Vehicle window having an opaque coating

Abstract

Disclosed is a vehicle window (10) at least comprising a glass substrate (1) having a outer surface (I), an inner surface (II), and an edge region (R) peripherally directly adjacent to the peripheral edge (K) of the substrate (1), wherein - the substrate (1) comprises an opaque coating (5) on at least some parts of the outer surface (I) and / or of the inner surface (II) in the edge region (R), and - the opaque coating (5) comprises at least one titanium-aluminium-nitride-based layer (5.1).

Description

[0001] Vehicle window with opaque covering layer

[0002] The invention relates to a vehicle window with an opaque covering layer, a method for its production and its use.

[0003] Laminated glazing, which comprises at least two panes and at least one polymer film bonded between the panes, has been in widespread use for decades in various technical fields, particularly in building glazing and vehicle construction. The selection of materials and the dimensioning of components depend on the requirements of the specific application, particularly with regard to the desired mechanical strength of the finished glazing, taking into account the constraints imposed by the frame and any attachments.

[0004] US 3,437,552 A discloses laminated panes comprising two glass panes and an intermediate polyvinyl butyral (PVB) layer.

[0005] US 6,708,595 B1 discloses a bulletproof laminated glass pane for motor vehicles, which comprises a stacking sequence of several panes and several adhesive intermediate layers in between.

[0006] Automotive windows often include an opaque masking print, also known as black print or black enamel, to conceal certain areas of the glazing, such as the area where the window is bonded to the body or areas where electrical connections are located. Beyond optical lamination, the opaque masking print is intended to protect the bond from UV light exposure to prevent degradation of the adhesive.

[0007] The currently standard opaque masking print is a black enamel, which is a type of ceramic composite composed of glass frits with other elements. Printed enamels containing SiO2, Bi2O3, ZnO, and pigments are preferred. Enamels comprising these components are well known and are produced, for example, by firing printing pastes onto glass surfaces. Suitable printing pastes for automotive glazing and building glazing are commercially available and, in addition to the aforementioned components, generally contain solvents. The solvent evaporates during the firing process and is no longer present in the resulting enamel. The pigments contained in commercially available printing pastes serve to color the pane for aesthetic purposes and to protect the edge bonding of the panes from light.In the automotive sector, an opaque masking print comprising a black enamel is usually applied to windshields and rear windows along the peripheral edge.

[0008] In the context of a sustainable restructuring of economic cycles, black enamel cover prints are disadvantageous because such printed glass cannot be recycled in large quantities using the float glass process. The float glass process is the most common and cost-effective manufacturing process for flat glass, which is used for vehicle glazing, among other things. In the float glass process, in addition to raw materials such as sand, glass cullet is also used as a recycled starting material. Today, the cullet produced when cutting the float glass is primarily used. Vehicle windows printed with enamel, on the other hand, are not well suited for recycling in the float glass plant, as they can contaminate the molten glass and are further processed into lower-quality products, such as asphalt. This has an adverse impact on the overall CO2 balance.

[0009] Furthermore, the application of black enamel involves the use of a variety of solvents that pose health and environmental concerns. Finally, the process typically requires pre-sintering of the enameled glass, which represents an additional cost factor.

[0010] Furthermore, it is known that enameling glass reduces its mechanical stability, although this effect can be significant depending on the composition and thickness of the enamel. To apply an enamel to glass, a printing paste is first applied, which is then fired to create the enamel. However, pores form in the resulting enamel, which transfer a defect corresponding to the respective pore to the underlying glass, thus leading to an undesirable reduction in strength.

[0011] In conjunction with pre-coated float glass, the firing of black enamel presents a particular challenge, especially when it comes to coatings with low emissivity (so-called "low-E coatings"). Low-E coatings absorb heat poorly, while the enamel absorbs heat strongly. This can result in significant thermal gradients during heating and cooling, ultimately leading to glass breakage. Therefore, there is a need for vehicle windows with opaque cover layers that do not affect the strength of the glass, can be applied without the use of environmentally harmful solvents, and can be recycled in the float glass process.

[0012] WO 2021 136079 A1 discloses a curved glass pane containing an inorganic layer, wherein the inorganic layer comprises a translucent color layer and a light-shielding layer. The translucent color layer is made of an inorganic oxide and / or an elemental metal. The translucent color layer and the light-shielding layer can be applied to the same or opposite pane surfaces.

[0013] JP S63 265844 A describes a method for coating a glass substrate by magnetron sputtering, whereby a metal nitride layer is deposited.

[0014] EP 3756882 A1 discloses a vehicle composite pane with a sensor region comprising an inner pane and an outer pane which are connected to one another via a thermoplastic intermediate layer, wherein an insert is arranged outside the sensor region between the inner pane and the outer pane, which insert causes a local change in the thickness of the thermoplastic intermediate layer within the sensor region.

[0015] The present invention is based on the object of providing such an improved vehicle window with an opaque cover layer, a method for its production and its use.

[0016] This object is achieved according to the invention by a vehicle window according to claim 1. Preferred embodiments are evident from the subclaims.

[0017] The vehicle window comprises at least one glass substrate with an exterior surface (side I), an interior surface (side II), and a peripheral edge region arranged immediately adjacent to the peripheral edge of the substrate. In the edge region, the substrate comprises an opaque cover layer on the exterior surface and / or the interior surface, at least in sections. The opaque cover layer comprises at least one layer based on titanium aluminum nitride. In the vehicle composite window according to the invention, the opaque cover print customary in the edge region of vehicle windows according to the prior art is replaced by an opaque layer based on titanium aluminum nitride. The vehicle window according to the invention therefore does not have an opaque cover print comprising enamel. The omission of an enamel-based cover print enables the vehicle windows to be recycled in float glass plants.The opaque titanium-aluminum nitride-based layer has no negative impact on the float process or the product quality of the glass panes produced therein, so that the vehicle panes according to the invention have good recyclability. Furthermore, layers based on titanium-aluminum nitride exhibit very good thermomechanical resistance, which, on the one hand, facilitates transport and further processing of the panes during the production process and, on the other hand, ensures a long product service life. The latter applies in particular when the titanium-aluminum nitride layer represents a surface of the vehicle pane exposed to the environment when installed in the vehicle. Furthermore, layers based on titanium-aluminum nitride are heat- and oxidation-resistant, so they can be applied to the vehicle pane before any bending.Furthermore, titanium aluminum nitride-based coatings exhibit a lower surface roughness compared to enamel prints. This makes the opaque cover layer according to the invention suitable for applying additional functional layers, such as infrared-reflecting and / or electrically conductive coatings, to its surface. This is not possible on an opaque enamel cover print, or not possible with sufficient coating quality.

[0018] Preferably, the opaque cover layer is applied directly to the substrate, meaning there are no additional layers between this layer and the substrate. This means that any additional layers applied to the vehicle window are concealed in the edge area by the opaque cover layer.

[0019] The opaque cover layer can be adapted to the dimensions of the vehicle window. The opaque cover layer is preferably formed in the edge region of the vehicle window, circumferentially along the peripheral edge of the window, with the width of the cover layer varying.

[0020] The opaque cover layer is primarily used to mask the bonding of a vehicle window, such as a rear window, roof window, or windshield, to a vehicle body. This creates a harmonious overall impression of the window when installed. Furthermore, the opaque cover layer serves as UV protection for the adhesive material used.

[0021] The opaque cover layer preferably consists of a single layer based on titanium aluminum nitride. A single layer is sufficient to achieve the desired opaque properties. Furthermore, the deposition of a single layer is more cost-effective than a multilayer stack.

[0022] The opaque cover layer can be applied to one or more pane surfaces. An advantage of the invention in this regard is that the opaque cover layer is suitable for application to a freely exposed surface of the substrate. Thus, the surface on which the opaque cover layer is to be placed can be freely selected according to customer requirements. For the purposes of the invention, an exposed surface is understood to be a surface that is accessible and has direct contact with the surrounding atmosphere. It can also be referred to as an external surface.

[0023] The opaque cover layer, as defined by the invention, is a layer that prevents visibility through the composite pane. The transmission of light of the visible spectrum in the wavelength range from 380 nm to 780 nm through the opaque cover layer is at most 5%, preferably at most 2%, particularly preferably at most 1%, in particular at most 0.1%.

[0024] Arranged flatly one above the other means that the projection of a first layer into the plane of a second layer is at least partially congruent with the second layer.

[0025] If a layer is based on a material, the layer consists predominantly of this material, in particular essentially of this material alongside any impurities or dopants. A layer based on titanium aluminum nitride therefore consists predominantly of titanium aluminum nitride.

[0026] The titanium-aluminum nitride-based layer preferably contains at least 90 weight percent titanium-aluminum nitride, more preferably at least 95 weight percent titanium-aluminum nitride, and most preferably at least 99 weight percent titanium-aluminum nitride. This results in a layer with good mechanical stability and heat resistance. The titanium-aluminum nitride-based layer is particularly preferably doped with chromium, tungsten, molybdenum, zirconium, hafnium, vanadium, niobium, and / or tantalum. This improves the opacity or thermomechanical properties of the layer. Furthermore, the titanium-aluminum nitride-based layer can contain carbon or oxygen, which at least partially forms the corresponding carbides (TiAICN) or oxides (TiAION). The addition of carbon improves the mechanical properties of the layer. A certain oxygen content can result from partial oxidation of the layer.The oxides, nitrides, and carbides mentioned can be deposited stoichiometrically, substoichiometrically, or superstoichiometrically (although a stoichiometric molecular formula is given for clarity). They can contain dopants, for example, chromium, tungsten, molybdenum, zirconium, hafnium, vanadium, niobium, and / or tantalum.

[0027] Preferably, the titanium-aluminum nitride-based layer has a titanium to aluminum Ti / Al ratio of between 40 atomic % and 60 atomic % and 60 atomic % and 40 atomic %. A titanium to aluminum ratio of between 45 atomic % Ti / 55 atomic % Al and 55 atomic % Ti / 45 atomic % Al has proven particularly advantageous. In particular, titanium and aluminum are each present at approximately 50 atomic %.

[0028] The titanium aluminum nitride-based layer preferably has a thickness of 100 nm to 5000 nm, particularly preferably 200 nm to 3000 nm, and especially 500 nm to 2500 nm. Good opaque properties could be achieved in these ranges.

[0029] The opaque cover layer preferably comprises an adhesion-promoting layer applied directly to the substrate between the substrate and the titanium aluminum nitride-based layer. Directly on the substrate means that there are no further layers between the adhesion-promoting layer and the substrate. The adhesion-promoting layer improves the adhesion of the opaque cover layer to the substrate. The adhesion-promoting layer preferably has a thickness of 5 nm to 100 nm, particularly preferably 10 nm to 70 nm, in particular 10 nm to 50 nm. In these ranges, a sufficient improvement in the adhesion of the opaque cover layer is observed with the smallest possible layer thickness of the adhesion-promoting layer, thus ensuring cost-effective deposition.Adhesion-promoting layers comprising silicon oxide, silicon nitride, and / or aluminum nitride have proven particularly advantageous in terms of their adhesion-promoting properties, with silicon oxide being particularly preferred. Furthermore, the opaque cover layer preferably contains a protective layer applied to the surface of the titanium-aluminum nitride-based layer facing away from the substrate. The protective layer prevents oxidation of the titanium-aluminum nitride-based layer, particularly during thermal treatments such as bending the substrate. The protective layer preferably comprises silicon nitride and / or aluminum nitride.

[0030] In a first preferred embodiment, the opaque cover layer consists of a layer based on titanium aluminum nitride. In a second preferred embodiment, the opaque cover layer consists of an adhesion promoter layer applied directly to the substrate and a layer based on titanium aluminum nitride located on the adhesion promoter layer. In a third preferred embodiment, the opaque cover layer consists of a layer based on titanium aluminum nitride located on the substrate and a cover layer applied thereon. In a fourth preferred embodiment, the opaque cover layer consists of, starting from the substrate, in this order, an adhesion promoter layer, a layer based on titanium aluminum nitride, and a protective layer.

[0031] The substrate may have other suitable coatings known per se, for example anti-reflective coatings, non-stick coatings, anti-scratch coatings, photocatalytic coatings, reflective coatings,

[0032] Solar control coatings (also known as IR-reflective coatings) and / or heat protection coatings (also known as low-E coatings). These coatings are preferably applied above the opaque cover layer. This has the advantage that the coating is optically concealed in the edge area of ​​the substrate when viewed through the substrate.

[0033] A reflective coating applied to the interior of the opaque cover layer when installed enables the vehicle windscreen to be used as a projection surface, with a light source projecting an image onto the reflective coating, which is reflected back to the viewer.

[0034] The optionally available sun protection coating reflects portions of the incident solar radiation outside the visible spectral range, particularly in the infrared spectral range. The sun protection coating reduces the heating of the vehicle interior caused by direct sunlight. The sun protection coating comprises at least one functional layer containing silver. In an advantageous embodiment, the sun protection coating comprises two or three functional layers. Sun protection coatings with multiple functional layers enable high reflectivity for infrared radiation while simultaneously providing high transmission in the visible spectral range.

[0035] The thickness of each functional layer of the sun protection coating is preferably from 5 nm to 25 nm, particularly preferably from 10 nm to 20 nm. The total layer thickness of all functional layers of the sun protection coating is preferably from 20 nm to 80 nm, particularly preferably from 30 nm to 60 nm. Within these ranges for the thickness of the functional layer and the total thickness of all functional layers, particularly good results are achieved with regard to sun protection function and transparency. The sun protection coating preferably comprises at least one dielectric layer. Each functional layer is particularly preferably arranged between two dielectric layers.The functional layers and the dielectric layers are preferably arranged such that at least one dielectric layer is arranged between each two adjacent functional layers, between which no further functional layer is arranged, and that at least one further dielectric layer is arranged above the uppermost functional layer, and that at least one further dielectric layer is arranged below the lowermost functional layer. The dielectric layers of the sun protection coating preferably contain at least silicon nitride. The silicon nitride can have dopants, in particular aluminum. The dielectric layers preferably have thicknesses of 10 nm to 100 nm, particularly preferably of 20 nm to 70 nm.However, the dielectric layers of the sun protection coating can also contain other suitable materials known to those skilled in the art, for example at least one metal oxide such as SnO2, Bi2O3, TiO2, ZnO, and / or at least one metal nitride such as AlN. The sun protection coating can comprise further layers known per se to those skilled in the art, for example smoothing layers and / or blocking layers.

[0036] Such a sun protection coating comprising functional silver layers is heatable by applying an electrical voltage. The opaque cover layer according to the invention is preferably conductive to electrical current, preferably having an electrical conductivity of at least 10' 8 S / cm, particularly preferably at least 10' 7S / cm. This is particularly advantageous if the described sun protection coating and / or other electrically conductive coatings are to be applied to the opaque cover layer, i.e., above the opaque cover layer. Electrical contact with the electrically conductive coating can be achieved with the aid of the electrically conductive opaque cover layer.

[0037] If a first layer is arranged above a second layer, this means, within the meaning of the invention, that the first layer is arranged farther from the substrate to which the coating is applied than the second layer. If a first layer is arranged below a second layer, this means, within the meaning of the invention, that the second layer is arranged farther from the substrate than the first layer. With regard to the sun protection coating and the opaque cover layer, this means that a sun protection coating applied above the opaque cover layer is farther from the substrate surface than the opaque cover layer.

[0038] The vehicle window according to the invention preferably comprises a second pane which is bonded to the substrate via a thermoplastic intermediate layer to form a composite pane. The second pane has an outside surface, also referred to as side III, and an inside surface, also referred to as side IV. The thermoplastic intermediate layer bonds either the inside surface (side II) of the substrate and the outside surface (side III) of the second pane, with the substrate forming the inside pane and the second pane forming the outside pane, or the inside surface (side IV) of the second pane and the outside surface (side I) of the substrate, with the second pane forming the outside pane and the substrate forming the inside pane.

[0039] An opaque cover layer on the outer pane can be applied to the interior surface of the outer pane and / or to the exterior surface of the outer pane. The interior surface of the outer pane is preferred in that the opaque cover print is protected from the effects of weather. Particularly preferably, at least one opaque cover layer in the form of an opaque cover print is arranged on the interior surface of the outer pane and / or the exterior surface of the inner pane. An opaque cover print applied to the exterior surface of the inner pane also conceals the view from the vehicle interior through the laminated pane to the outside. This can conceal components laminated into the laminated pane, such as electrical connections.Customers also want to be able to freely choose the position of the cover print and, if necessary, to apply it to the interior surface or the exterior surface of the inner pane.

[0040] In a first preferred embodiment, the substrate forms the outer pane of the composite pane, and the opaque cover layer is arranged on the interior-side surface of the substrate. Particularly preferably, a sun protection coating is arranged above and adjacent to the cover layer, wherein the sun protection coating is, in particular, heatable and comprises bus bars in the edge region. The bus bars are optically concealed by the opaque cover layer, and if the opaque cover layer is electrically conductive, the electrical contacting of the sun protection coating is at least partially achieved via the opaque cover layer.

[0041] In a second preferred embodiment, the substrate represents the inner pane of the composite pane, and the opaque cover layer is arranged on the outer surface of the substrate and / or on the interior surface of the substrate, preferably on the outer surface of the substrate. The opaque cover layer has proven stable enough to be used on a surface facing the environment; nevertheless, the opaque cover layer is preferably provided on a surface facing the thermoplastic intermediate layer.

[0042] The opaque cover layer can be applied by physical or chemical vapor deposition, i.e., a PVD or CVD process (PVD: physical vapor deposition, OVD: chemical vapor deposition), atmospheric plasma, or cold gas spraying. The opaque cover layer is preferably a coating applied by cathode sputtering ("sputtered"), in particular a coating applied by magnetic field-assisted cathode sputtering ("magnetron sputtered"). An optional sun protection coating can be applied in the same way. This has the advantage that both the opaque cover layer and the sun protection coating can be deposited using the same process.

[0043] The vehicle window comprising a substrate and a second pane laminated together to form a composite pane is preferably a windshield. The optionally present sun protection coating is located in the viewing area of ​​the composite pane. The total transmission through the composite pane, in a configuration as a windshield of a motor vehicle, is at least 70%, based on illuminant A. The term total transmission refers to the method for testing the light transmission of

[0044] Motor vehicle windows.

[0045] The second pane and the substrate preferably contain or consist of glass, particularly preferably flat glass, float glass, quartz glass, borosilicate glass, soda-lime glass, aluminosilicate glass, or clear plastics, preferably rigid clear plastics, in particular polyethylene, polypropylene, polycarbonate, polymethyl methacrylate, polystyrene, polyamide, polyester, polyvinyl chloride and / or mixtures thereof.

[0046] The thickness of the substrate and the optional second pane (outer pane and inner pane) can vary widely and be adapted to the requirements of the individual case. The pane thickness also depends on whether the pane is used as an inner or outer pane. Preferably, panes with standard thicknesses of 0.5 mm to 5 mm are used, and more preferably, 1.0 mm to 2.5 mm. The size of the panes can vary widely and depends on the application.

[0047] The vehicle window can have any three-dimensional shape. Preferably, the outer and inner panes have no shadow zones, allowing them to be coated, for example, by cathode sputtering. The outer and inner panes are preferably flat or slightly or strongly curved in one or more directions of space.

[0048] The thermoplastic intermediate layer contains or consists of at least one thermoplastic, preferably polyvinyl butyral (PVB), ethylene-vinyl acetate (EVA), and / or polyurethane (PU), or copolymers or derivatives thereof, optionally in combination with polyethylene terephthalate (PET). However, the thermoplastic intermediate layer can also contain, for example, polypropylene (PP), polyacrylate, polyethylene (PE), polycarbonate (PC), polymethyl methacrylate, polyvinyl chloride, polyacetate resin, casting resin, acrylate, fluorinated ethylene-propylene, polyvinyl fluoride, and / or ethylene-tetrafluoroethylene, or a copolymer or mixture thereof.

[0049] The thermoplastic intermediate layer is preferably formed as at least one thermoplastic composite film and contains or consists of polyvinyl butyral (PVB), particularly preferably polyvinyl butyral (PVB), and additives known to those skilled in the art, such as plasticizers. The thermoplastic intermediate layer preferably contains at least one plasticizer. Plasticizers are chemical compounds that make plastics softer, more flexible, more supple, and / or more elastic. They shift the thermoelastic range of plastics toward lower temperatures so that the plastics exhibit the desired more elastic properties near the application temperature. Preferred plasticizers are carboxylic acid esters, particularly low-volatility carboxylic acid esters, fats, oils, plastic resins, and camphor. Other plasticizers are preferably aliphatic diesters of triethylene glycol or tetraethylene glycol.Particularly preferred plasticizers are 3G7, 3G8, or 4G7, where the first digit indicates the number of ethylene glycol units and the last digit indicates the number of carbon atoms in the carboxylic acid moiety of the compound. Thus, 3G8 stands for triethylene glycol bis(2-ethylhexanoate), i.e., a compound of the formula C4H9CH(CH2CH3)CO(OCH2CH2)3O2CCH(CH2CH3)C4H9.

[0050] The PVB-based thermoplastic intermediate layer preferably contains at least 3 wt.%, preferably at least 5 wt.%, particularly preferably at least 20 wt.%, even more preferably at least 30 wt.%, and especially at least 35 wt.% of a plasticizer. The plasticizer contains or consists, for example, of triethylene glycol bis(2-ethylhexanoate).

[0051] The thermoplastic intermediate layer can be formed by a single film or by more than one film. The thermoplastic intermediate layer can be formed by one or more thermoplastic films arranged one above the other, with the thickness of the thermoplastic intermediate layer preferably being between 0.25 mm and 1 mm, typically 0.38 mm or 0.76 mm.

[0052] The thermoplastic intermediate layer can also be a functional thermoplastic intermediate layer, in particular an intermediate layer with acoustic damping properties, an infrared-reflecting intermediate layer, an infrared-absorbing intermediate layer, and / or a UV-absorbing intermediate layer. For example, the thermoplastic intermediate layer can also be a bandpass filter film that blocks narrow bands of visible light.

[0053] The invention further comprises a method for producing a vehicle window according to the invention. The method comprises at least the following steps: a) providing a substrate having an exterior surface (side I), an interior surface (side II), and a peripheral edge region (R); b) applying an opaque cover layer comprising at least one titanium aluminum nitride-based layer in the edge region, at least in sections, on the exterior surface (side I) and / or the interior surface (side II).

[0054] The titanium-aluminum nitride-based layer is applied by physical or chemical vapor deposition.

[0055] In a preferred embodiment of the method, in a step c) following step b), a sun protection coating is applied above the opaque cover layer by means of physical vapor deposition. The sun protection coating is preferably heatable, for which purpose electrical conductors for applying an electrical voltage are applied to the sun protection coating.

[0056] In a preferred embodiment, the substrate is laminated after step b) or after step c) with a second pane with an interposition of a thermoplastic intermediate layer to form a composite pane.

[0057] The layer stack is laminated under the influence of heat, vacuum and / or pressure, whereby the individual layers are bonded (laminated) to one another by at least one thermoplastic intermediate layer. Known processes for producing a composite pane can be used. For example, so-called autoclave processes can be carried out at an elevated pressure of approximately 10 bar to 15 bar and temperatures of 130°C to 145°C for approximately 2 hours. Known vacuum bag or vacuum ring processes operate, for example, at approximately 200 mbar and 130°C to 145°C. The outer pane, the inner pane and the thermoplastic intermediate layer can also be pressed into a composite pane in a calender between at least one pair of rollers. Systems of this type are known for producing composite panes and normally have at least one heating tunnel upstream of a pressing plant.The temperature during the pressing process, for example, ranges from 40°C to 150°C. Combinations of calendering and autoclave processes have proven particularly effective in practice. Alternatively, vacuum laminators can be used. These consist of one or more heatable and evacuatable chambers in which the outer and inner panes can be laminated within, for example, approximately 60 minutes at reduced pressures of 0.01 mbar to 800 mbar and temperatures of 80°C to 170°C. The processes for applying the opaque cover layer and the sun protection coating have already been explained in the description of the layers themselves.

[0058] The process features explained in the description of the vehicle window according to the invention also apply to the process according to the invention and vice versa.

[0059] The vehicle window according to the invention is preferably used as a roof window, rear window, side window, or windshield in vehicles for land, air, or water traffic, particularly preferably in motor vehicles. In particular, as a windshield, the vehicle window can be part of a projection arrangement.

[0060] The various embodiments of the invention can be implemented individually or in any combination. In particular, the features mentioned above and those to be explained below can be used not only in the specified combinations, but also in other combinations or on their own, without departing from the scope of the present invention.

[0061] The invention is explained in more detail below using exemplary embodiments, with reference to the accompanying figures. They show, in simplified form and not to scale:

[0062] Figure 1a is a plan view of a vehicle window according to the invention,

[0063] Figure 1b shows a cross-section through the vehicle window of Figure 1a along the section line AA',

[0064] Figure 2a is a plan view of a further embodiment of the vehicle window according to the invention as a composite window,

[0065] Figure 2b shows a cross-section through the vehicle window of Figure 2a along the section line BB',

[0066] Figures 3a-d show various embodiments of the opaque cover layer according to the invention of the vehicle window according to the invention. Figures 1a and 1b show a plan view of a vehicle window 10 according to the invention and a cross-sectional view of the vehicle window 10 along the section line AA'. The vehicle window 10 comprises a substrate 1 with a circumferential edge region R, which is arranged adjacent to the circumferential edge K of the substrate 1. The substrate 1 has an outside surface I, which, when installed in a vehicle body, faces the environment, and an interior-side surface II, which, when installed, is oriented toward the vehicle interior. In the circumferential edge region R, an opaque cover layer 5 is applied to the interior-side surface II. Possible embodiments of the opaque cover layer 5 are described in Figures 3a-d.

[0067] Figures 2a and 2b show a top view and a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of the vehicle window 10 according to the invention as a windshield. The cross-sectional view of Figure 2b corresponds to the section line BB' of the vehicle window 10, as indicated in Figure 2a.

[0068] The vehicle window 10 as a windshield is a composite pane comprising a substrate 1 as the outer pane and a second pane 2 as the inner pane, which are connected via a thermoplastic intermediate layer 3. The substrate 1 has an outer surface I and an inner surface II, while the second pane 2 has an outer surface III and an inner surface IV. The inner surface II of the substrate 1 is connected to the outer surface III of the second pane 2 via the thermoplastic intermediate layer 3 to form a composite pane. The outer surface I of the substrate 1 faces away from the thermoplastic intermediate layer 3 and is simultaneously the outer surface of the composite pane. The inner surface II of the substrate 1 and the outer surface III of the second pane 2 each face the intermediate layer 3.The interior-facing surface IV of the second pane 2 faces away from the thermoplastic intermediate layer 3 and, in the installed state, is simultaneously the surface of the composite pane 10 facing the vehicle interior. It is understood that the composite pane 10 can have any suitable geometric shape and / or curvature. As a composite pane 10, it typically has a convex curvature.

[0069] The substrate 1 and the second pane 2 are each made of glass, preferably thermally toughened soda-lime glass, and are transparent to visible light. The thermoplastic intermediate layer 3 comprises a thermoplastic material, preferably polyvinyl butyral (PVB), ethylene-vinyl acetate (EVA), and / or polyethylene terephthalate (PET).

[0070] The windshield has a circumferential edge K, which is divided into an engine edge M, a roof edge D and two side edges S. The engine edge M is the edge which, when the windshield is installed in a vehicle body, is adjacent to the engine hood. Opposite the engine edge M is the roof edge, which borders the vehicle roof when installed. The engine edge M and the roof edge D are connected by two opposite side edges S. Adjacent to the circumferential edge K is a circumferential edge region R, in which a frame-shaped, circumferential opaque cover layer 5 is applied to the interior-side surface II of the substrate 1. The cover layer 5 is opaque and prevents the view of structures arranged on the inside of the vehicle window 10.The opaque cover layer 5 prevents visibility through the composite pane 10, whereby, for example, an adhesive bead for bonding the composite pane 10 to a vehicle body is not visible from the vehicle's surroundings. The width of the peripheral edge region R is variable along the peripheral edge K. Along the engine edge M, the peripheral region R, with the opaque cover layer 5 located therein, is widened.

[0071] A sun protection coating 4 is applied over the entire surface II of the substrate 1, located above the opaque cover layer 5. The opaque cover layer 5 and the sun protection coating 4 are applied by physical vapor deposition. Possible embodiments of the opaque cover layer 5 are described in Figures 3a-d.

[0072] Figures 3a-d show various embodiments of the opaque cover layer 5 according to the invention, which is applied to the interior-side surface II of the substrate 1. According to Figure 3a, the opaque cover layer 5 consists of a layer 5.1 based on titanium-aluminum nitride. According to Figure 3b, the reflective layer 9 consists of an adhesion-promoting layer 5.2 and a layer 5.1 based on titanium-aluminum nitride, applied in this order to the interior-side surface II of the substrate 1. Figure 3c shows an opaque cover layer 5 consisting of a layer 5.1 based on titanium-aluminum nitride and a protective layer 5.3, applied in this order to the interior-side surface II of the substrate 1. In a further embodiment according to Figure 3d, the opaque cover layer 5 consists of, in this order, starting from the interior-side surface II of the substrate 1, an adhesion-promoting layer 5.2, a layer 5.1 based on titanium aluminum nitride and a protective layer 5.3.

[0073] List of reference symbols

[0074] 10 vehicle window

[0075] 1 substrate

[0076] 2 second slice

[0077] 3 thermoplastic intermediate layer

[0078] 4 Sun protection coating

[0079] 5 opaque cover layer

[0080] 5.1 Titanium-aluminum nitride-based layer

[0081] 5.2 adhesion-promoting layer

[0082] 5.3 Protective layer

[0083] R edge area

[0084] K surrounding edge

[0085] M engine edge

[0086] D roof edge

[0087] S side edges

[0088] I outside surface of the outer pane 1

[0089] 11 Interior surface of the outer pane 1

[0090] III outer surface of the inner pane 2

[0091] IV Interior surface of the inner pane 2

[0092] A-A' section line

[0093] BB' cutting line

Claims

Patent claims Vehicle window (10) at least comprising a substrate (1) made of glass with an outside surface (I), an inside surface (II) and an edge region (R arranged circumferentially directly adjacent to the circumferential edge (K) of the substrate (1), wherein the substrate (1) in the edge region (R) on the outside surface (I) and / or the inside surface (II) at least partially comprises an opaque cover layer (5) and the opaque cover layer (5) comprises at least one layer (5.1) based on titanium aluminum nitride. Vehicle window (10) according to claim 1, wherein the layer (5.1) based on titanium aluminum nitride contains at least 90 wt.% titanium aluminum nitride, preferably at least 95 wt.% titanium aluminum nitride and particularly preferably at least 99 wt.% titanium aluminum nitride. Vehicle window (10) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the layer (5.1) based on titanium-aluminum nitride, doped with chromium, tungsten, molybdenum, zirconium, hafnium, vanadium, niobium, and / or tantalum, and optionally containing carbon and / or oxygen. The vehicle window (10) according to one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the layer (5.1) based on titanium-aluminum nitride has a thickness of 100 nm to 5000 nm, preferably 200 nm to 3000 nm, particularly preferably 500 nm to 2500 nm. Vehicle window (10) according to one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the opaque cover layer (5) comprises an adhesion-promoting layer (5.2) which is applied directly to the substrate (1) between the substrate (1) and the layer (5.1) based on titanium aluminum nitride and preferably has a thickness of 5 nm to 100 nm, particularly preferably 10 nm to 70 nm, in particular from 10 nm to 50 nm and contains, for example, silicon oxide, silicon nitride and / or aluminum nitride.Vehicle window (10) according to one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the opaque cover layer (5) comprises a protective layer (5.3) which is applied on the side facing away from the substrate (1). Surface of the layer (5.1) based on titanium-aluminium nitride is applied thereto.

7. Vehicle window (10) according to one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the opaque covering layer (5) has an electrical conductivity of at least 10' 8 S / cm, preferably at least 10- 7 S / cm.

8. Vehicle window (10) according to one of claims 1 to 7, comprising at least a second pane (2) with an outside surface (III) and an inside surface (IV) and a thermoplastic intermediate layer (3), wherein the thermoplastic intermediate layer (3) covers the inside surface (II) of the substrate (I) and the outside surface (III) of the second pane (2) or the inside surface (IV) of the second pane (2) and the outside surface (I) of the substrate (1) are joined together to form a composite pane.

9. Vehicle window (10) according to claim 8, wherein the substrate (1) forms the outer pane of the composite pane and the opaque cover layer (5) is arranged on the interior-side surface (II) of the substrate (1).

10. Vehicle window (10) according to claim 9, wherein on the interior side surface (II) a sun protection coating (4) is arranged on the cover layer (5), the sun protection coating (4) is preferably heatable and comprises bus bars (6) in the edge region (R).

11. Vehicle window (10) according to claim 8, wherein the substrate (1) forms the inner pane of the composite pane and the opaque cover layer (5) is arranged on the outer surface (I) of the substrate (1) and / or on the inner surface (II) of the substrate (1), preferably on the outer surface (I) of the substrate (1).

12. Method for producing a vehicle window (10) according to one of claims 1 to 11, wherein a) a substrate (1) having an outer surface (I), an inner surface (II) and a peripheral edge region (R) is provided, b) an opaque covering layer (5) at least comprising a layer (5.1) based on titanium-aluminium nitride in the edge region (R) at least in sections on the outside surface (I) and / or the inside surface (II), wherein the layer (5.1) based on titanium aluminum nitride is applied by means of physical or chemical vapor deposition.

13. The method according to claim 12, wherein a sun protection coating (4) is applied to the substrate (1) above the opaque cover layer (5) by means of physical vapor deposition.

14. The method according to claim 12 or 13, wherein the substrate (1) after step b) is laminated with a second pane (2) with the interposition of a thermoplastic intermediate layer (3) to form a composite pane.

15. Use of a vehicle window according to one of claims 1 to 11 as a roof window, rear window, side window, windshield of a vehicle or as a windshield of a projection arrangement.

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