Sensor bracket glazing

Abstract

The invention relates to a glazing 10 for a sensor, comprising an inner glass sheet 1 facing a sensor, a printed layer 2 on a portion of the surface of the glazing 10, an opening 2a in the printed layer 2 for the sensor to sense through the glazing 10, contact pads 3 on the inner glass sheet 1, a heating element 3a for heating the opening 2a electrically connected to the contact pads 3, an adhesive layer 4 bonded to a portion of the inner glass sheet 1, a bracket 5 for the sensor bonded to the adhesive layer 4, a sensor hole 5a in the bracket 5 for positioning the sensor, and a spring contact 6 biased by the adhesive layer 4 against the contact pad 3 and attached to a connector 7 for supplying power from a power source, the spring contact 6 or connector 7 being molded into or fastened to the bracket 5. The invention also relates to a method for manufacturing the glazing and a method for using the glazing as a vehicle window.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a glazing suitable for a sensor, a method for its manufacture and its use. The glazing is a vehicle window having a sensor bracket. [Background technology]

[0002] Glazing for sensors is known, which includes a glass sheet and a bracket for mounting a sensor on the glass sheet. A heating element for defogging or defrosting a heated area on the glazing allows the sensor to receive electromagnetic radiation, such as visible light or radio frequency, through the heated area. The heated area heats up faster than the rest of the glazing, so that useful data from the sensor is available sooner. Because autonomous vehicles and vehicles with advanced driver assistance systems rely on camera data, these vehicles are typically fitted with camera glazing with electric heating elements in the glazing.

[0003] WO2006077149 (Baranski) describes a retaining socket for removably fixing an integrated component, such as a rain sensor, to a glass pane. The integrated component is supplied with energy via a supply line on the glass pane. The energy supply to the heating element on the glass surface is achieved by a permanent connection technique, such as soldering.

[0004] Glazing with electrical connections such as traditional solder connections or adhesive tape patches is expensive to manufacture and increases the cycle time of assembling the brackets to the glass sheets due to the difficulty in precisely locating the components of the electrical connections.

[0005] There is a need for an alternative glazing that includes a bracket and a heating element with an improved electrical connection that provides a solution to the first demand, ease, speed, and precise positioning of the electrical connection. Such a glazing overcomes the shortcomings of the prior art and provides an electrical connection that is precisely located relative to the bracket and heating element.

[0006] According to a first aspect of the invention, there is provided a glazing for a sensor comprising an inner glass sheet facing the sensor, a printing layer on a part of a surface of the glazing, an opening in the printing layer for the sensor to sense through the glazing, contact pads on the inner glass sheet, a heating element for heating the opening electrically connected to the contact pads, an adhesive layer bonded to a part of the inner glass sheet, a bracket for the sensor bonded to the adhesive layer, a sensor hole for positioning the sensor in the bracket, and a spring contact biased against the contact pads by the adhesive layer and attached to a connector for supplying power from a power source, the spring contact or connector being molded into or clipped to the bracket.

[0007] The present invention is highly advantageous because the glazing attached to the connector, molded into or clipped to the bracket with spring contacts biased against the contact pads, replaces the traditional soldered connection, eliminating the risk of failure during use of lead-free soldered connections.

[0008] Providing power through a connector attached to the bracket provides an unexpected synergistic benefit in that the bracket also protects the spring contacts attached to the connector. As a result, the present invention provides a more reliable electrical connection at a lower cost than traditional solder connections or adhesive tape patches.

[0009] Preferably, the glazing further comprises an outer glass sheet joined to the inner glass sheet by a ply of interlayer material.

[0010] Preferably, the sensor hole at least partially overlaps with the opening in the printed layer.

[0011] Preferably, the heating elements at least partially overlap the apertures in the printing layer.

[0012] Preferably, the connector at least partially overlaps the adhesive layer.

[0013] Preferably, the glazing further comprises a spring contact hole in the bracket for locating the spring contact.

[0014] Preferably, the glazing further comprises a cap for covering the spring contact hole.

[0015] Preferably, the glazing further comprises a clip for fastening the spring contact to the bracket.

[0016] Preferably, the bracket has a thickness of 6 mm or less, more preferably 4 mm or less, and most preferably 2 mm or less. A thin bracket thickness is advantageous because it saves costs and allows the bracket to be bent when assembled to the glass sheet.

[0017] Preferably, the heating element is selected from a conductive coating, a conductive track, a conductive wire, or a combination thereof.

[0018] Preferably, the heating element is a conductive track comprising silver prints, silver nanowires, carbon nanotubes, graphene, silver powder, silver spheres, graphite powder, graphite rods, carbon nanotubes, or glass flakes with a conductive coating, or printed using sprayed particles, or shaped as a strip or braid comprising copper. More preferably, the heating element is a conductive wire comprising copper, tungsten, or silver.

[0019] Preferably, the power density in the heating element is between 100 and 3,000 W / m 2, more preferably 200 to 1,000 W / m 2 , most preferably 300 to 600 W / m 2 The range is.

[0020] A second demand is a corresponding manufacturing method that is simple and reduces the cycle time for assembling the brackets on the glass sheets.

[0021] According to a second aspect of the invention, there is provided a method for manufacturing a glazing for a sensor according to the first aspect of the invention, comprising the steps of preparing an inner glass sheet facing a sensor, printing a printing layer on a surface of the glazing, forming an opening in the printing layer for the sensor to sense through the glazing, printing contact pads on the inner glass sheet and forming a heating element for heating the opening electrically connected to the contact pads, bonding an adhesive layer to a portion of the inner glass sheet, bonding a bracket for the sensor to the adhesive layer, forming a sensor hole in the bracket for positioning the sensor, and preparing spring contacts biased against the contact pads by the adhesive layer and attached to a connector for supplying power from a power source, the spring contacts or connector being moulded into or fastened to the bracket.

[0022] Connectors molded or clipped to the bracket make it incredibly easy and quick to precisely position the spring contacts on the contact pads, thereby reducing the cycle time of assembling the bracket to the glass sheet.

[0023] Preferably, the steps of bonding the sensor bracket to the adhesive layer and providing spring contacts biased by the adhesive against the contact pads are performed simultaneously. By simultaneously bonding the bracket to the adhesive layer and providing spring contacts biased by the adhesive against the contact pads, the cycle time for assembling the bracket on the glass sheet is further reduced.

[0024] A third demand is that alternative glazing needs to meet the testing requirements for defogging or defrosting vehicle windows in sensor systems so that useful data can be obtained sooner from the bracket-mounted sensors.

[0025] According to a third aspect of the invention there is provided the use of a glazing according to the first aspect of the invention as a windscreen, rear window, side window or roof window in an automobile for a sensor system enabling an autonomous vehicle or a vehicle equipped with advanced driver assistance systems.

[0026] As a result of the invention, the glazing meets the industry test requirements for demisting and defrosting vehicle windows, for example, with cameras. The invention also meets the test requirements for glass serving as vehicle windshields with camera systems that enable autonomous vehicles or vehicles with advanced driver assistance systems. The electrical connection improved according to the invention has lower resistance than conventional electrical connections, allowing more power to be delivered by the heating element. This allows for faster demisting and defrosting, and faster availability of useful data from the sensors.

[0027] The invention is further disclosed by the non-limiting drawings. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0028] [Figure 1] 13A-13C show an embodiment of the present invention in which spring contacts and / or connectors are molded into the bracket. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA in FIG. [Diagram 3] 1 illustrates an embodiment of the present invention having spring contact holes and clips. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA in FIG. [Diagram 5] FIG. 4 is as in FIG. 3 and shows an embodiment of the invention having a cap. [Figure 6]FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA in FIG. 5. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is as in FIG. 6, but showing a cross section with the printed layer on surface S2. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view as in FIG. 7, but with printed layers on surfaces S2 and S4. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0029] 1 shows a glazing 10 for a sensor according to the invention, comprising an inner glass sheet 1 facing the sensor. Optionally, an outer glass sheet 12 is bonded to the inner glass sheet 1 by a ply of interlayer material 11.

[0030] The inner glass sheet 1 and the outer glass sheet 12 are preferably soda-lime-silica glass produced using the float process. The glass thickness is preferably in the range of 2-12 mm. The inner glass sheet 1 or the outer glass sheet 12 can be tempered glass with a surface stress of more than 65 MPa, heat-strengthened glass with a surface stress in the range of 40-55 MPa, semi-tempered glass with a surface stress in the range of 20-25 MPa, or annealed glass. The interlayer material 11 is any thermoplastic resin, preferably polyvinyl butyral (PVB).

[0031] The printing layer 2 is printed on the inner surface S2 of the outer sheet 12 and / or the inner surface S4 of the inner glass sheet 1.

[0032] The printed layer 2 may comprise a black enamel deposited by screen printing a black ink in selected areas on the inner or outer glass sheet 1, 12. The inner or outer glass sheet 1, 12 is then fired at a predetermined temperature to turn the printed ink into a hard enamel. Advantageously, the printed layer 2 extends around the periphery of the glazing 10 to mask an adhesive material, such as polyurethane PU, used to bond the glazing 10 to the vehicle body (not shown).

[0033] An opening 2a is arranged in the printed layer 2 so that a sensor can sense through the glazing 10. The sensor can be a camera, an RFID tag, or any electronic device that transmits or receives electromagnetic radiation, such as visible light or radio frequency. For example, a vehicle window allows data acquisition for toll collection or for an advanced driver assistance system (ADAS) that assists the driver with driving or parking functions. The sensor is mounted on a bracket 5 on the surface of the inner glass sheet 1 and, if necessary, a large opening 2b is formed in the printed layer 2, for example as the field of view of the vehicle driver.

[0034] Contact pads 3 are provided on the inner glass sheet 1. The contact pads 3 are typically printed using a silver-containing ink. The contact pads 3 may be printed onto the printing layer 2 adjacent the openings 2a as shown in the figure. Advantageously, the printing layer 2 masks the contact pads 3 from view.

[0035] A heating element 3a for heating the opening 2a is provided on a first surface of the inner glass sheet 1 and is electrically connected to a contact pad 3. The heating element 3a is typically a conductive line including a silver print. The contact pad 3 and the heating element 3a may comprise the same material and may be printed simultaneously. The heating element 3a extends adjacent to or within the opening 2a.

[0036] The adhesive layer 4 is bonded to a portion of the inner glass sheet 1. The adhesive layer 4 may be applied to the inner glass sheet 1, or to the bracket 5. The bracket 5 is then pressed towards the inner glass sheet 1. Multiple adhesive layers 4 may bond the bracket 5 to the inner glass sheet 1. For example, two adhesive layers 4 as shown. The multiple adhesive layers 4 may form a dashed line. The adhesive layer 4 may be polyurethane (PU).

[0037] The sensor bracket 5 is bonded to the adhesive layer 4 and allows the sensor to be firmly attached to the inner glass sheet 1. A sensor hole 5a formed in the bracket 5 is for positioning the sensor, for example concentrically with the opening 2a in the printing layer 2. The bracket 5 can be made of a metal such as steel or aluminum, or a plastic such as polybutylene terephthalate (PBT), optionally mixed with polycarbonate (PC), acrylonitrile styrene acrylate (ASA), acrylonitrile styrene (SAN), polyamide (PA) or any combination thereof, or polyetherimide (PEI). The plastic is preferably a thermoplastic material suitable for injection molding.

[0038] The spring contacts 6 are biased against the contact pads 3 by an adhesive layer 4 and are attached to a connector 7 for receiving power from a power source.

[0039] Figure 2 shows a cross section of a glazing 10 according to the invention along line AA in figure 1. In this embodiment, the spring contact 6 and the connector 7 are moulded into the bracket 5. The sensor hole 5a is concentric with the opening 2a. Two adhesive layers 4 are positioned to bond to either side of the spring contact 6, maintaining the biasing force against the contact pad 3 and preventing corrosion.

[0040] Optionally, the inner glass sheet 1 and the outer glass sheet 12 are joined by a ply of interlayer material 11 as shown.

[0041] Figure 3 shows a glazing 10 according to the invention similar to Figure 1, but in which the bracket 5 is provided with a spring contact hole 5b which is further provided with a clip 9 for fastening the spring contact 6 or connector 7 to the bracket 5, with the advantage that the alignment of the spring contact 6 with the contact pad 3 can be visually inspected and the bracket 5 can be positioned quickly and accurately.

[0042] Figure 4 shows a cross section of a glazing 10 according to the invention along line AA in figure 3. The clip 9 may have a shape that matches the spring contact hole 5b, such as a circle or a ring. Alternatively, the clip 9 may be formed of multiple clips, such as two clips on opposite sides of the spring contact hole 5b.

[0043] FIG. 5 shows a glazing 10 according to the invention similar to that of FIG. 3, but further comprising a cap 8 covering the spring contact hole 5 b and the clip 9 .

[0044] Figure 6 shows a cross section of a glazing 10 according to the invention along line AA in figure 5. The cap 8 may have a shape, for example a circle or a ring, that matches the spring contact hole 5b. The cap 8 may fix a clip 9 of the plurality of clips by means of a thread, a lip or a bayonet fastener formed on the side of the spring contact hole 5b.

[0045] FIG. 7 shows a cross section along line AA in FIG. 5 of a glazing 10 according to the invention, but with a printed layer 2 on the surface S2 of the outer glass sheet 12.

[0046] Figure 8 shows a cross-section along line AA in Figure 5 of a glazing 10 according to the present invention, with a total of two printed layers 2, one on surface S2 of the outer glass sheet 12 and one on surface S4 of the inner glass sheet 1.

[0047] References in the drawings are as follows: [Explanation of symbols]

[0048] 1 Inner glass sheet 2 Printed Layers 2a aperture 2b Large opening 3 Contact Pads 3a Heating element 4 Adhesive layer 5 Bracket 5a Sensor hole 5b Spring contact hole 6 Spring Contacts 7 Connectors 8 Cap 9 Clips 10 Glazing 11 Ply of intermediate layer material 12 Outer glass sheet S1 surface 1 S2 surface 2 S3 surface 3 S4 surface 4

Claims

1. A glazing 10 for a sensor, comprising: an inner glass sheet 1 facing the sensor; a printing layer 2 on a portion of the surface of the glazing 10; an opening 2a in the printing layer 2 for the sensor to sense through the glazing 10; contact pads 3 on said inner glass sheet 1; a heating element 3a electrically connected to the contact pad 3 for heating the opening 2a; an adhesive layer 4 bonded to a portion of the inner glass sheet 1; a bracket 5 for the sensor bonded to the adhesive layer 4; a sensor hole 5a for positioning the sensor in the bracket 5; a spring contact 6 biased against the contact pad 3 by the adhesive layer 4 and attached to a connector 7 for supplying power from a power source, the spring contact 6 or the connector 7 being molded into or clipped to the bracket 5; A glazing 10 for a sensor comprising:

2. The glazing (10) of claim 1, further comprising an outer glass sheet (12) joined to the inner glass sheet (1) by a ply of interlayer material (11).

3. 3. The glazing (10) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the sensor hole (5a) at least partially overlaps the opening (2a) in the printing layer (2).

4. 3. The glazing (10) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the heating element (3a) at least partially overlaps the opening (2a) in the printing layer (2).

5. 3. The glazing (10) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the connector (7) at least partially overlaps the adhesive layer (4).

6. 3. The glazing (10) according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising a spring contact hole (5b) in the bracket (5) for positioning the spring contact (6).

7. 7. The glazing (10) of claim 6, further comprising a cap (8) for covering the spring contact hole (5b).

8. The glazing (10) of claim 1 or 2, further comprising a clip (9) for fastening the spring contact (6) to the bracket (5).

9. 3. The glazing (10) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the bracket (5) has a thickness of 6 mm or less, more preferably 4 mm or less, most preferably 2 mm or less.

10. 3. The glazing (10) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the heating element (3a) is selected from a conductive coating, a conductive track, a conductive wire, or a combination thereof.

11. 3. A glazing (10) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the heating element (3a) is a conductive track comprising a silver print, silver nanowires, carbon nanotubes or graphene.

12. The power density of the heating element 3a is 100 to 3,000 W / m ２ , more preferably 200 to 1,000 W / m ２ , most preferably 300 to 600 W / m ２ 3. The glazing (10) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the thickness is in the range of

13. providing an inner glass sheet 1 facing said sensor; printing a printing layer 2 onto the surface of said glazing 10; forming an opening 2a in the printing layer 2 for the sensor to sense through the glazing 10; printing contact pads 3 on said inner glass sheet 1; forming a heating element 3a for heating said opening 2a, electrically connected to said contact pad 3; bonding an adhesive layer 4 to a portion of the inner glass sheet 1; bonding the sensor bracket 5 to the adhesive layer 4; forming a sensor hole 5a in the bracket 5 for positioning the sensor; providing spring contacts 6 biased against the contact pads 3 by the adhesive layer 4 and attached to a connector 7 for supplying power from a power source, the spring contacts 6 or the connector 7 being molded into or fastened to the bracket 5; 10. A method for manufacturing the sensor glazing of claim 1, comprising:

14. 14. A method for manufacturing a glazing (10) according to claim 13, wherein the step of bonding the bracket (5) for the sensor to the adhesive layer (4) and the step of providing the spring contact (6) biased against the contact pad (3) by the adhesive layer (4) are performed simultaneously.

15. 10. Use of the glazing 10 according to claim 1 as a windshield, rear window, side window or roof window of an automobile for a sensor system enabling autonomous vehicles or vehicles with advanced driver assistance systems.

Images