Automotive window laminated structures, glass sheets for use in laminates, and methods for making automotive window laminated structures

Abstract

The present invention relates to an automotive window laminate structure comprising parallel, spaced-apart inner and outer glass sheets, each having an inwardly facing surface and an outwardly facing surface, at least one thermoplastic laminate sheet structure disposed substantially entirely between the outwardly facing surface of the inner glass sheet and the inwardly facing surface of the outer glass sheet, at least one reflective coating, particularly a heat and / or infrared reflective coating, on at least a portion of the inwardly facing surface of the outer glass sheet, and at least one ceramic band extending along at least a portion of the periphery of the inwardly facing surface of the outer glass sheet. The present invention also relates to a method of manufacturing the automotive window laminate structure.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an automotive window laminate structure, and the present invention also relates to a method for manufacturing an automotive window laminate structure. [Background technology]

[0002] Nowadays, functional layers comprising at least one active film layer, such as polymer-dispersed liquid crystal (PDLC), electrochrome, and other functional films such as suspended particle devices (SPD), are widely used in architectural glass, but also, more rarely, in the automotive industry. There are several reasons for this, including, generally speaking, the high demands placed on the automotive industry in terms of both safety regulations and quality issues. Active or functional layers, such as SPD, PDLC, electrochrome, or electrophoretic films, all have in common that they are constructed from two opposing thermoplastic layers—often ITO-coated PET, PEN, PC, or PMMA layers—with a conductive coating on the opposing faces, with the active film layer between them. All have in common that when an electric current flows from the first conductive layer through the liquid crystal to the second conductive layer, the crystals orient themselves to the current, resulting in a change in color, light transmittance, and / or haze level. When such a layer is incorporated into a laminated glass structure, it is referred to as a functional layer. This is typically achieved by a lamination process using a tie layer and a frame layer.

[0003] These active or functional films, as well as more passive functional films such as photochromes, thermochromic films, photopolymer films, and solar cell films, are commonly affected by high temperatures. High temperatures can occur when automotive glass equipped with these active or passive films is placed in direct sunlight. The temperature of the glass can rise to levels that can damage the active and / or passive films. Depending on the temperature, the active and / or passive films incorporated into the window laminate may deteriorate and lose their functionality. Because many automotive transportation vehicles are parked outdoors most of the time, they are exposed to sunlight most of the time. UV light is also known to be capable of damaging active and / or passive films. However, these harmful UV rays can be at least partially filtered out by a layer of glass or a combined layer. Transparent glass is known to block at least UVC and UVB spectrum light, but it can also filter out some UVA spectrum light. Therefore, such UV light does not pose a significant problem for the degradation of the active and / or passive films. This is because the transparent layer of glass can provide sufficient protection. However, such UV light may not be the direct cause of degradation, but may indirectly contribute to the degradation of the active and / or passive films. Indeed, some of the sunlight is absorbed by the sheet of glass (or other component), resulting in an increase in the temperature of the sheet of glass. The heat absorbed by the glass may result in the degradation of the active and / or passive films of the above-mentioned automotive window laminate structures.

[0004] Automotive window laminate structures are particularly susceptible to heating in the region of the window laminate's shielding strip. This shielding strip is located mostly around the periphery of the window laminate, but also around the rearview mirror area. Sensors and / or cameras may be located in the region of the shielding strip, where cutouts may be provided. The shielding strip may be at least partially comprised of silkscreened and / or digitally printed ceramic enamel. These areas are particularly susceptible to heating because the shielding strip is most often black or nearly black. This region of the window laminate absorbs most of the solar radiation and can reach temperatures of 90°C or higher due to the absorbed heat. Heat generation in automotive window laminates is a serious problem for laminated automotive window laminates that include active and / or passive films or layers. This is particularly problematic when the active and / or passive films / layers extend below the shielding strip. High temperature gradients can develop due to the very high temperatures in the glass in the region of the shielding strip. Such high temperatures can also induce damage to the active and / or passive films / layers. For example, high temperatures in the PDLC laminate stack allow moisture, plasticizers, and other elements to migrate more quickly. As a result, a reaction between the migrated elements and the liquid crystal can occur, causing the liquid crystal to turn clear. This phenomenon can occur more frequently near the edges of the window laminate (i.e., in the region of the obscuration strip) due to the shortest distance between the bonding layer and the active and / or passive films / layers. High temperatures accelerate this process.

[0005] This can be solved by not incorporating active and / or passive films / layers below the shielding strip. On the one hand, it may be desirable to extend the active layer below the shielding strip. For example, electrical connections may be hidden from view in this way for other aesthetic reasons, such as to conceal cut lines or protective tape within the layer. On the other hand, it may be desirable to block the complete light spectrum in portions of the active film / layer where improved aging protection is desired, such as flexible printed circuits connecting to an ITO or silver-coated layer of an active film / layer such as PDLC, SPD, or EC. The most affected portions of the film, which are the edges, may thus be hidden below the hottest areas of the car glass.

[0006] Another well-known problem is that these aforementioned (smart) active films / layers have a certain temperature bandwidth within which they can be switched at an acceptable speed, hence the so-called operating temperature window. Generally, at low temperatures, for example, the alignment of liquid crystals slows down, and in extremely low temperature environments, the switchable properties of such films / layers may even cease to function altogether.

[0007] This problem can be solved by adding or increasing the concentration of additives, such as alcohol, in the liquid crystal formulation. However, this has a well-known negative side effect: additives generally decrease the opacity of the film / layer at higher temperatures. This is related to the behavior of liquid crystals at high temperatures, which aligns them by themselves. This can be mitigated by increasing the switching power, for example, to a 70-volt square wave, but this solution is not compatible with automotive systems for safety reasons. In the automotive industry, preferred applications consist of a maximum 48-volt sine wave to minimize interference with radio waves. Patent Document 1 by AGP (International Application No. PCT / IB2018 / 059793) solves part of this problem by heating the glass, but this has the significant disadvantage of consuming power, which is particularly disadvantageous in electric vehicles. Second, the best-known resistive coating for powering heating systems is the Ag2 or Ag3 coating, which is commonly used on Face 3 of heated float glass. On the other hand, the Face2 is better suited to protecting the smart film, but is not as good at hiding the power connections from view, and therefore has rather large aesthetic problems.

[0008] Thus, there exists a need to reduce the amount of heat absorbed in window laminates, particularly in the region of the shielding strip. Commercially available coatings have excellent infrared light-reflecting properties, which can reflect at least a portion of the light and reduce the amount of heat absorbed. Examples of such coatings include silver sputter coatings, such as AG or double silver AG2, triple silver AG3 to AG4, and AG5 coatings. These coatings are typically sputtered onto glass. Due to their infrared-reflecting properties, these coatings can effectively reduce the amount of energy absorbed by the glass, bonding layer, or other underlying materials when viewed from the sun toward the interior of the vehicle (from the exterior to the interior). However, it has been discovered that these coatings are known to be incompatible with the ceramic enamel that forms the shielding strip. This is at least partially related to the high melting point of the ceramic enamel. Generally, all ceramic enamels contain a flux to lower the melting point of the ceramic enamel to a level that is compatible with the temperature at which the glass will be processed. For tempered glass, this is in the range of 500-800°C. For semi-tempered or annealed laminated bent glass, fluxes are added to the ceramic enamel to lower the melting point to 500-650°C. At these temperatures, some of the components used in the silver coating can migrate and react with the components used in the ceramic enamel. Furthermore, components of the ceramic enamel can migrate into the silver coating. This is undesirable, as it can impair reflective properties or even damage functional films / layers.

[0009] Ceramic enamels contain additives to withstand acid rain, salt damage, and extreme weather, as well as color-adjusting additives or can be treated to adjust for the manufacturing process (e.g., press bending, where the bending tool comes into contact with the hot ceramic enamel and does not adhere to the tool, is necessary to prevent additives in the ceramic enamel from adhering to the tool or the laminated glass sheet during pair bending). The incompatibility of ceramic enamel with silver sputter coatings can be caused by migration of components from the ceramic enamel to the sputter coating, particularly at high temperatures, such as when bending glass, and by corrosion and / or reaction with the sputtered molecular material on the glass. This can result in a hazy or sandblasted appearance of the glass, as well as a color change to yellow, red, or a greenish tint to the (originally) black ceramic and / or silver coating. This can be caused by layer thickness variations between the silver layers, as these layers are adjusted to specific thicknesses that filter out corresponding light spectrums, similar to the mechanism of dichroic filters. The color of the silver coating can also change due to modifications of the silver coating itself. The silver coating can form compounds such as AgCl or form Ag nanoparticles that absorb or diffract light. Silver can also migrate through the stack, possibly to the ceramic layer. These color shifts can have variations that correspond to the specific bending temperature of the glass. To reduce the loss of infrared reflective properties of the reflective layer, a dielectric ceramic, such as Si3N4, can be deposited between the ceramic enamel and the silver coating layer.

[0010] Today, when a silver-based sputtered infrared-reflective (IRR) coating is used in automotive laminated glass, the silver coating (IRR coating) is generally placed on Face 3 of the first (outward-facing) surface of the second glass (the inner sheet of glass) (when viewed from the outside inward). Therefore, Face 1 may be considered the surface of the outer glass sheet that comes into contact with rainwater, while Face 4 is the surface of the inner glass sheet that faces the interior of the vehicle. Another way to prevent or avoid incompatibility between the shielding band and the infrared-reflective coating, particularly a silver coating, is to overlay / overcoat the reflective coating on top of the ceramic band rather than placing the shielding band (ceramic band) on top of the reflective coating when viewed from the outside inward. This can be applied, particularly, to Face 2 (the inner surface of the outer glass sheet), so that the reflective coating is applied on top of the ceramic band. This causes a color change, but this is not visible from the exterior of the window because the reflective coating connects to the inner surface of the glass. However, this solution is not suitable because the reflective coating is located on the back side of the ceramic band (when viewed from the outside in) and does not solve the temperature difference problem. To be able to withstand higher heat or infrared loads, the reflective coating must be located on the front side of the ceramic band to prevent it from heating up. However, prior art solutions result in significant color changes and incompatibility as described above. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0011] [Patent Document 1] International Publication No. 2019 / 111235 Summary of the Invention

[0012] A first objective is to provide an automotive window laminate that can withstand higher infrared or heat loads without damaging the active and / or passive films or layers.

[0013] A second object of the present invention is to provide an automotive window laminate with a silver-based coating that is substantially less susceptible to corrosion.

[0014] A third object of the present invention is to provide an automotive window having enhanced heat reflective properties while maintaining a good exterior appearance of the window, and in particular to prevent discoloration of the shade strip.

[0015] A fourth object of the present invention is to provide an automotive window laminate that allows for better protection of the functional layer.

[0016] The present invention provides an automotive window laminated structure comprising an inner glass sheet and an outer glass sheet, the inner glass sheet and the outer glass sheet being substantially parallel and spaced apart from each other, each having an inner surface and an outer surface, preferably at least one thermoplastic laminated sheet structure at least partially, preferably substantially entirely, disposed between the outer surface of the inner glass sheet and the inner surface of the outer glass sheet, at least one reflective coating, in particular a heat and / or infrared reflective coating, provided on at least a portion of the inner surface of the outer glass sheet, and at least one ceramic band extending along at least a portion of the periphery of the inner surface of the outer glass sheet, preferably wherein the at least one reflective coating and the at least one ceramic band at least partially overlap, and optionally wherein at least a portion of the at least one ceramic band extends beyond the periphery of the at least one reflective coating. In particular, the at least one ceramic band is preferably provided directly on the at least one reflective coating.

[0017] In the context of the present invention, the inward-facing surfaces of the outer and inner glass sheets are sometimes referred to as Face 2 and Face 4, respectively. The outward-facing surfaces of the outer and inner glass sheets are sometimes referred to as Face 1 and Face 3, respectively. The ceramic band is sometimes referred to as a shielding band or layer. Optimal heat reflection can be achieved by adding a heat and / or infrared reflective coating to at least a portion, preferably the entire, of Face 2. That is, according to the prior art, if a reflective layer is located, for example, on Face 3 or at least below the ceramic band (when viewed inward from the outside), heat can still penetrate the automotive window laminate. Also, according to the prior art, when a reflective coating is added to Face 2, it typically overlaps the shielding band only in the fade-out portion (if any). Meanwhile, in the fade-out portion, color changes due to incompatibility are barely observable to the naked eye. Furthermore, it is only known to provide a reflective coating on the inward-facing surface of the shielding band, which also does not reflect infrared or heat before it reaches the shielding or ceramic band.

[0018] According to the present invention, by applying a reflective coating to substantially the entire Face 2, at least a portion of the heat or infrared light is already blocked or reflected before it is absorbed by the ceramic band. This can prevent the ceramic band from reaching temperatures that accelerate the degradation of the functional layer. This can significantly reduce the infrared and / or heat load reaching the functional film / layer of the automotive window laminate structure. This is because the reflective coating is located in a position before sunlight reaches the film or layer. The amount of energy absorbed by the shielding band can be reduced in this way because the reflective coating is located outside the ceramic band (when viewed from the outside inward). This is particularly beneficial when sensitive functional films or layers are incorporated into the window laminate, at least in the area where the reflective coating and the ceramic band overlap. This can be understood as the ceramic band being provided underneath the reflective coating (when viewed from the outside inward).

[0019] In this way, at least a portion of the sunlight traveling inward from the outside into the window laminate is at least partially blocked or reflected by the reflective coating before hitting the ceramic band (and being absorbed as heat). Therefore, it is preferred that the reflective coating be applied directly to the inward-facing surface (Face 2) of the outer glass sheet. Preferably, at least a portion of the ceramic band, particularly the overlap with the reflective coating, is applied to the reflective coating so that the ceramic band is located underneath the reflective coating (when viewed inward from the outside). Preferably, at least a portion of the ceramic band is applied directly to the inward-facing surface of the outer glass sheet. In particular, it is preferred that the portion of the ceramic band that extends beyond the periphery of the at least one layer of reflective coating be applied directly to Face 2 of the window laminate, and thus to the inward-facing surface of the outer glass sheet. In this way, at least this portion of the ceramic band can locally seal the reflective coating. This is due to the ceramic band's properties, which make it more opaque than the reflective coating. Thus, the ceramic band overlaps the reflective coating and extends beyond the reflective coating along at least a portion of the periphery, thus locally sealing the reflective coating, particularly from the lateral side.

[0020] The overlap or sealing also reduces the number of different color areas, which contributes to a better aesthetic appearance. Alternatively, the ceramic band can be said to extend to a portion of the inward-facing surface of the outer glass sheet that is free of the reflective coating. It is also conceivable that the reflective coating covers substantially the entire inward-facing surface (Face 2) of the outer glass sheet. In such a case, extending beyond the periphery can be understood as the ceramic band extending toward the side edges of the (outer) glass sheet and thus locally sealing the reflective coating as well. The difference is that the seal is established at the side of the glass sheet. However, the ceramic band can be applied relatively thinly (10 to 100 microns), so the impact on dimensions can be relatively small.

[0021] In the present invention, the at least one ceramic band may be specifically understood as a solid ceramic band. Here, a ceramic band may be understood to mean a solid and / or continuous band and / or surface. For example, it is known to provide a fade-out pattern adjacent to the inner periphery of a (solid) ceramic band in automotive glazing. However, this fade-out pattern is not understood as a ceramic band according to the present invention. The fade-out is considered to have a primarily aesthetic purpose and does not pose the same compatibility and temperature issues as the ceramic band according to the present invention. Therefore, when an overlap with a ceramic band is described, this should be understood as an overlap with a solid portion of the ceramic band. When reference is made to a ceramic band, i.e., at least one ceramic band, a second ceramic band, or a third ceramic band, reference may also be made to at least one ceramic layer, at least one second ceramic layer, or at least one third ceramic layer. In this regard, a band is understood as a layer of material extending along a specific path of a glass sheet, preferably of a specific thickness, which usually corresponds to the width of a commonly used shielding band.

[0022] The present invention particularly relates to the use of ceramic bands, particularly enamel ceramic bands, as opposed to coated shielding bands. These coated shielding bands are typically applied after bending the glass and are formed by conventional coating or by coloring a thermoplastic layer, such as a bonding layer. While this can provide a reflective coating to Face 2, it does not provide the same advantageous effects. For example, coated shielding bands are much more prone to reflective coating than ceramic shielding bands. Furthermore, coated shielding bands cannot be applied before firing or bending the glass. This is because this would burn the paint, and printing can be easier and more accurate when done on a flat material. In this application, when a ceramic band is mentioned, it may be replaced with a ceramic enamel band.

[0023] This allows the present invention to provide an automotive window laminate structure that can withstand higher heat or infrared loads impinging on the window. This is because the reflective coating is provided on Face 2 of the window laminate, which prevents the ceramic band from reaching temperatures that would cause component and / or particle migration and damage the functional layer. Furthermore, because the ceramic band has good sealing properties, the present invention also provides for better sealing of the silver-based infrared-reflective coating (if applied), allowing the ceramic band to seal the silver coating because it extends beyond the coating to provide a seal (preferably impermeable). Furthermore, the present invention allows for a better exterior appearance of the window because the ceramic band does not react with the reflective coating, at least in part due to the ceramic band extending beyond the periphery of the reflective coating. The automotive window laminate may, in particular, be a curved automotive window laminate.

[0024] Preferably, although optionally, said overlap between the reflective coating and a portion of the ceramic band is formed, in particular by the second ceramic band and / or the third ceramic band, if added, whereby the at least one ceramic band, in particular the black ceramic band, does not necessarily overlap and extend beyond the at least one reflective coating, provided that the second and / or the third ceramic band, if added, overlap the reflective coating and extend at least partially beyond this reflective coating, thereby forming at least part of the seal. This can provide an automotive window laminate structure comprising an inner glass sheet and an outer glass sheet, the inner glass sheet and the outer glass sheet being parallel and spaced apart from each other, each having an inwardly facing surface and an outwardly facing surface; at least one thermoplastic laminate sheet structure, substantially entirely disposed between the outwardly facing surface of the inner glass sheet and the inwardly facing surface of the outer glass sheet; at least one reflective coating, particularly a heat and / or infrared reflective coating, disposed on at least a portion of the inwardly facing surface of the outer glass sheet; and at least one ceramic band extending along at least a portion, preferably a peripheral portion, of the inwardly facing surface of the outer glass sheet, and further comprising at least one second ceramic band. Preferably, the at least one second ceramic band is different from the at least one ceramic band. Optionally, at least one third ceramic band may be added. In this regard, at least one of the at least one second ceramic band and / or the at least one third ceramic band is preferably disposed between the at least one ceramic band and the reflective coating. Optionally, at least one of the ceramic bands at least partially overlaps and extends beyond the periphery of the reflective coating. In this application, when reference is made to a ceramic band, it may also be referred to as a ceramic layer or a ceramic coating.The term band may be interpreted as a ceramic layer having a specific width, which is not necessarily a constant width.

[0025] The at least one reflective coating and the at least one ceramic band, the at least one second ceramic band, and / or the at least one third ceramic band at least partially overlap, with at least a portion of the at least one ceramic band extending at least partially beyond the periphery of the at least one reflective coating. However, it has been found that adding a substantially transparent and / or translucent second ceramic band between the reflective coating and the at least one ceramic band significantly reduces the color shift of the obscuration band when viewed from the outside. Therefore, it is not necessary for one of the ceramic bands to extend beyond the periphery of the reflective coating to achieve a better window appearance. However, the use of a simple transparent or translucent second ceramic layer and / or band can achieve a similar effect. It is contemplated that the transparent ceramic layer, particularly the transparent ceramic enamel, may be at least partially formed by an overglaze. Surprisingly, it has been found that an overglaze, which can be used for pottery and roofing tiles, as well as for embedding particles in anti-slip glass, is suitable for use as the transparent ceramic band in the solution of the present invention. Thus, when reference is made to a transparent ceramic layer, this may be formed in part by the overglaze layer. Throughout this application, the second ceramic band may otherwise be referred to as an intermediate ceramic band and / or intermediate ceramic layer. Sealing of the first ceramic band may also contribute to a more uniform and better aesthetic appearance.

[0026] The present invention also contributes to improved reflective properties, thereby increasing the stability of liquid crystal formulations. That is, reducing the range of high temperatures to which automotive window laminates are exposed also reduces the performance issues of liquid crystal formulations. Therefore, liquid crystal formulations may be adapted to switch at low temperatures, eliminating the need for expensive, power-consuming, and therefore undesirable, heating systems and the need for increased additives that affect the aesthetic appearance of the window. In fact, this will also help reduce the temperature inside a vehicle when parked in the sun, thereby further saving energy by reducing the power required for cooling.

[0027] Preferably, the edges along at least a portion of the periphery of at least one of the inner and / or outer glass sheets are curved, beveled, and / or chamfered. In this regard, the beveled edges may be at least partially upwardly inclined and / or outwardly inclined. Furthermore, the bevel may be provided on either the inwardly facing and / or outwardly facing surfaces of the inner and / or outer glass sheets. Preferably, the edges of each of the inner and outer glass sheets are provided with a curved edge at least partially, preferably along the entire periphery. This may contribute to better distribution of stress within the glass sheets. In this regard, it is preferred that the ceramic band extend along at least a portion of the periphery of the outer glass sheet up to a portion of the curved and / or beveled portion. That is, the edges of the ceramic band may be partially bent and / or folded along the edge of the glass sheet to seal the reflective coating, particularly to provide a seal. Preferably, the curved, beveled, and / or chamfered portion is substantially free of the reflective coating. Providing a ceramic band that extends into the beveled, curved, or chamfered portion in this manner defines that the ceramic band extends beyond the reflective coating, thus providing a seal thereto. Sealing the reflective coating not only prevents moisture from penetrating and damaging the coating, but can also contribute to a better aesthetic appearance. Therefore, it is preferred that at least one ceramic band at least partially overlaps the curved and / or beveled portion. The curvature, beveling, or chamfering can be added after the application of the reflective coating of the window laminate. The process of adding the curvature, beveling, or chamfering also provides an edge of the glass sheet that is free of the coating. This can therefore ensure that a portion of the glass sheet is free of the reflective coating, thus allowing the ceramic band to form a seal or part of a seal.Preferably, the edges are flat polished edges, beveled edges, (full, demi, or half) bullnose edges, pencil polish edges, (single, double, or triple) ogee edges, and / or Boston profile edges. Preferably, the glass edges are at least partially asymmetric. Preferably, at least the outer glass sheet is at least asymmetrically curved, beveled, and / or machined. In particular, more material is removed from the inner-facing surface of this outer glass sheet. In particular, the asymmetrically machined edges locally remove substantially all of the reflective coating on the inner-facing surface of the outer glass sheet. This generally allows for a suitable curved or machined edge to be obtained, and also allows for the removal of the reflective coating in a single step. Preferably, approximately 2.5 mm of the reflective coating is removed.

[0028] Preferably, the automotive window laminate structure includes at least one second ceramic band, preferably extending along at least a portion of the periphery of the inward-facing surface of the outer glass sheet. It has been found that the second ceramic band can enhance compatibility with the reflective coating, surprisingly enhancing the ceramic band's ability to withstand heat without affecting its appearance. In particular, it has been found that when the second ceramic band is at least partially translucent and / or transparent, particularly a translucent and / or transparent ceramic enamel, it provides enhanced sealing to the reflective coating, reducing corrosion. Surprisingly, it has been discovered that the use of a transparent and / or translucent coating and / or ceramic band allows for improved sealing of the reflective coating. Because the transparent and / or translucent second ceramic band contains fewer additives, less incompatibility is observed. It is conceivable that the second ceramic band is at least partially disposed between the at least one ceramic band and the at least one reflective coating. This contributes, in particular, to a more consistent appearance of the window. It is known that the reflective coating can affect the color of the ceramic band at elevated temperatures, such as during bending of the window laminate. This is particularly true when the at least one ceramic band is partially composed of black ceramic enamel. When a second ceramic band is provided at least partially between the reflective coating and the at least one ceramic band, the color shift of the at least one ceramic band is significantly reduced. Optionally, the second ceramic band is at least partially composed of Jetver Ultra 8S001_MHM, commercially available from Tecglass. This results in a deeper black shielding band when viewed from the outside of the window. The black color may be measured using any illumination spectrophotometer, and in particular, a D65 / 10 illumination spectrophotometer can be used to measure the color of the ceramic band. Preferably, the second ceramic band contains fewer metal elements than the at least one ceramic band.

[0029] Typically, metallic elements present in dark ceramic enamel are at least partially responsible for the incompatibility between the ceramic band and the reflective coating. Furthermore, other additives may also contribute to the incompatibility. This can be reduced and / or eliminated by providing a transparent and / or opaque second ceramic band, particularly in the reflective coating and optionally in an opaque third ceramic band. This allows for a wider range of compatible materials to be selected. Preferably, the second ceramic band is composed of a transparent ceramic enamel, particularly an enamel ink; a particularly suitable example is 7T001_MMH Jetver Transparent, marketed by Tecglass.

[0030] Non-limiting experiments have shown that when a ceramic black enamel (available from Tecglass as 1A004_MMM Jetver Black automotive) comprising at least one ceramic band is printed in direct contact with the reflective coating on AG2-coated soda-lime glass (commercially available from AGC as Iris) and dried and cured at 520°C, a temperature typically too low for bending glass, the resulting ceramic enamel print appears purple when viewed externally (through the glass above the ceramic enamel). This is due to a high-temperature reaction between the components of the reflective coating and the components of the ceramic band. The appearance is non-uniformly matte. When the sintering temperature is increased to 590°C, a temperature typically too high for bending glass, the observed color of these samples changes to amber / gold. Meanwhile, a green color can also be observed at intermediate bending temperatures. Because the glass, and especially the black ceramic enamel on the glass, is not uniformly sintered during the glass bending process, this results in undesirable color variations on a single piece of glass, but a matte appearance is also undesirable. The combination of AGC Iris Ag2 coating and 1A004_MMM ceramic black enamel is normally considered to be incompatible with each other.

[0031] In the example above, a D65 / 10 illuminance spectrophotometer was used to measure the CieLab color of the glass after a low-temperature bending cycle, resulting in values ​​of L* 14.58, a* +0.85, and b* +4.34. The CieLab color space is a widely accepted method in the automotive field for defining color darkness and color position in a three-dimensional axis color space. The axis L* defines depth, with 0 representing black and 100 representing white. Negative a* indicates green, positive a* indicates red, negative b* indicates blue, positive b* indicates yellow, and 0 indicates achromatic for both a* and b*. In contrast, L represents the color depth axis, and ab defines the position on the horizontal axis of the color scale. When an intermediate transparent ceramic band (commercially available from Tecglass as 7T001_MMH Jetver Transparent) forming the resultant second ceramic band was applied to the same sample and printed and cured under the same conditions, the result was a deep black glossy appearance when viewed from the outside of the glass (through the glass above the ceramic band) and CieLab color measurements on the same spectrophotometer were L* 3.01, a* + 0.41, b* + 0.94, meaning that L was a deep black and ab was even more neutral.

[0032] If the same sample were to have its AG2 coating locally removed by laser and a black ceramic band installed without a transparent second ceramic band, this would serve as a reference for the effect of the Ag2 reflective coating. The color measurements of L* 2.22, a* +0.17, and b* -0.42 indicate that the reference measurements are very close to those of the sample with a transparent intermediate ceramic enamel (second ceramic band) in terms of color depth on both horizontal color axes. Therefore, the combination of the AGC Iris Ag2 coating, 1A004_MMM ceramic black enamel, and the transparent second ceramic band can be characterized as being very compatible with each other. Note that this experiment is non-limiting in order to demonstrate the beneficial effect of the second ceramic band. Similar experiments would yield similar results and are not excluded from the scope of this invention.

[0033] In two other non-limiting experimental glass samples, two different types of reflective coatings are provided. First, an Ag2 double silver coating, designated S1 (available from Guardian as the IRR color box), and an Ag3 triple silver coating, designated S2 (available from Guardian as the Sunguard SNX70HT), are provided. The same black ceramic enamel, Jetver 1a004-MMM, was applied partially directly onto the silver reflective coating and partially onto a transparent second ceramic band, 7T001_MMH, followed by drying and curing at 560°C. Color testing was performed using a spectrophotometer to provide a color depth difference. Because the samples had at least one ceramic band partially on top of the silver coating and partially on top of the second ceramic band, the color difference could be accurately measured for the same sample.

[0034] The following results demonstrate that significant changes in both color depth and horizontal axis were achieved when ceramic bands, especially black ones, were printed onto a second, transparent ceramic band. S1 Ag2 glass black ceramic band, especially black enamel printed directly onto the reflective coating: L* 22.85, a* -0.38, b* +2.38. S1 Ag2 black ceramic band, especially black enamel printed onto a second ceramic band, especially a transparent second ceramic band: L* 2.92, a* +0.15, b* +0.32. S2 Ag3 black ceramic band, especially black enamel added directly to the reflective coating: L* 19.29, a* -2.07, b* +5.20. S2 Ag3 black ceramic band, especially black enamel printed onto a second ceramic band, especially a transparent second ceramic band: L* 6.33, a* -0.71, b* +1.96. While samples without the second transparent ceramic band may be noted as compatible, there is a significant difference in aesthetic appearance. This can be beneficial in vehicles such as passenger cars where the adjacent glass does not have a reflective coating, so the black printing remains unaffected by any reaction during glass bending. Therefore, printing the black ceramic band on the second transparent ceramic band provides a uniform color depth compared to the adjacent glass without such a reflective coating, which is beneficial.

[0035] Furthermore, it is known that incompatibility between the at least one ceramic band and the reflective coating, particularly in the case of silver-based reflective coatings, can adversely affect resistivity. The resistivity of the reflective coating may be measured in ohms / square and can be measured using a Stratometer G Fw.Rel.1.01.8 manufactured by the manufacturer Nagy Instruments, specifically manufactured in November 2010. Using Saint Gobain Climacoat 4Ag as the reflective coating, a subsequent application of Jetver 8S001_MHM clear ceramic enamel as a second ceramic band, which was then dried and overprinted with Jetver 1A004_MMM black ceramic enamel as at least one ceramic band, and sintered to 560°C, gave the following results in terms of resistivity: Resistivity measurements indicate a resistivity of 0.646 ohms / square in the areas where the second ceramic band and at least one ceramic band were applied, and 0.626 ohms / square in the areas where no ceramic was applied. Therefore, very good maintenance of resistivity characteristics is confirmed.

[0036] It is also conceivable that the laminated structure comprises at least one third ceramic band, preferably extending along at least a portion of the periphery of the inwardly facing surface of the outer glass sheet. In particular, the third ceramic band is an opaque ceramic enamel. More particularly, the third ceramic band is disposed between the at least one second ceramic band and the at least one additional ceramic band. By providing a third layer, preferably an opaque ceramic band, better or other results in terms of color depth can be achieved. In addition to providing second and third ceramic bands, it is also possible to provide a mixed second ceramic band. Preferably, the mixed second ceramic band comprises, for example, 70% (volume and / or weight %) of transparent ceramic and 30% (volume and / or weight %) of opaque ceramic. This mixed second ceramic band achieves slightly inferior results in terms of color depth compared to providing both the second and third ceramic bands, but results in a thinner structure. Alternatively, a single layer may provide the same advantageous effect.

[0037] The second and / or third ceramic band may be added in combination with sealing the reflective coating according to the present invention, but can also be added generally, and therefore it is not necessary for this advantageous effect to be achieved that the at least one reflective coating and the at least one ceramic band at least partially overlap, and that at least a portion of the at least one ceramic band extends beyond the periphery of the at least one reflective coating. In this aspect, the present invention further relates to a cover glass sheet, particularly an outer glass sheet of an automotive window laminate, the cover glass sheet having an interior surface and an exterior surface, the cover glass sheet being provided with at least one reflective coating, particularly a heat and / or infrared reflective coating, the reflective coating being provided on at least a portion of the interior surface of the glass sheet, the cover glass sheet further comprising at least one second ceramic band and / or second ceramic layer, the second ceramic band and / or second ceramic layer being provided on the at least one reflective coating, and the glass sheet optionally further comprising at least one ceramic band, particularly extending along at least a portion of the periphery of the interior surface of the glass sheet, the second ceramic band and / or second ceramic layer being at least partially transparent and / or translucent. Preferably, the at least one ceramic band is at least partially opaque, preferably black.

[0038] It is conceivable that the second ceramic band and / or second ceramic layer and / or at least one ceramic band is a ceramic enamel. Preferably, the at least one ceramic band is applied, in particular directly, on top of the second ceramic band and / or second ceramic layer. Preferably, the second ceramic band and / or second ceramic layer is applied, in particular directly, to the at least one reflective coating. It is conceivable that the second ceramic band and / or second ceramic layer substantially entirely covers the at least one reflective coating. This allows, in particular, the second ceramic band and / or second ceramic layer to protect the at least one reflective coating, which may be necessary, for example, in the case of a low-emissivity coating, to protect the reflective properties of the glass. Compatibility with low-emissivity coatings was confirmed in particular in the following non-limiting examples. A particularly transparent second ceramic band was applied to a glass sheet provided with a low-emissivity coating available under the product name Silverguard nRG clear by Guardian. Then, at least one ceramic band, in particular a black ceramic band, was applied to the second ceramic band and partially on the reflective coating formed by Silverguard nRG clear. Using the same measuring tool as described above, values ​​of L* 28.06, a* -0.71, b* -0.42 were obtained in the area where the ceramic band was applied on the reflective coating. On the other hand, when at least one ceramic band was applied on at least one second ceramic band sintered at 550°C, values ​​of L* 2.89, a* 0.33, b* -0.29 were confirmed.

[0039] The advantages of the automotive window laminate described above also apply mutatis mutandis to the cover glass sheet. For example, the deeper black color of the ceramic and the compatibility of the ceramic with the reflective layer. This cover glass sheet can be used, particularly as an outer glass sheet, in the automotive window laminate according to the present invention. The different aspects and corresponding advantages of the automotive window laminate can also be applied mutatis mutandis to the cover glass sheet, without the need to incorporate other aspects. It is also conceivable that the cover glass sheet is used as a side window for a vehicle, particularly a passenger car. These aspects provide particular advantages for sealing the deep black shielding strip or the reflective coating. For example, the side window of a door, which is typically capable of moving up and down. This movement of the glass sheet can cause the reflective coating to break and wear due to contact with the inner door strip and / or weatherstrip. The provision of at least one second ceramic band thus provides protection for the reflective coating. It is also conceivable that contact between the coating and rollers and / or mold parts can be avoided during bending and / or tempering of the glass. When a reflective coating is applied to a glass sheet, which may be, for example, a monolithic tempered glass sheet, the reflected or specularly reflected color spectrum is different from the spectrum transmitted and / or absorbed by the glass. This is at least partially caused by the coating properties, as much of the red spectrum is reflected. Thus, the reflected light will have a different color. This is also the case when a ceramic band, particularly a ceramic enamel, is added to the coating. The reflected color may be adjusted by the thickness of the dielectric layer of the coating. However, since the ceramic band also has an effect on the color, a translucent ceramic enamel, which is a ceramic enamel that is not completely opaque, may be used to change both the color and the reflected color.

[0040] According to various embodiments, at least one ceramic band extends beyond the reflective coating by at least its thickness. It is also conceivable that the at least one ceramic band extends beyond the reflective coating by at least the thickness of the reflective coating. This ensures that a sufficient seal is provided for the at least one reflective coating. The reflective coating can be applied to a thickness of approximately 100 nm to 500 nm, preferably approximately 200 nm. By extending the ceramic band beyond the reflective coating by at least its thickness, it is ensured that the ceramic band seals the reflective coating. This is because the ceramic band is generally thicker than the reflective coating. Thus, in this way, it is ensured that the ceramic band is actually bonded to the portion of the outer glass sheet that is free of the reflective coating, providing the necessary seal. Preferably, the at least one ceramic band has an average thickness of approximately 10 microns to 60 microns, preferably approximately 30 microns. This thickness has been found to provide a sufficiently low light transmittance for black ceramic bands. It is conceivable that thicker ceramic bands with a greater average thickness can be applied when ceramic bands of different colors are added. When applying different ceramic colors, thicknesses up to three times the above thickness are contemplated. Thus, at least one ceramic band can extend beyond the reflective coating by at least 10 microns, which is significantly shorter than prior art in which a bonding layer provides a seal for the reflective coating. Typically, the bonding layer seal needs to extend beyond the coating by at least 6 mm, but preferably 15 mm. Thus, the present invention allows the reflective coating to extend further toward the edge of the glass sheet, thereby providing a larger effective usable surface area and an improved aesthetic appearance.

[0041] Preferably, at least one reflective coating is an infrared and / or heat reflective coating. Infrared and heat are two dominant factors that accelerate the degradation of automotive window laminates. In this regard, it is preferable that at least the reflective coating is configured to prevent heat and / or infrared radiation from heating the ceramic band. It is conceivable that the reflective coating is applied to the entire inward-facing surface of the outer glass sheet. The entire inward-facing surface can be understood as the entire plane up to the curved or beveled edge (if applied). By applying the reflective coating to the entire inward-facing surface (Face 2) of the outer glass sheet, reflection of heat and / or infrared radiation can also be achieved. Preferably, the reflective coating ensures that the ceramic band does not exceed a temperature of approximately 70°C ± 10°C, preferably ± 5°C. This can significantly affect the expected lifespan of the automotive window laminate, especially of functional films or layers. Temperature gradients can be reduced in this way, since the ceramic band generally heats more significantly than the remainder of the window laminate, especially the center. According to the prior art, when the ceramic band reaches a temperature of over 90°C, the rest of the window laminate will typically only reach a maximum temperature of 60°C, resulting in a 30°C gradient where the ceramic band is applied. The present invention can reduce this gradient to only a 10°C gradient. This will reduce the induction of stresses in the laminate, especially in the transition area where the ceramic band is applied, which is thus beneficial to the life of the window laminate.

[0042] Two methods of applying reflective coatings are generally available. First, pyrolytic coatings can be applied in the float glass process while the glass is still hot from the molten state. In this state, the glass can be drawn through a liquid tin bath before an annealed coating is sprayed onto the hot surface and allowed to fuse to the glass layer. Pyrolytic coatings have infrared-reflective and emissivity-reducing (low-e) properties, and are relatively hard and durable. Fused coatings are known to be unaffected by most external ambient conditions and to be compatible with some ceramic enamels fused to them. Non-limiting examples of ceramic enamels that can be used in the present invention are available from the Fenzi Group, such as type XLM54S-IRP01. Alternatively, magnetron sputter coatings, otherwise known as physical vapor deposition (PVD), can be applied. PVD coatings are applied only after the glass has been produced, using a vacuum chamber and an electrically charged cathode to project atoms into a plasma surrounded by a magnetic field toward the glass surface. Sputter coatings comprise metal and dielectric layers forming an infrared-reflective layer, which is soft and less durable in terms of transparency to external ambient conditions, such as moisture. This is especially true when components that are prone to contact with moisture, such as silver (Ag), are used. Sputter coatings are also known to be incompatible with black ceramic enamels fused to them. In this regard, it is preferable that at least one reflective coating layer is free of zinc and / or zinc oxide (ZnO). Applying a reflective coating that does not contain zinc and / or zinc oxide can make it easier to add a ceramic band to the reflective coating. In this way, the risk of incompatibility is reduced. Instead of zinc and / or zinc oxide, titanium and / or titanium dioxide can be used to perform the function. The benefits of sealing the reflective coating with a ceramic band are maintained.

[0043] Preferably, the at least one ceramic band extends beyond the at least one reflective coating along the entire periphery of the at least one reflective coating. In this way, substantially the entire at least one reflective coating is sealed by the ceramic band, which is very beneficial for maintaining the properties of the functional layer. Furthermore, by sealing substantially the entire reflective coating with the ceramic band, it is not necessary to apply a specific seal in this area. Therefore, manufacturing costs can be reduced. Furthermore, since there is no need to provide an alternative seal with a different or additional material, a lighter automotive window laminate can be achieved. According to the present invention, there is no need to perform edge removal of the reflective coating. That is, the reflective coating can optionally extend to the periphery of the glass sheet. Since there is no need to locally remove the edge of the reflective coating, the overall manufacturing process is reduced, which can enable a faster process and a simpler window laminate. Preferably, the at least one ceramic band seals the at least one reflective coating, particularly its periphery, preferably impermeably.

[0044] According to a preferred embodiment, at least one reflective coating layer contains silver particles such as AgCl and / or Ag nanoparticles, particularly at least one Ag1 coating. Furthermore, Ag2, Ag3, and Ag4 coatings may be applied as reflective coatings. In this regard, Agx coatings may be considered silver-based coatings, where "x" may refer to the number of passes in a sputtering machine. It is also possible that a dielectric coating may be applied locally to the silver-based coating. This dielectric coating may be, for example, a dielectric ceramic such as Si3N4. Preferably, this dielectric coating is applied between the silver-based reflective coating and the ceramic band. This may solve the problem of incompatibility between the reflective coating and the ceramic band. If the reflective coating contains metal particles, particularly silver particles, it is possible that the coating may block or shield radio waves. For this, a radio wave port may be locally provided within the reflective coating. Such a radio wave port may be approximately 100 mm x 60 mm or larger, with a 0.1 mm shaped grid and a 1 mm pitch, depending on the desired frequency to pass. Preferably, this radio wave port is at least partially covered by the second and / or third ceramic band, if added, or at least one ceramic band, for which the same suitability has been confirmed.

[0045] Preferably, the at least one ceramic band is a ceramic enamel band. Preferably, the ceramic band, especially the ceramic enamel, contains at least one additive selected from the group consisting of aluminum, bismuth, boron, calcium, lead, lithium, magnesium, silicon, titanium, sodium, potassium, tin, oxide, zinc, zirconium, nickel-chromium, iron oxide, manganese oxide, chromium oxide, and / or boron trioxide. Preferably, zinc, zinc oxide, and zirconium are not used. Preferably, titanium and / or titanium dioxide can be used to perform the function instead of zinc and / or zinc oxide. The additive for coloring the ceramic can be selected from oxides containing elements such as aluminum, bismuth, boron, calcium, gold, lead, lithium, magnesium, silicon, titanium, sodium, platinum, potassium, tin, or oxides of the above. Preferably, the ceramic band does not contain bismuth. Preferably, the ceramic band does not contain zinc, zinc oxide, or zirconium. The black pigment may include NiCr, Fe oxide, Mn oxide, Cr oxide, and a flux such as boron trioxide may be added to lower the melting point.

[0046] There are several specific examples of compatible reflective coatings and ceramic bands. Preferably, when the ceramic band, particularly the ceramic enamel, contains bismuth, the reflective coating is substantially free of zinc. In the specific composition described above, the ceramic band contains bismuth, and the reflective coating comprises, from the outside inward, a first layer of silicon nitride (Si3N4), particularly 410 Å; a second layer of nickel (Ni), particularly 7 Å; a third layer of silver (Ag), particularly 100 Å; a fourth layer of nickel (Ni), particularly 7 Å; a fifth layer of silicon nitride (Si3N4), particularly 900 Å; a sixth layer of nickel (Ni), particularly 7 Å; a seventh layer of silver (Ag), particularly 100 Å; an eighth layer of nickel (Ni), particularly 7 Å; and a ninth layer of silicon nitride (Si3N4), particularly 410 Å. The resulting ceramic band, which may contain bismuth, can then be realized using a ceramic known as Johnson Matthey L6029-IR. This particular non-limiting embodiment has been found to be adaptable for use in the present invention.

[0047] Further alternatively, if the reflective coating includes zinc, the ceramic band is preferably substantially free of bismuth. In this regard, any zinc comprising the reflective coating may be added, and a particular compatible ceramic band may be realized at least in part, preferably entirely, by, for example, an AGC Super Iris Ag3 coating and / or, for example, a Jetlux F5496128M platinum glass / ceramic band.

[0048] Preferably, the thermoplastic laminate sheet structure comprises at least one functional layer having an upper surface and a lower surface, preferably comprising at least two thermoplastic layers and at least one film layer, particularly a functional film or layer, between the at least two thermoplastic layers, and at least two bonding layers, at least two bonding layers at least partially covering the upper and lower surfaces of the at least one functional layer.

[0049] The present invention further relates to glass sheets for use in automotive window laminates according to the present invention. The present invention also relates to a method of manufacturing an automotive window laminate structure, preferably an automotive window laminate structure according to the present invention, said method comprising: a) providing an inner glass sheet and an outer glass sheet, each of the inner glass sheet and the outer glass sheet having an inwardly facing surface and an outwardly facing surface; b) providing at least one reflective coating on at least a portion of the inwardly facing surface of the outer glass sheet; c) sealing at least a portion of the periphery of the at least one reflective coating; d) providing a thermoplastic laminate sheet structure between the inner and outer glass sheets.

[0050] Preferably, the method comprises the step of providing at least one second ceramic band, preferably a transparent and / or translucent ceramic band applied, preferably directly applied, onto the at least one reflective coating, and in particular the sealing step c) above is performed by applying a second ceramic band.It is also conceivable that the method comprises the step of providing at least one third ceramic band, preferably an opaque ceramic band applied, preferably directly applied, onto the at least one second ceramic band.

[0051] According to a preferred embodiment, during step c), part of the periphery is sealed by step e) of providing at least one ceramic band along at least part of the periphery of the inwardly facing surface of the outer glass sheet, preferably the at least one ceramic band being applied on the at least one second ceramic band, more preferably the at least one ceramic band being applied on the at least one third ceramic band. Preferably, during step e), at least part of the at least one ceramic band, at least part of the at least one second ceramic band and / or at least part of the at least one third ceramic band overlaps the reflective coating applied during step b), and at least part of the at least one ceramic band, at least part of the at least one second ceramic band and / or at least part of the at least one third ceramic band extends beyond the periphery of the at least one layer of reflective coating applied during step b). It is conceivable that during step c), the entire periphery of the at least one layer of reflective coating is sealed, in particular impermeably sealed. Optionally, the method includes the step of: f) beveling and / or curving at least a portion of the edge of at least one of the inner and / or outer glass sheets. Preferably, the second or third ceramic band is applied by printing a wet layer approximately 10-100 microns thick. This depends on the printing method, as the amount of solvent in digital printing generally requires a thicker wet layer than silkscreen printing. Applying the at least one ceramic band, at least one second ceramic band, and / or at least one third ceramic band can be done by printing. It is conceivable that printing of the various bands is done after curing, drying, or sintering the previous layer, but it is also conceivable that the ceramic bands are applied on top of each other while still at least partially wet.

[0052] The benefits disclosed with respect to automotive window laminate structures are also applicable to methods and glass sheets for manufacturing automotive window laminate structures, and are hereby incorporated by reference in that regard.

[0053] Preferred embodiments of the present invention are described in the following non-limiting clauses.

[0054] 1. An automotive window laminate structure, comprising: an outer glass sheet and optionally an inner glass sheet, preferably the inner glass sheet and the outer glass sheet being positioned parallel to and spaced apart from each other, each of the inner glass sheet and the outer glass sheet having an inwardly facing surface and an outwardly facing surface; Optionally, at least one thermoplastic laminate sheet structure disposed substantially entirely between the outwardly facing surface of the inner glass sheet and the inwardly facing surface of the outer glass sheet; at least one reflective coating, in particular a heat and / or infrared reflective coating, provided on at least a portion of the inwardly facing surface of the outer glass sheet; at least one ceramic band extending along at least a portion of the periphery of the inwardly facing surface of the outer glass sheet; Equipped with Preferably, the at least one layer of reflective coating and the at least one ceramic band at least partially overlap, and optionally, at least a portion of the at least one ceramic band extends beyond the periphery of the at least one layer of reflective coating.

[0055] 2. The automotive window laminate structure of clause 1, wherein the edges along at least a portion of the periphery of at least one of the inner and / or outer glass sheets are curved and / or beveled, or the edges along at least a portion of the periphery of at least one of the inner and / or outer glass sheets are machined and / or altered.

[0056] 3. The automotive window laminate structure of clause 2, wherein the curved and / or beveled portion is substantially free of a reflective coating.

[0057] 4. The automotive window laminate structure of clause 2 or 3, wherein the at least one ceramic band at least partially overlaps the curved and / or beveled portion.

[0058] 5. An automotive window laminate structure as described in any one of clauses 1 to 4, wherein the laminate structure preferably comprises at least one second ceramic band extending along at least a portion of the periphery of the inwardly facing surface of the outer glass sheet.

[0059] 6. An automotive window laminate structure according to clause 5, wherein the second ceramic band is a translucent and / or transparent ceramic band, in particular an enamel, in particular wherein the second ceramic band is at least partially disposed between the at least one ceramic band and the at least one layer of reflective coating.

[0060] 7. An automotive window laminate structure as described in clause 5 or 6, wherein the laminate structure preferably comprises at least one third ceramic band extending along at least a portion of the periphery of the inwardly facing surface of the outer glass sheet.

[0061] 8. The automotive window laminate structure according to clause 7, wherein the third ceramic band is an opaque ceramic enamel, in particular, the third ceramic band is disposed between the at least one second ceramic band and the at least one ceramic band when added.

[0062] 9. An automotive window laminate structure as described in any one of clauses 1 to 8, wherein the at least one ceramic band extends beyond the reflective coating by at least its own thickness.

[0063] 10. An automotive window laminate structure according to any one of clauses 1 to 9, wherein the at least one reflective coating is an infrared and / or heat reflective coating.

[0064] 11. The automotive window laminate structure of any one of clauses 1 to 10, wherein the reflective coating is applied to the entire inward-facing surface of the outer glass sheet.

[0065] 12. An automotive window laminate structure as described in any one of clauses 1 to 11, wherein the at least one ceramic band extends beyond the at least one layer of reflective coating along the entire periphery of the at least one layer of reflective coating.

[0066] 13. An automotive window laminate structure according to any one of clauses 1 to 12, wherein the at least one ceramic band seals, preferably impermeably seals, the at least one reflective coating, in particular the periphery thereof.

[0067] 14. The automotive window laminate structure of any one of clauses 1 to 13, wherein the at least one reflective coating comprises silver particles, such as AgCl, and / or Ag nanoparticles.

[0068] 15. An automotive window laminate structure according to any one of clauses 1 to 14, wherein the at least one ceramic band is a ceramic enamel band comprising at least one additive selected in particular from the group consisting of aluminum, boron, calcium, gold, lead, lithium, magnesium, silicon, titanium, sodium, platinum, potassium, tin, oxides, nickel-chromium, iron oxide, manganese oxide, chromium oxide and / or boron trioxide.

[0069] 16. The automotive window laminate structure of any one of clauses 1 to 15, wherein the at least one ceramic band has an average total thickness of about 10 microns to 60 microns, preferably about 30 microns.

[0070] 17. The thermoplastic laminate sheet structure at least one functional layer having an upper surface and a lower surface, preferably comprising at least two thermoplastic layers and at least one film layer between the at least two thermoplastic layers; at least two tie layers at least partially covering the top and bottom surfaces of the at least one functional layer; 17. The automotive window laminate structure of any one of clauses 1 to 16, comprising:

[0071] 18. A glass sheet for use in an automotive window laminate according to any one of clauses 1 to 17.

[0072] 19. A method for producing an automotive window laminate structure, preferably an automotive window laminate structure according to any one of clauses 1 to 16, comprising the steps of: a) providing an outer glass sheet and optionally an inner glass sheet, each of the inner and outer glass sheets having an inwardly facing surface and an outwardly facing surface; b) providing at least one reflective coating on at least a portion of the inwardly facing surface of the outer glass sheet; c) optionally sealing at least a portion of the periphery of said at least one reflective coating; d) optionally providing a thermoplastic laminate sheet structure between the inner and outer glass sheets; A method for providing

[0073] 20. The method according to clause 19, comprising a step of providing at least one second ceramic band, preferably the at least one second ceramic band being a transparent and / or translucent ceramic band applied, preferably directly applied, onto the at least one reflective coating, and in particular the sealing step c) is performed by applying the second ceramic band.

[0074] 21. The method of clause 20, comprising the step of providing at least one third ceramic band, preferably the at least one third ceramic band being an opaque ceramic band applied onto, preferably directly applied to, the at least one second ceramic band.

[0075] 22. A method according to any one of clauses 19 to 21, wherein during step c) part of the periphery is sealed by step e) providing at least one ceramic band along at least part of the periphery of the inwardly facing surface of the outer glass sheet, preferably the at least one ceramic band being applied onto the at least one second ceramic band, more preferably the at least one ceramic band being applied onto the at least one third ceramic band.

[0076] 23. The method of any one of clauses 20 to 22, wherein during step e), at least a portion of the at least one ceramic band, at least a portion of the at least one second ceramic band and / or at least a portion of the at least one third ceramic band overlaps the reflective coating applied during step b), and at least a portion of the at least one ceramic band, at least a portion of the at least one second ceramic band and / or at least a portion of the at least one third ceramic band extends beyond the periphery of the at least one reflective coating applied during step b).

[0077] 24. Method according to any one of clauses 19 to 23, wherein during step c) the entire periphery of the at least one reflective coating is sealed, in particular impermeably sealed.

[0078] 25.f) A method according to any one of clauses 19 to 24, comprising the step of bevelling and / or curving at least a portion of an edge of at least one of the inner and / or outer glass sheets. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0079] [Figure 1] 1 shows a cross-sectional view of an automotive window laminate structure according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] 1 shows a portion of an automotive window laminate according to different embodiments. [Figure 3] 1A to 1E show a part of the manufacturing process of the automotive window laminate structure according to the present invention. [Figure 4] A to E show other embodiments of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0080] The present invention will be described in further detail below with reference to the drawings.

[0081] FIG. 1 illustrates a first embodiment of an automotive window laminate 1 according to the present invention. For ease of illustration, only a portion of the automotive window laminate 1 is shown. The cross-section illustrated in the figure allows for further elaboration of the inventive concept of the present invention. Since an object of the present invention is to provide an automotive window laminate 1 capable of reducing the amount of heat absorbed by the window, the illustrated embodiment provides a solution to the invention. The drawing shows a cross-section including an outer glass sheet 2 and an inner glass sheet 3, which are parallel to each other and located at a predetermined distance from each other. Each of the outer glass sheet 2 and the inner glass sheet 3 has an inward-facing surface 2a, 3a and an outward-facing surface 2b, 3b, respectively. In this regard, the outward-facing surface 2b of the outer glass sheet 2 may be referred to as Face 1 of the window laminate, and the inward-facing surface 2a of the outer glass sheet 2 may be referred to as Face 2. Similarly, the outward-facing surface 3b of the inner glass sheet 3 may be referred to as Face 3 of the window laminate, and the inward-facing surface 3a of the inner glass sheet 3 may be referred to as Face 4. Between the outer glass sheet 2 and the inner glass sheet 3 is a thermoplastic laminate sheet structure 4. The thermoplastic laminate sheet structure 4 preferably comprises at least one functional layer 5, which comprises at least one film layer such as a polymer dispersed liquid crystal device, a suspended particle device, an electrophoretic device, a microblind, and / or a passive functional layer. The film layer may be deposited between two thermoplastic layers, which may be at least partially composed of polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polyethylene naphthalate (PEN), or triacetate cellulose (TAC). It is conceivable that at least one surface of the at least one thermoplastic layer is provided with a conductive coating, preferably indium tin oxide (ITO).

[0082] A frame layer 7 is provided around at least a portion of the periphery of the functional layer 5. This frame layer 7 can be formed at least in part from a separate material, but can also be formed by an inactive portion of the functional layer 5. This frame layer 7 is configured to provide adequate sealing of the functional layer 5, which is particularly suitable for thicker functional layers 5. A bonding layer 6 is added to each side of the functional layer 5 and the frame layer 7. This bonding layer 6 bonds the functional film to the glass sheets 2 and 3. To provide better resistance to heat and / or infrared radiation, the present invention provides a reflective coating 8. This reflective coating 8 preferably contains silver. Preferably, at least one reflective coating comprises silver particles, such as AgCl, and / or Ag nanoparticles, particularly at least one Ag1 coating. Furthermore, Ag2, Ag3, and Ag4 coatings can also be provided as reflective coatings. Silver-based coatings are a preferred option because they have good infrared reflectivity.

[0083] The inventive concept of the present invention resides in that the reflective coating 8 is provided on the face 2 of the automotive window laminate 1, and thus on the inward-facing surface 2a of the outer glass sheet 2. Thus, sunlight and / or infrared radiation 12 impinging on the outer glass sheet 2 passes through the outer glass sheet 2 and is largely reflected by the reflective coating 8. Therefore, the incident sunlight and / or infrared radiation 12 is largely reflected with an outward reflection 13. Only a small portion of the incident sunlight and / or infrared radiation 12, the inward reflection 14, can pass through the reflective coating 8. Thus, only the inward reflection 14 can heat components located below the reflective coating 8. In particular, the ceramic band 9, which is provided around at least a portion of the periphery of the outer glass sheet 2, does not heat significantly as a result of the reflective coating 8. This is largely due to the reflective coating 8 being located above the ceramic band 9 (when viewed from the outward to the inward direction). The reflective band may cover a portion of the thermoplastic laminate sheet structure 4, particularly the area comprising the electronic connections and / or the frame layer 7.

[0084] It is desirable to reduce the amount of heat absorbed and / or transferred to the interior portion of the window laminate 1. This interior region may be considered the thermoplastic laminate sheet structure 4 and the ceramic band 9. The ceramic band 9, particularly because it is often black, is prone to higher temperatures. Therefore, if neither incident solar radiation nor incident infrared radiation is blocked, it may absorb a large portion of the radiation as heat, increasing its temperature. If the reflective coating 8 were not provided on the face 2, the ceramic band 9 could reach temperatures of 90°C or higher. The present invention can reduce the maximum temperature to approximately 60-70°C under the same conditions. The ceramic band 9 extends beyond the reflective coating 8 to a portion of the edge 11 of the glass sheets 2, 3 that is substantially free of the reflective coating. This allows the ceramic band to locally prevent moisture from contacting the reflective coating 8. Preferably, the ceramic band 9 seals the reflective coating 8 in this manner. The ceramic band 9 preferably extends beyond the reflective coating 8 by at least 10-60 microns, thus only a small portion is required to seal the reflective coating 8. This may be due to the properties of the ceramic band. In this figure, the edges 11 of the outer glass sheet 2 and the inner glass sheet 3 are curved.

[0085] FIG. 2 illustrates alternative examples of glass sheets 2, 3 according to the present invention. In this particular illustration, an example of an outer glass sheet 2 is shown, but this shape could also be used for the inner glass sheet 3. However, the outer glass sheet 2 is shown here to provide further insight into how the inventive concept can be applied to different glass edge shapes. The edge 11 of the glass sheet 2 is straight in this illustration and may form a substantially perpendicular angle with the outward-facing surface 2b and the inward-facing surface 2a of the outer glass sheet 2. A reflective coating 8 is provided on the inward-facing surface 2a of the glass sheet 2. In this embodiment, the reflective coating 8 is applied to substantially the entire inward-facing surface 2a of the glass sheet 2. This could be done, for example, before further processing of the glass sheet 2. It is also contemplated that a large sheet of glass could be provided with a reflective coating 8, such as any coating according to the present invention, and after application of the reflective coating 8, the large sheet of glass would be cut into sheets to be used. This would result in the reflective coating 8 extending across the entire edge 11 of the glass sheet 2, as it reflects the cutting line, as shown in the figure. On the other hand, it is still possible to prevent the reflective coating 8 from coming into contact with the external environment, and therefore with moisture. In this regard, a ceramic band 9 may be provided that extends to the edge 11 of the glass sheet 2. Since the ceramic band 9 preferably extends beyond the reflective coating 8 by at least its own thickness, it can be ensured that the ceramic band 9 actually extends to that part of the edge 11 of the glass sheet 2 that is free of the reflective coating 8, due to the reflective coating usually being orders of magnitude thinner. In this way, the part of the ceramic band 9 that is bonded to the part of the edge 11 that is free of the reflective coating can seal the reflective coating 8. This can contribute to the lifespan of the window laminate 1.

[0086] 3a-3e illustrate a portion of a method according to the present invention. In this regard, FIG. 3a illustrates a first step in which a glass sheet 2 is provided. While an outer glass sheet is illustrated in FIG. 3a, it is also conceivable that an inner glass sheet 3 is provided in this step. During a subsequent step, shown in FIG. 3b, a coating 8 is applied, in particular a reflective coating 8, to the inwardly facing surface 2a of the outer glass sheet 2. The reflective coating 8 is applied to substantially the entire inwardly facing surface 2a of the outer glass sheet 2. In this way, the entire window laminate can have good reflective properties. In the step shown in FIG. 3c, the edge 11 of the outer glass sheet 2 is curved. The curvature of the edge 11 of the glass sheet 2 can provide for better distribution of stresses within the glass sheet 2. These stresses can be introduced, for example, during the bending process. For ease of illustration, the glass sheets and window laminate shown in FIG. 3 are shown in a horizontal orientation, but it is also conceivable that the sheet 2 or the laminate 1 can be slightly curved.

[0087] During the step shown in FIG. 3d, a ceramic band 9 is applied to the outer glass sheet 2. This ceramic band 9 not only overlaps the reflective coating 8 but also extends beyond the reflective coating 8 to a portion of the edge 11 of the glass sheet 2 that is substantially free of the reflective coating. In this application, when a portion of the glass sheet 2 is referred to as being free of a reflective coating, this can be understood as meaning that the portion is free of a reflective coating or that the portion is configured without a reflective coating. On the other hand, eliminating the step of locally removing the coating 8 is advantageous because it shortens manufacturing time. In this regard, the ceramic band 9 shown in FIG. 3d extends to the portion of the curved edge 11 that is free of the reflective coating 8. This allows the ceramic band to seal the reflective coating 8 from moisture.

[0088] 3a-3d thus illustrate subsequent steps in preparing an outer glass sheet 2 according to the present invention, while FIG. 3e illustrates an assembled automotive window laminate 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. Beneath the outer glass sheet 2 (when viewed from the outside inward) is provided a thermoplastic laminate sheet structure 4. This thermoplastic laminate sheet structure 4 comprises two bonding layers 6 and a functional film (functional layer 5) as described herein. Optionally, the inward-facing surface 3a of the inner glass sheet 3 may be provided with a ceramic band 9. In this way, the connections of the thermoplastic laminate sheet structure 4 and the frame layer 7 along the periphery of the sheet structure 4 may be hidden from the driver's view.

[0089] 4a-4e illustrate a portion of yet another embodiment of the present invention. In this regard, FIG. 4a illustrates a first step in which a glass sheet 2 is provided. While FIG. 4a illustrates an outer glass sheet, it is also conceivable that an inner glass sheet 3 is provided in this step. During a subsequent step, shown in FIG. 4b, a coating 8 is applied, specifically a reflective coating 8, to the inwardly facing surface 2a of the outer glass sheet 2. The reflective coating 8 is applied to substantially the entire inwardly facing surface 2a of the outer glass sheet 2. In this way, the entire window laminate can have good reflective properties. In the step shown in FIG. 4c, the edge 11 of the outer glass sheet 2 is curved. The curvature of the edge 11 of the glass sheet 2 can provide for better distribution of stresses within the glass sheet 2. These stresses can be introduced, for example, during the bending process. For ease of illustration, the glass sheets and window laminate shown in FIG. 4 are shown in a horizontal orientation, but it is also conceivable that the sheet 2 or the laminate 1 can be slightly curved.

[0090] During the step shown in FIG. 4d, a ceramic band 9 is applied to the outer glass sheet 2. This ceramic band 9 includes at least one second ceramic band 9A and at least one ceramic band 9B. In this regard, the at least one second ceramic band 9A is applied on the reflective coating 8 and is preferably substantially transparent or translucent, e.g., a transparent ceramic enamel. The at least one second ceramic band 9A may optionally extend over substantially the entire surface of the reflective coating 8. The at least one ceramic band 9B may be, in particular, a black ceramic band 9B to form the typical black border of a vehicle window. The at least one ceramic band 9B thus determines the daytime opening of the window. By adding at least one second ceramic band 9A that is different from the at least one ceramic band 9B, a more aesthetically pleasing appearance can be achieved. This also contributes to overall compatibility. In fact, the black ceramic band 9B is generally not very compatible with the reflective coating 8, but this can be overcome to some extent by adding at least one second ceramic band 9A. This allows for both better reflective properties and a better overall aesthetic appearance of the window, since black generally appears darker and glossier when viewed from the outside of the window (i.e., from side 2b). The ceramic band 9 is applied not only to partially overlap the reflective coating 8 but also to extend beyond the reflective coating 8 to a portion of the edge 11 of the glass sheet 2 that is substantially free of the reflective coating, although this is not necessary if aesthetic improvement is the sole purpose. When a portion of the glass sheet 2 is referred to as being free of a reflective coating in this application, this can be understood as meaning that the portion is free of a reflective coating or that the portion is configured without a reflective coating. On the other hand, eliminating the step of locally removing the coating 8 is advantageous because it shortens manufacturing time. In this regard, the ceramic band 9 shown in FIG. 4d extends to a portion of the curved edge 11 that is free of the reflective coating 8.This allows the ceramic band to seal the reflective coating 8 from moisture.

[0091] 4a-4d thus illustrate steps for preparing an outer glass sheet 2 according to the present invention, while FIG. 4e illustrates an assembled automotive window laminate 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. Beneath the outer glass sheet 2 (as viewed from the outside inward) is a thermoplastic laminate sheet structure 4. This thermoplastic laminate sheet structure 4 comprises two bonding layers 6 and a functional film 5 as described herein. Optionally, the inner surface 3a of the inner glass sheet 3 may be provided with a ceramic band 9. In this way, the connections and frame layer 7 of the thermoplastic laminate sheet structure 4 along the periphery of the sheet structure 4 may be hidden from the driver's view. While this embodiment shows both the outer glass sheet 2 and the inner glass sheet 3, it is envisioned that this applies equally to single glass sheets for use in the automotive industry, for example, in vehicle side windows.

[0092] The inventive concepts described above have been illustrated by several illustrative embodiments. It is contemplated that each inventive concept, including its inventive details, may be applied without further application of other details of the described examples. It is not necessary to describe in detail examples of all conceivable combinations of the inventive concepts described above, as those skilled in the art will understand that many inventive concepts may be combined to arrive at specific applications and / or alternative embodiments.

[0093] As used in this document, ordinal numbers such as "first," "second," and "third" are used for identification purposes only, and therefore the use of a phrase such as a "second" component does not necessarily require the coexistence of a "first" component.

Claims

1. 1. An automotive window laminate structure, comprising: an inner glass sheet and an outer glass sheet, the inner glass sheet and the outer glass sheet being positioned parallel to and spaced apart from each other, the inner glass sheet and the outer glass sheet each having an inward-facing surface and an outward-facing surface; at least one thermoplastic laminate sheet structure disposed substantially entirely between the outwardly facing surface of the inner glass sheet and the inwardly facing surface of the outer glass sheet; - at least one reflective coating, in particular a heat and / or infrared reflective coating, provided on at least a portion of the inwardly facing surface of the outer glass sheet; at least one ceramic band extending along at least a portion of the periphery of the inwardly facing surface of the outer glass sheet; Equipped with The at least one layer of reflective coating and the at least one ceramic band at least partially overlap, and at least a portion of the at least one ceramic band extends beyond a periphery of the at least one layer of reflective coating.

2. 10. The automotive window laminate structure of claim 1, wherein at least one of the inner glass sheet and / or the outer glass sheet has curved and / or beveled edges along at least a portion of a periphery thereof.

3. 3. The automotive window laminate structure of claim 2, wherein the curved and / or beveled portion is substantially free of a reflective coating.

4. 4. The automotive window laminate structure of claim 2 or 3, wherein the at least one ceramic band at least partially overlaps the curved and / or beveled portion.

5. 5. An automotive window laminate structure as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the laminate structure comprises at least one second ceramic band, preferably extending along at least a portion of the periphery of the inwardly facing surface of the outer glass sheet.

6. 6. The automotive window laminate structure according to claim 5, wherein the second ceramic band is a translucent and / or transparent ceramic band, in particular an enamel, in particular the second ceramic band is at least partially disposed between the at least one ceramic band and the at least one reflective coating.

7. 7. An automotive window laminate structure according to claim 5 or 6, wherein the laminate structure comprises at least one third ceramic band, preferably extending along at least a portion of the periphery of the inwardly facing surface of the outer glass sheet.

8. 8. The automotive window laminate structure of claim 7, wherein the third ceramic band is an opaque ceramic enamel, and in particular, the third ceramic band is disposed between the at least one second ceramic band and the at least one ceramic band, if added.

9. 9. An automotive window laminate structure according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the at least one ceramic band extends beyond the reflective coating by at least its own thickness.

10. 10. An automotive window laminate structure according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the at least one reflective coating is an infrared and / or heat reflective coating.

11. 11. The automotive window laminate structure of claim 1, wherein the reflective coating is applied to the entire inwardly facing surface of the outer glass sheet.

12. 12. The automotive window laminate structure of claim 1, wherein the at least one ceramic band extends beyond the at least one layer of reflective coating along the entire periphery of the at least one layer of reflective coating.

13. 13. An automotive window laminate structure according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the at least one ceramic band seals the at least one reflective coating, in particular seals its periphery, preferably impermeably.

14. 14. The automotive window laminate structure according to any one of claims 1 to 13, wherein the at least one reflective coating comprises silver particles, such as AgCl, and / or Ag nanoparticles.

15. 15. An automotive window laminate structure according to any one of claims 1 to 14, wherein the at least one ceramic band is a ceramic enamel band, in particular comprising at least one additive selected from the group consisting of aluminium, boron, calcium, gold, lead, lithium, magnesium, silicon, titanium, sodium, platinum, potassium, tin, oxides, nickel-chromium, iron oxide, manganese oxide, chromium oxide and / or boron trioxide.

16. 16. An automotive window laminate structure according to any one of claims 1 to 15, wherein the at least one ceramic band has an average total thickness of between about 10 microns and 60 microns, preferably about 30 microns.

17. The thermoplastic laminate sheet structure comprises: at least one functional layer having an upper surface and a lower surface, preferably comprising at least two thermoplastic layers and at least one film layer between the at least two thermoplastic layers; at least two tie layers at least partially covering the top and bottom surfaces of the at least one functional layer; 17. The automotive window laminate structure of claim 1, comprising:

18. 18. A glass sheet for use in an automotive window laminate according to any one of claims 1 to 17.

19. 17. A method for producing an automotive window laminate structure, preferably an automotive window laminate structure according to any one of claims 1 to 16, comprising the steps of: a) providing an inner glass sheet and an outer glass sheet, each of the inner glass sheet and the outer glass sheet having an inwardly facing surface and an outwardly facing surface; b) providing at least one reflective coating on at least a portion of the inwardly facing surface of the outer glass sheet; c) sealing at least a portion of the periphery of the at least one reflective coating; d) providing a thermoplastic laminate sheet structure between the inner and outer glass sheets; A method for providing

20. 20. The method according to claim 19, further comprising the step of providing at least one second ceramic band, preferably a transparent and / or translucent ceramic band applied, preferably directly applied, onto the at least one reflective coating, and in particular wherein the sealing step c) is performed by applying the second ceramic band.

21. 21. The method of claim 20, comprising the step of providing at least one third ceramic band, preferably the at least one third ceramic band being an opaque ceramic band applied onto, preferably directly applied to, the at least one second ceramic band.

22. 22. The method of any one of claims 19 to 21, wherein during step c) part of the periphery is sealed by the step of: e) providing at least one ceramic band along at least part of the periphery of the inwardly facing surface of the outer glass sheet, preferably the at least one ceramic band being applied over the at least one second ceramic band, more preferably the at least one ceramic band being applied over the at least one third ceramic band.

23. 23. The method according to any one of claims 20 to 22, wherein during step e), at least a portion of the at least one ceramic band, at least a portion of the at least one second ceramic band and / or at least a portion of the at least one third ceramic band overlaps the reflective coating applied during step b), and at least a portion of the at least one ceramic band, at least a portion of the at least one second ceramic band and / or at least a portion of the at least one third ceramic band extends beyond a periphery of the at least one reflective coating applied during step b).

24. 24. The method according to any one of claims 19 to 23, wherein during step c) the entire periphery of the at least one reflective coating is sealed, in particular impermeably sealed.

25. 25. A method according to any one of claims 19 to 24, comprising the step of: f) bevelling and / or curving at least a portion of an edge of at least one of the inner and / or outer glass sheets.

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