduces the emission of heat radiation from the pane into the interior in summer and the radiation of heat into the outside environment in winter.

[0041] Furthermore, the glazing can have additional functional elements such as electrically controllable optical functional elements, such as lighting elements (e.g. OLEDs) or shading elements (e.g. electrochromic functional elements or PDLC, SPD, or guest-host cell elements).

[0042] Basically, all electrically insulating substrates which are thermally and chemically stable and dimensionally stable under the conditions of manufacture and use of the pane according to the invention are suitable as the first and optionally second pane.

[0043] The first pane preferably contains or consists of glass, particularly preferably flat glass, float glass, quartz glass, borosilicate glass, soda-lime glass, or clear plastics, preferably rigid clear plastics, in particular polyethylene, polypropylene, polycarbonate, polymethyl methacrylate, polystyrene, polyamide, polyester, polyvinyl chloride and / or mixtures thereof. The second pane, if present, preferably contains or consists of glass, particularly preferably flat glass, float glass, quartz glass, borosilicate glass, soda-lime glass, or clear plastics, preferably rigid clear plastics, in particular polyethylene, polypropylene, polycarbonate, polymethyl methacrylate, polystyrene, polyamide, polyester, polyvinyl chloride and / or mixtures thereof.

[0044] The first pane and / or the second pane are preferably transparent, particularly for use as a windshield or rear window of a vehicle or for other applications where high light transmission is desired. The first pane and / or, if present, the second pane are advantageously monolithic, i.e., they each have no recesses or inserts, for example, made of a different (transparent) material.

[0045] The thickness of the pane can vary widely and can thus be perfectly adapted to the requirements of the individual case. Preferably, panes with standard thicknesses of 1.0 mm to 25 mm are used, preferably from 1.4 mm to 5.9 mm for vehicle glass and preferably from 4 mm to 25 mm for furniture, appliances and buildings, in particular for electric radiators. The size of the pane can vary widely and depends on the size of the use according to the invention. The first pane and optionally the second pane have areas of 200 cm, which are common in vehicle construction and architecture, for example. 2 up to 20 m 2 on.

[0046] The disk can have any three-dimensional shape. Preferably, the three-dimensional shape has no shadow zones, allowing it to be coated with IR or low-E layers, for example, by cathode sputtering. The substrates are preferably planar or slightly or strongly curved in one or more directions of space. Planar substrates are particularly preferred. The disks can be colorless or colored.

[0047] Several panes are connected to one another by at least one intermediate layer. The intermediate layer preferably contains at least one thermoplastic, preferably polyvinyl butyral (PVB), ethylene-vinyl acetate (EVA), and / or polyethylene terephthalate (PET). However, the thermoplastic intermediate layer can also contain, for example, polyurethane (PU), polypropylene (PP), polyacrylate, polyethylene (PE), polycarbonate (PC), polymethyl methacrylate, polyvinyl chloride, polyacetate resin, casting resins, acrylates, fluorinated ethylene-propylene, polyvinyl fluoride, and / or ethylene-tetrafluoroethylene, or copolymers or mixtures thereof. The thermoplastic intermediate layer can be formed by one or more thermoplastic films arranged one above the other, with the thickness of a thermoplastic film preferably being from 0.25 mm to 1 mm, typically 0.38 mm or 0.76 mm.

[0048] Another aspect of the invention includes a glazing assembly comprising:

[0049] - a glazing according to the invention and - at least one optical sensor or at least one camera system, the beam path of which is directed at least partially and preferably completely onto or through the area of ​​the DLC coating.

[0050] The area of ​​the DLC coating enables particularly good and uninterrupted communication of the optical sensor or camera system through the glazing and is commonly referred to as the communication window. The area where the beam passes through the glazing, and in particular through the outer surface of the first pane, is commonly referred to as the camera window or camera zone.

[0051] In an advantageous embodiment of a glazing arrangement according to the invention, the area of ​​the DLC coating (i.e., the communication window) completely contains the passage area of ​​the beam path through the first pane (i.e., the camera window). Particularly preferably, the passage area of ​​the beam path (camera window) is substantially congruent with the area of ​​the DLC coating (communication window).

[0052] In an advantageous embodiment of the glazing arrangement according to the invention, an angle a (alpha) between the surface normal on the inside surface of the first pane and the center of the beam path of the optical sensor or camera system is from 0° to 80°, preferably from 10° to 75° and particularly preferably from 30° to 75°. The center of the beam path preferably runs essentially horizontally. Low values ​​of 10° to 30° are frequently used in commercial vehicles, in particular agricultural vehicles such as tractors, trucks or buses. Values ​​between 30° and 75° are frequently used in passenger cars, with values ​​between 50° and 75° being preferred for sports cars. The aforementioned angles are understood to be angles between the surface normal of the glazing and the center of the beam path.If the center of the beam path is horizontal, the angles a correspond to the inclination of the glazing in the installation position relative to the vertical.

[0053] The camera system according to the invention is preferably a high-performance camera system (particularly in terms of dynamics and range), in particular for vision-based driver assistance systems (FAS) or advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS). The invention further comprises a method for producing a glazing according to the invention, comprising at least the following steps in the specified order: a) tempering or bending at least one first pane at a temperature of more than 400°C, preferably more than 500°C, and b) depositing a coating of diamond-like carbon (DLC) on the outer surface of the first pane using an atmospheric-pressure chemical vapor deposition (AP-CVD) process, preferably using a plasma-enhanced atmospheric-pressure chemical vapor deposition (AP-PECVD) process.

[0054] The heat treatment in process step a) can be carried out in various ways, for example, by heating the pane using an oven or a radiant heater. Alternatively, the heat treatment can also be carried out by irradiation with light, for example, using a lamp or laser as the light source.

[0055] The first disc can be bent in process step a), typically at a temperature of 500 °C to 700 °C.

[0056] In an advantageous embodiment, the temperature treatment is carried out as a thermal tempering process. The heated substrate is exposed to an air stream, which rapidly cools it. Compressive stresses develop on the pane surface and tensile stresses in the pane core. This characteristic stress distribution increases the fracture strength of the glass panes. Tempering can also be preceded by a bending process.

[0057] In an advantageous development of the method according to the invention, an adhesion layer is deposited on the first pane prior to method step b), preferably using a chemical vapor deposition process at atmospheric pressure (AP-CVD) and particularly preferably using a plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition process at atmospheric pressure (AP-PECVD). The adhesion layer is preferably silicon oxide-based or consists of silicon oxide. The DLC coating is subsequently deposited on the adhesion layer, in particular essentially congruently. In an advantageous development of the method according to the invention, the DLC coating is deposited from a plasma nozzle onto a partial area of ​​the outer surface of the first pane (i.e., only locally). If present, the adhesion layer can also be deposited from a plasma nozzle onto a partial area of ​​the outer surface of the first pane (i.e., only locally).

[0058] Since the deposition of the DLC coating only occurs locally, the plasma nozzle is preferably moved in paths over immediately adjacent areas of the outer surface of the first disc and the DLC coating is deposited.

[0059] In an advantageous development of the method according to the invention, all method steps following method step b) for producing the glazing according to the invention are carried out at a temperature of less than 400 °C, preferably less than 300 °C, particularly preferably less than 200 °C. This means that the glazing according to the invention with the DLC coating is no longer heated to or above 400 °C, preferably no longer to or above 300 °C, and particularly preferably no longer to or above 200 °C. This has the effect that the DLC coating does not burn off or become damaged by the effect of the temperature.

[0060] In an intermediate step between process steps a) and b) or in a further process step c), a composite pane can be produced by bonding (laminating) the first pane, a thermoplastic intermediate layer and a second pane.

[0061] The first and second panes are preferably bonded together using heat, vacuum, and / or pressure. Known methods for producing a pane can be used.

[0062] For example, so-called autoclave processes can be carried out at an elevated pressure of approximately 10 to 15 bar and temperatures of 130°C to 145°C for approximately 2 hours. Conventional vacuum bag or vacuum ring processes, for example, operate at approximately 200 mbar and temperatures of 80°C to 110°C. The first sheet, the thermoplastic intermediate layer, and the second sheet can also be pressed into a sheet in a calender between at least one pair of rollers. Systems of this type are known for the production of sheets and usually have at least one heating tunnel upstream of a pressing unit. The temperature during the pressing process can range, for example, from 40°C to 150°C. Combinations of calender and autoclave processes have proven particularly successful in practice. Alternatively, vacuum laminators can be used.These consist of one or more heatable and evacuatable chambers in which the first pane and the second pane are laminated within, for example, about 60 minutes at reduced pressures of 0.01 mbar to 800 mbar and temperatures of 80 °C to 170 °C.

[0063] It is understood that lamination after application of the diamond-like carbon coating in step b) may only be carried out at temperatures and process conditions that do not damage the coating.

[0064] The invention further encompasses the use of the glazing according to the invention or the glazing arrangement according to the invention in buildings, in particular in the access area, window area, roof area, or facade area, as a built-in component in furniture and appliances, in means of transport for land, air, or water traffic, in particular in trains, ships, and motor vehicles, for example as a windshield, rear window, side window, and / or roof window. The use encompasses optical sensors and camera systems, in particular for vision-based driver assistance systems (FAS) or advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS), whose beam path runs through the coated communication window.

[0065] The invention is explained in more detail below with reference to a drawing and exemplary embodiments. The drawing is a schematic representation and not to scale. The drawing does not limit the invention in any way.

[0066] They show:

[0067] Figure 1A is a plan view of an embodiment of a glazing according to the invention, Figure 1B is a schematic cross-sectional view of the layer structure of the glazing according to Figure 1A,

[0068] Figure 1C is a schematic representation of a glazing arrangement according to the invention with a cross-sectional representation along the section line A-A' through the glazing according to Figure 1A, Figure 2A is a flow diagram of an embodiment of the method according to the invention,

[0069] Figure 2B shows a detailed view during process step S2 in the production of a glazing 10 according to the invention according to the example according to the invention from Figures 1A-C, and

[0070] Figure 3A is a plan view of a further embodiment of the glazing according to the invention,

[0071] Figure 3B is a schematic cross-sectional view of the layer structure of the glazing according to Figure 3A,

[0072] Figure 3C is a schematic representation of a glazing arrangement according to the invention with a cross-sectional representation along the section line A-A' through the glazing according to Figure 3A,

[0073] Figure 4A is a flowchart of an embodiment of the method according to the invention,

[0074] Figure 4B shows a detailed view during process step S2 in the production of a glazing 10 according to the invention according to the example according to the invention from Figures 3A-C, and

[0075] Figure 4C shows a detailed view during process step S3 in the production of a glazing 10 according to the invention in accordance with the example according to the invention from Figures 3A-C.

[0076] Figure 1A (Fig. 1A) shows a plan view of an exemplary embodiment of a glazing 10 according to the invention with an area coated according to the invention (communication window) 5. Figure 1B (Fig. 1B) shows a schematic cross-sectional view of the layer structure of the glazing 10 and Figure 1C (Fig. 1C) shows a schematic view of a glazing arrangement 100 according to the invention with a cross-sectional view along the section line A-A' through the glazing 10 according to Figure 1A.

[0077] The glazing 10 comprises a first pane 1 and a second pane 2, which are connected to one another via a thermoplastic intermediate layer 3. The glazing 10 is, for example, a vehicle window and in particular the windshield of a passenger car. The first pane 1 is, for example, intended to face the exterior of the vehicle in the installed position; the second pane 2 is, for example, intended to face the interior in the installed position. The first pane 1 and the second pane 2 are made, for example, of soda-lime glass. The thickness of the first pane 1 is, for example, 2.1 mm and the thickness of the second pane 2 is 1.6 mm. The thermoplastic intermediate layer 3 is made of polyvinyl butyral (PVB) and has a thickness of 0.76 mm.

[0078] Figure 1A shows a top view of the outer surface I of the first pane 1. In the top view, a camera system is located behind the glazing 10, the beam path of which is directed onto and through the glazing 10—more precisely, onto the inner surface IV of the second pane 2. The passage area of ​​the beam path is designated by reference numeral 7 and is also referred to as the camera window.

[0079] On the outer (first) surface I of the first pane 1, a coating 4 consisting of a layer of diamond-like carbon (DLC) is arranged in an area 5, also referred to as the communication window. This DLC coating 4 is more scratch-resistant than the outer surface I of the first pane 1 in the area surrounding the coating 4.

[0080] Figure 1B shows a schematic cross-sectional view of the layer structure of the glazing 10 according to Figure 1A in the area of ​​the coating 4. The thickness d of the coating 4 is, for example, 5 nm.

[0081] It is understood that the glazing 10 may have additional layers or features typical of windshields. For example, additional functional layers, such as IR-reflecting or IR-absorbing layers or so-called low-E layers, may be arranged on surfaces II, III, and IV. Furthermore, heatable layers, prints, or wires may be arranged in or on the glazing 10. Furthermore, additional functional elements such as antennas or electrically controllable optical functional elements, such as lighting elements or shading elements (PDLC, SPD, electrochromic, guest-host systems, etc.), may be arranged in or on the glazing 10.

[0082] In this example, the glazing 10 has, in particular, an opaque black print (not shown here) on the inside surface II of the first pane 1, which extends in stripes along the upper, lower, and lateral edges of the pane, i.e., is frame-shaped. Figure 1C shows an exemplary embodiment of a glazing arrangement 100 according to the invention with a glazing 10. Furthermore, a camera system 6 is arranged on the inside surface IV of the second pane 2, which can be used, for example, for a vision-based driver assistance system.

[0083] The beam path 8 of the camera system 6 is directed entirely through the area 5 coated with the coating 4. In particular, the beam path 8 of the camera system 6 runs in its entire passage area 7 through the outer surface I of the first pane 1 (also called the camera window) within the area 5 formed by the coating 4.

[0084] The central ray of the beam path 8 of the camera system 6 is aligned approximately horizontally here. The angle α between the orthonormal to the glazing 10 (shown here as the orthonormal to the inner surface IV of the second pane 2) and the center of the beam path 8 of the camera system 6 is, for example, 73°.

[0085] Passenger car windshields are typically installed flat, with an installation angle a to the vertical of, for example, 73°. It is understood that for applications in other vehicle types, such as buses or tractors, the installation angle may be smaller, for example, 15°.

[0086] The communication window 5 is suitable for ensuring visibility for a camera system 6 or other optical sensors. For this purpose, the camera window, i.e. the passage area 7 of the optical beam path 8 of the camera system 6 through the glazing 10, is arranged completely within the area 5 of the communication window provided with the coating 4. The coating 4 in the communication window 5 is barely perceptible to the camera system 6 and does not interfere with the view through the glazing 10. On the contrary: Due to its scratch resistance, the surface of the coating 4 is particularly smooth and has only a few scratches and defects that interfere with the optical signal. This is particularly important for use in vehicles and camera systems 6 with high optical requirements, as is the case with vision-based driver assistance systems (FAS) or advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS). Figure 2A (Fig.2A) shows a flow diagram of an embodiment of the method according to the invention for producing the glazing 10 according to the invention according to Figures 1A-C.

[0087] For this purpose, in a first process step S1, at least a first pane 1 and a second pane 2 are cut out of larger flat glass panes, bent at temperatures of approximately 640 °C and then laminated together to form a composite pane via a thermoplastic intermediate layer 3, for example in an autoclave process at temperatures of approximately 120 °C.

[0088] Subsequently, in a second step S2, the coating 4 of diamond-like carbon is deposited in a local area 5 of a communication window, for example using a plasma-enhanced atmospheric pressure chemical vapor deposition (AP-PECVD) process.

[0089] Figure 2B (Fig. 2B) schematically shows the deposition process in which the coating 4 is deposited from a plasma nozzle 20 onto the outer surface I of the first pane 1. The plasma nozzle 20 and / or the glazing can be moved over the outer surface I of the first pane 1 via a robot, an XY translation stage, an XYZ translation stage, or another moving device, and a coating 4 according to the invention made of diamond-like carbon can be deposited locally below the nozzle outlet.

[0090] Figure 3A (Fig. 3A) shows a plan view of an exemplary embodiment of a further glazing 10 according to the invention with a communication window 5. Figure 3B (Fig. 3B) shows a schematic cross-sectional representation of the layer structure of the glazing 10 and Figure 3C (Fig. 3C) shows a schematic representation of a further glazing arrangement 100 according to the invention with a cross-sectional representation along the section line A-A' through the glazing 10 according to Figure 3A.

[0091] Figure 4A (Fig. 4A) shows a flow diagram of a further embodiment of the method according to the invention for producing the glazing 10 according to the invention according to Figures 3A-C. Figures 4B (Fig. 4B) and 4C (Fig. 4C) show detailed representations of selected method steps. The glazing 10 and the glazing arrangement 100 according to Figures 3A-C essentially correspond to the glazing 10 and the glazing arrangement 100 according to Figures 1A-C, so that only the differences will be discussed here, and reference is made to the description under Figures 1A-C. The same applies to the description of the manufacturing process under Figures 4A-C, which essentially corresponds to the manufacturing process according to Figures 2A and 2B.

[0092] The glazing 10 according to Figure 3A relates to a single pane of glass, for example, a rear window of a passenger car made of toughened safety glass. Since the glazing 10 consists of only a single pane of glass, the so-called "first" pane 1, here the only pane of the glazing 10. The outer surface I of the glazing 10 is intended, for example, to face the exterior of the vehicle in the installed position. The (first) pane 1 consists, for example, of thermally toughened soda-lime glass. The thickness of the (first) pane 1 is, for example, 2.1 mm.

[0093] Figure 3A shows a plan view of the outer surface I of the (first) pane 1. In the plan view, a camera system is located behind the glazing 10, the beam path of the reception area of ​​which is directed onto and through the glazing 10 - more precisely onto the inner surface II of the (first) pane 1.

[0094] On the outer surface I of the first pane 1, a coating 4 consisting of a layer of diamond-like carbon is arranged in an area 5 (i.e., the communication window). The coating 4 is more scratch-resistant than the outer surface I of the first pane 1 in the area surrounding the coating 4.

[0095] Figure 3B shows a schematic cross-sectional view of the layer structure of the glazing 10 according to Figure 3A in the area of ​​the coating 4. The thickness d of the coating 4 is, for example, 5 nm.

[0096] It is understood that the glazing 10 may have further layers or features typical for rear windows. For example, further functional layers, such as IR-reflecting or IR-absorbing layers or so-called low-E layers, may be arranged on the inner surface II. Furthermore, antenna conductors and / or heatable layers, prints, or wires may be arranged in or on the glazing 10. In this example, the glazing 10 has, in particular, an opaque black print (not shown here) on the inner surface II of the first pane 1, which extends in stripes along the top and bottom edges of the pane. It is understood that the black print may also be frame-shaped.

[0097] Figure 3C shows an exemplary embodiment of a glazing arrangement 100 according to the invention with a glazing 10. Furthermore, a camera system 6 is arranged on the inner surface II of the glazing 10, which can be used, for example, for a vision-based driver assistance system or as a rear-view camera.

[0098] The beam path 8 of the camera system 6 is directed essentially completely through the area 5 coated with the coating 4. In particular, the beam path 8 of the camera system 6 runs in its entire passage area 7 through the outer surface I of the first pane 1 within the area 5 formed by the coating 4 (communication window). In the example shown, area 5 and passage area 7 are, for example, congruent. In contrast to the exemplary embodiment according to Figures 1 AC, an adhesion layer 9, for example made of silicon oxide, is arranged between the outer surface I of the first pane 1 and the coating 4.

[0099] For example, the middle beam of the beam path 8 of the camera system 6 is aligned approximately horizontally here.

[0100] The communication window 5 is suitable for ensuring visibility for the camera system 6 or other optical sensors. For this purpose, the camera window, i.e. the passage area 7 of the optical beam path 8 of the camera system 6 through the glazing 10, is arranged congruently with the area 5 of the communication window provided with the coating 4. The coating 4 in the communication window 5 is barely perceptible to the camera system 6 and does not interfere with the view through the glazing 10. On the contrary: Due to its scratch resistance, the surface of the coating 4 is particularly smooth and has only a few scratches and defects that interfere with the optical signal. This is particularly important for use in vehicles and camera systems 6 with high optical requirements, as is the case with vision-based driver assistance systems (FAS) or advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS).

[0101] Figure 4A shows a flow diagram of an embodiment of the method according to the invention for producing the glazing 10 according to the invention according to Figures 3A-C.

[0102] For this purpose, in a first process step S1, at least the (first) pane 1 is cut out of a larger, flat glass pane, bent at temperatures of, for example, approximately 690 °C, and then quenched, for example, by a cold air stream (thermal tempering). This creates a thermally tempered single pane of toughened safety glass.

[0103] Subsequently, in a second step S2, an adhesion-enhancing layer 9 (hereinafter also referred to as adhesion layer 9) is deposited in a local area of ​​the communication window 5 using a plasma-assisted CVD deposition process under atmospheric pressure. The adhesion layer 9 is based on silicon oxide, for example, and here consists of silicon oxide, for example.

[0104] Figure 4B schematically shows the deposition process in which the adhesion layer 9 is deposited from a plasma nozzle 20 onto the outer surface I of the (first) pane 1. The plasma nozzle 20 and / or the glazing 10 can be moved over the outer surface I of the first pane 1 via a robot, an XY translation stage, an XYZ translation stage, or another movement device, and a layer of, for example, silicon oxide can be deposited locally below the nozzle outlet.

[0105] Subsequently, in a third step S3, the coating 4 of diamond-like carbon is deposited in the local area of ​​the communication window 5 and onto the adhesion layer 9 using a plasma-assisted CVD deposition process under atmospheric pressure.

[0106] Figure 4C schematically shows the deposition process in which the coating 4 is deposited from a plasma nozzle 20 of the adhesion layer 9. In this case, a plasma nozzle 20 and / or the glazing 10 can be moved via a robot, an XY translation stage, an XYZ translation stage, or another moving device over the adhesion layer 9 on the outer surface I of the first pane 1, and a coating 4 of diamond-like carbon can be deposited locally below the nozzle outlet.

[0107] It is understood that after the application of the coating 4, the glazing 10 is no longer exposed to high temperatures, such as those encountered during glass bending. Therefore, there is no longer any risk of deterioration of the diamond-like carbon layer of the coating 4.

[0108] The following Table 1 shows manufacturing parameters and measurement results of investigations on four samples 1-4 coated with a DLC coating in an AP-PE-CVD process.

[0109] Table 1 :

[0110] The DLC coating of samples 1-4 was deposited using plasma-enhanced atmospheric-pressure chemical vapor deposition (AP-PECVD) on a 2.1 mm thick, clear SGG Planiclear (PLC) float glass sheet from Saint-Gobain Glass. Acetylene (C2H2) was used as the coating precursor. The transmission TL was measured using standard illuminant D65 at an angle α of 2°. Scratch resistance was measured using an Erichsen Hardness Tester Model 413 with a 1 mm diameter tip and a normal force of 10 N.

[0111] As shown in Table 1, DLC coatings with good to excellent scratch resistance properties could be produced using the AP-PECVD process.

[0112] The glazings 10 according to the invention with correspondingly coated communication windows 5 are much better suited for low-interference and low-distortion visibility and the operation of highly sensitive optical sensors and camera systems than glazings according to the prior art and meet the requirements for modern vision-based driver assistance systems.

[0113] The inventive deposition process using atmospheric pressure chemical vapor deposition (AP-CVD) or plasma-enhanced atmospheric pressure chemical vapor deposition (AP-PECVD) allows a DLC coating to be applied after bending and tempering the glazing. This eliminates the need for complex techniques involving protective and release layers to prevent oxidation, which prevent DLC layers from burning off during heat treatment during bending or tempering.

[0114] The method according to the invention allows a targeted, fast, local and therefore cost-effective deposition of the DLC coating.

[0115] List of reference symbols:

[0116] 1 first slice

[0117] 2 second slice

[0118] 3 thermoplastic intermediate layer

[0119] 4 Diamond-like carbon coating

[0120] 5 Area of ​​coating 4, communication window

[0121] 6 camera system

[0122] 7 Beam path passage area 8, Camera window

[0123] 8 Beam path

[0124] 9 Adhesion layer

[0125] 10 Glazing

[0126] 20 Plasma nozzle

[0127] 100 glazing arrangement

[0128] I first / outer surface of the first pane 1

[0129] II second / inner surface of the first pane 1

[0130] III first / outer surface of the second pane 2

[0131] IV second / inner surface of the second pane 2 d thickness of the coating 4

[0132] F1 Area of ​​the outer surface I of the first pane 1

[0133] F4 Surface of coating 4

[0134] DLC diamond-like carbon

[0135] AP-CVD chemical vapor deposition at atmospheric pressure

[0136] AP-PECVD plasma-assisted chemical vapor deposition at

[0137] Atmospheric pressure

[0138] S1, S2, S3 process step

[0139] T L transmission

[0140] A-A' section line

Claims

Claims: Glazing (10), in particular vehicle glazing, comprising at least: a first pane (1) with an outer surface (I) and an inner surface (II), wherein the first pane (1) contains or consists of soda-lime glass and a coating (4) of diamond-like carbon (DLC) is arranged on the outer surface (I). Glazing (10) according to claim 1, wherein the coating (4) is arranged on the outer surface (I) of the first pane (1) by an atmospheric pressure chemical vapor deposition process (AP-CVD), preferably by a plasma-assisted atmospheric pressure chemical vapor deposition process (AP-PECVD). Glazing (10) according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the first pane (1) is monolithic and preferably has a continuous and uniform outer surface (I).Glazing (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the coating (4) is arranged section by section on the outer surface (I) and preferably the coating (4) is not arranged over the entire outer surface (I). Glazing (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein an area (F4) of the coating (4) comprises 0.1% to 95%, preferably 0.1% to 30%, and particularly preferably 0.5% to 10% of an area (F1) of the outer surface (I) of the first pane (1). Glazing (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the diamond-like carbon of the coating (4) is a mixture of sp 3 - and sp 2 -hybridized carbon with a proportion of at least 20%, preferably at least 40%, sp 3-hybridized carbon comprises or consists thereof. Glazing (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the coating (4) is undoped or doped, preferably with silicon, metals, oxygen, nitrogen, or fluorine. Glazing (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the coating (4) has a thickness d of 1 nm to 20 nm, preferably of 2 nm to 10 nm, particularly preferably of 3 nm to 10 nm, and particularly preferably of 3 nm to 9 nm. Glazing (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the coating (4) has a higher scratch resistance than the outer surface (I) of the first pane (1). Glazing (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the inner surface (II) of the first pane (1) is bonded over a surface to an outer surface (III) of a second pane (2) via at least one thermoplastic intermediate layer (3), preferably by lamination.Glazing arrangement (100), comprising at least: a) a glazing (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 10 and b) at least one optical sensor or at least one camera system (5) whose beam path (8) is directed through the region (5) of the coating (4). Glazing arrangement (10) according to claim 11, wherein the region (5) of the coating (4) completely contains the passage region (7) of the beam path (8) and preferably the passage region (7) is substantially congruent with the region (5) of the coating (4). A method for producing a glazing (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 10, comprising at least the following steps in the specified order: a) annealing or bending at least one first pane (1), preferably at a temperature of more than 400 °C, preferably at more than 500 °C, b) depositing a coating (4) of diamond-like carbon (DLC) on the outer surface (I) of the first pane (1) using an atmospheric pressure chemical vapor deposition (AP-CVD) process, preferably using an atmospheric pressure plasma-assisted chemical vapor deposition (AP-PECVD) process.A method according to claim 13, wherein, prior to step b), an adhesion layer (9) is deposited on the outer surface (I) of the first disk (1), preferably by means of an atmospheric pressure chemical vapor deposition (AP-CVD) process and particularly preferably by means of an atmospheric pressure plasma-assisted chemical vapor deposition (AP-PECVD) process, and the coating (4) is deposited in step b), particularly substantially congruently, on the adhesion layer (9). A method according to claim 13 or claim 14, wherein the coating (4) is deposited from a plasma nozzle (20) on a partial area of ​​the outer surface (I) of the first disk (1). A method according to any one of claims 13 to 15, wherein all subsequent process steps for producing the glazing (10) are carried out at a temperature below 400 °C, preferably below 300 °C, and particularly preferably below 200 °C.Use of the glazing (10) according to one of claims 1 to 10 or a glazing arrangement (100) according to one of claims 11 or 12 in means of transport for traffic on land, in the air or on water, in particular in motor vehicles, for example as. Windscreen, rear window, side windows and / or roof window, as well as a functional individual item and as an installation component in furniture, appliances and buildings, with optical sensors and camera systems (6), in particular for vision-based driver assistance systems (FAS) or Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS), whose beam path (8) passes through the area (6) of the coating (4).

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