Heated window on automotive glazing

Abstract

Disclosed herein is a heated window (110) on an automobile glazing (100). The glazing has one or more heatable patches (111) composed of a functionally graded material containing metal nanocomponents (113) dispersed in a solvent (112), and a power supply unit (114) configured to provide power to the one or more heatable patches. The automobile glazing (100) comprises a laminate of at least two panes of glass or polymer with an interlayer sandwiched therebetween, and the one or more heatable patches (111) have optimal optical and thermal performance to provide improved uniform heating over the specific area of ​​the glazing where the heated window is located. The provided solution provides the desired transparency and defogging functionality for the specific application area.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a heating system for an automobile glazing. In particular, the present invention relates to a heating system in an automobile glazing having a defogger unit that is functionally tailored for a specific automobile application. [Background technology]

[0002] The Background Description includes information that may be useful in understanding the present disclosure. No admission is made that any information provided herein is prior art or relevant to the present claimed disclosure, or that any publication referenced, expressly or impliedly, is prior art.

[0003] Those skilled in the art know that glazing refers to any and all glass or polymer or similar material within a structure, or the installation of any piece of glass or polymer or similar material within a sash or frame. The glass windows of automobiles are referred to as glazing. In laminated glazing, two or more layers of glass or similar material are fused together with an interlayer in between. The fusion is completed with pressure and heat to prevent the sheets of glass or polymer or similar material from cracking.

[0004] Heating automotive glazing, such as windshields, under foggy and cold weather conditions is an important requirement for driver safety because it affects windshield visibility. Various methods for heating windshields are known in the art, and traditional solutions include defoggers or heating grids, which are widely used to heat tempered glazing units. However, such solutions are easily applied to vehicle backlights and may not be suitable for windshields, which are the front windows of vehicles and use laminated glazing. Heating solutions are known in the art that have specific conductive lines of metal (such as silver) provided in specific areas within the windshield. These conductive lines are made of expensive transparent ink or are made very thin, so as not to affect the driver's visibility through the windshield.

[0005] Advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) in various vehicles include multiple types of cameras within a single imaging system. Such camera systems may include one or more lenses with different focal points, or the lenses may have different wide-angle scales. Some lenses may have a relatively small focal length. Therefore, any non-transparent heating wire or defogger passing through it will cause a magnified line to appear in the image, obscuring the view of the actual object, thereby hindering the functionality of the ADAS itself. To defog the camera area of ​​the glazing (e.g., windshield), defogger wires are strategically provided over the camera area, such as those located in FIGS. 1a and 1b. Many such defogger wire designs require approximately 30 minutes for de-icing. This time is considered long because it impacts safety needs in ADAS systems. If such an ADAS-based solution is part of an autonomous vehicle, then it is necessary to have relatively fast de-icing or de-icing. Failure to do so can cause problems, especially in autonomous vehicles. See Figures 1a and 1b, which show some heating solutions for a three-lens imaging system. If the non-transparent heating wire is replaced with a transparent wire, such as in the designs shown in Figures 1a or 1b, the de-icing time will be even longer. In these designs, there may still be some ice remaining to be de-iced, as shown in the thermal map in Figure 1b.

[0006] Korean Patent Publication No. 2021-0120225 is cited, which discloses a transparent heating film positioned on a transparent substrate, the film having a plurality of metal nanostructures in contact with each other to form a plurality of intersections. The transparent heating film further includes an adhesive layer in contact with the metal nanostructures and is positioned on the transparent substrate. At least one of the metal nanostructures forms a first intersection with another of the metal nanostructures, and at least one of the metal nanostructures includes a protrusion protruding outside the adhesive layer and an impregnated portion impregnated inside the adhesive layer, with a portion of the first intersection being contained within the protrusion. However, such a film may not be suitable for a laminated glazing unit. For a laminated unit, the material must be able to withstand lamination process parameters, such as, but not limited to, bending cycles. The referenced solution also describes having a specific adhesive layer with a protrusion feature, which is an additional parameter to consider.

[0007] Reference is also made to Chinese Utility Model No. 205546005, which discloses a defroster for a rear windshield of an automobile, in which the heating plate of the defroster is designed to carry an interdigital electrode or broach-type electrode structure including a thick strip electrode, a thin electrode, and a transparent conductive film, and the transparent conductive film is in contact with the thick strip electrode and the thin electrode, respectively, and fills the area surrounded by the thick strip electrode and the slice electrode. The heating plate is an interdigital electrode, or the design of the heating plate is a comb-type electrode structure including a thick strip electrode, a thin electrode, and a transparent conductive layer. The transparent conductive layer is in contact with the thick strip electrode and the thin electrode, and fills the area surrounded by the thick strip electrode and the slice electrode. Such a solution affects the driver's visibility and is therefore unsuitable for application to a windshield.

[0008] Furthermore, Chinese Patent No. 104053256 is also cited, which discloses a heating solution based on nano-silver wire transparent conductive film. According to this solution, nano-silver wires synthesized by low-temperature liquid polymerization process are used as raw materials, and then coated with transparent conductive film by filming technology. This solution focuses on the manufacturing method of such film. However, these processes do not take into account the requirements of laminated glazing.

[0009] With regard to the known prior art and its drawbacks, it is observed that there is a compelling need for a heating solution for automotive glazing that does not affect the driver's visibility zone, is able to withstand the lamination process parameters, the optical and thermal requirements of automotive glazing, and is cost-effective. Furthermore, it is desirable to have a heating solution that is able to defog or de-ice a zone on the glazing that is close to the camera area within an optimal time. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0010] It is an object of the present invention to provide a heating solution that overcomes the drawbacks of the prior art.

[0011] Another object of the present invention is to provide a heating solution for automotive glazing that has a printed circuit or system that heats the glazing to defog it.

[0012] Another object of the present invention is to provide a heating solution with a transparent, or gradually transparent or partially transparent, electronic circuit system.

[0013] It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a heated window for automobile glazing, such as a windshield, for de-fogging without affecting the driver's visibility.

[0014] It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a heated window for automobile glazing, such as for a windshield, to defog the camera area within an optimal time.

[0015] A further object of the present invention is to provide a heating window for automobile glazing having a laminated unit, wherein the heating window is adapted to the process parameters of the lamination. [Means for solving the problem]

[0016] These and other objects of the present invention are achieved by the following aspects of the present invention. The following disclosure presents a simplified summary of the invention in order to provide a basic understanding of some aspects of the invention. This presents some concepts of the invention in a simplified form, as opposed to the more detailed description of the invention that is presented later. This is not a comprehensive summary of the disclosure, but rather an extensive overview of the invention. The intent of this summary is to provide a basic understanding of some aspects of the invention.

[0017] In one aspect of the present invention, a heating window on an automobile glazing is disclosed. The heating window comprises one or more heatable patches composed of a functionally graded material including metal nanocomponents dispersed in a solvent, and a power supply unit configured to provide power to the one or more heatable patches. The automobile glazing comprises a laminated unit having at least two panes of glass or polymer sandwiched between an interlayer, wherein the one or more heatable patches have optimal optical and thermal performance, thereby providing improved uniform heating over the specific area of ​​the glazing where the heating window is located. Functionally graded materials refer to materials that exhibit control over composition and thickness, thereby affecting transparency and sheet resistance.

[0018] In this aspect of the invention, the specific region of the glazing is positioned over the imaging system. The patch is configured to exhibit the required thermal and transparency gradients. The material composition of the patch is selected based on one or more of the following parameters: manufacturing parameters, transparency, thermal gradients, and other thermal parameters of the window and glazing. The composition of the functionally graded material is tailored to provide location-specific optical and thermal functionality, with the material exhibiting the same or different functionality at different locations on the window. The material composition of the patch is such that the window is optimized for the required optical acuity requirements of the imaging system. The solvent is an adhesive solvent, whereby the patch contains a plurality of silver nanowires and silver nanoparticles dispersed therein. The silver nanowires are loosely dispersed to achieve a substantial transparency of 80-95%. The heating window contains transparent and non-transparent particles. The non-transparent particles may be used to increase heat distribution, and the non-transparent metal components may be used primarily as busbars or power sources. The patch contains a scratch-resistant, temperature-resistant, and corrosion-resistant sealant. The encapsulant is a metal oxide with a transparency corresponding to that of the patch.The automotive glazing referred to herein may be any of a windshield, sidelight, backlight, sunroof, or quarterlight.

[0019] In another aspect of the present invention, a heating system is disclosed having one or more heating windows with one or more heatable patches comprised of a functionally graded material containing metallic nanocomponents dispersed in a solvent. The heating system is configured to heat an area on an imaging system from a first temperature to a second temperature within an optimal time. The heating window patches are configured to defog the area while meeting desired transparency, haze, or distortion levels, optimal heating rates, threshold temperatures, heating times, and temperature gradients for the window and glazing.

[0020] The important features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

[0021] In order to help those skilled in the art understand the present invention, the following briefly describes the accompanying drawings, which illustrate embodiments of the present invention or technical solutions in the prior art. The accompanying drawings in the following description only illustrate some embodiments of the present invention, and it is obvious that those skilled in the art can derive other drawings from the accompanying drawings without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0022] [Figure 1a] FIG. 1a shows heating grid designs over the camera area along with defogging heat maps of those designs known in the prior art. [Figure 1b] FIG. 1b shows heating grid designs over the camera area along with defogging heat maps of those designs known in the prior art. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of a heated window on an automobile glazing according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 shows a comparative study of the behavior of different materials, taking into account the parameter of transparency, for the purpose of selecting materials for the heatable patch of the present invention. [Figure 4a] FIG. 4a shows different embodiments of a heating patch and its placement on an automobile glazing according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4b] FIG. 4b shows a different embodiment of a heating patch and its placement on an automobile glazing according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4c] FIG. 4c shows a different embodiment of a heating patch and its placement on an automobile glazing, according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 5a] FIG. 5a shows some experimental results according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 5b] FIG. 5b shows some experimental results according to an embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0023] Those skilled in the art will appreciate that elements in the figures are illustrated for simplicity and clarity and have not necessarily been drawn to scale. For example, the dimensions of some of the elements in the figures may be exaggerated relative to other elements to improve understanding of embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0024] The present disclosure will now be described in more detail with reference to the drawings attached to this application, which will be understood by those skilled in the art to aid in the understanding of the invention, but which are to be considered merely exemplary.

[0025] Features described and / or illustrated with respect to one embodiment may be used in the same or similar manner in one or more other embodiments and / or in combination with or instead of features of other embodiments.

[0026] The terms and phrases used in the following description are not limited to bibliographic meanings, but are used to enable a clear and consistent understanding of the present invention. Therefore, the terms / phrases should be read in the context of this disclosure, not in isolation. Furthermore, descriptions of well-known functions and structures are omitted for clarity and conciseness.

[0027] In one embodiment of the present invention, a heating window (110) on an automobile glazing (100) is disclosed. An exemplary embodiment is depicted in FIG. 2. The heatable window or heating window (110) of the automobile glazing has one or more heatable patches (111). The heatable patches are composed of a functionally graded material containing metal nanocomponents (113) dispersed in a solvent (112). The automobile glazing (100) has at least two laminated units of glass or polymer sandwiched between one or more interlayers. The heatable patches (111) have optimal optical and thermal performance, thereby providing improved heating specifications, such as uniform heat distribution or required thermal gradients, over the specific area of ​​the glazing where the heating window is located. The patch material is defined as functionally graded in that it exhibits controlled composition and thickness. These properties affect the transparency and device resistance of the heating window patch. The heatable window further comprises a power supply unit (114) configured to provide power to the one or more heatable patches. The automotive glazing (100) comprises at least two laminated units of glass or polymer with an interlayer sandwiched therebetween, and the one or more heatable patches (111) have optimal optical and thermal performance, thereby providing improved uniform heating specifications, such as uniform heat distribution or required thermal gradients, over the specific area of ​​the glazing where the heating window is located.

[0028] In an embodiment of the present invention, conductive lines made of silver nanoparticle ink are configured to function as bus bars or power lines, which can be connected to transparent patches coated or printed over specific locations on the automotive glazing as a functionally graded heating window or heating system. The patch (111) can further include a scratch-resistant, temperature-resistant, and corrosion-resistant encapsulant. The encapsulant can be, but is not limited to, a metal oxide or polydimethylsiloxane with a transparency corresponding to that of the patch. Desirably, the encapsulant can withstand the thermal shock of the circuit and protect the patch.

[0029] The automotive glazing (100) in which the heated window (110) is disposed may be a windshield, sidelight, backlight, sunroof, or quarterlight. The heating system including the heated window (110) disposed within the glazing is configured to heat an area on an imaging system from a first temperature to a second temperature within an optimal time. The heated window patch is configured to defog the area while meeting desired transparency, haze, or distortion levels, optimal heating rates, threshold temperatures, heating times, and temperature gradients in the window and glazing.

[0030] The patch (111) depicted in FIG. 2 is configured to exhibit the required thermal and transparency gradients. The material composition of the patch is selected based on one or more of the following parameters: manufacturing parameters, transparency, thermal gradients, and other thermal parameters of the window and glazing. The composition of the functionally graded material is adapted to provide location-specific optical and thermal functionality, with the material exhibiting the same or different functionality at different locations on the window. The material composition of the patch is such that the window is optimized for the required optical acuity requirements of the imaging system or camera region (115) or such sensor module region. The patch is preferably in an adhesive solvent, whereby the patch has a plurality of silver nanowires and silver nanoparticles dispersed therein. The patch is preferably in a solvent that provides improved adhesion and stability parameters to the substrate material.

[0031] In an embodiment of the present invention, silver nanowires are loosely distributed in a solvent. Nanowire dispersion can be achieved by ink synthesis, ink treatment, such as ultrasonic treatment before printing to prevent the ink from agglomerating and precipitating or forming clogs in the printer. The solvent can be isopropyl alcohol, ethanol, or diisopropyl ether, which can provide uniform heating. In prior art designs, defoggers are designed to be plotted as copper wires. Such prior art designs provide non-uniform heating, resulting in high Joule heating and undesirably high thermal gradients around the wire.

[0032] In this embodiment of the invention, it may be possible to achieve the required level of dispersion of the ink in the substrate by fine-tuning the proportion and type of solvent, the diameter and length of the metal nanowires. The printed substrate may be annealed after printing, whereby the solvent evaporates and only the nanowires remain on the substrate. Within the patch, the relatively dispersed wires simultaneously ensure uniform heating. This advantageously also results in the desired transparency requirements.

[0033] By varying the applied voltage and the thickness or diameter of the nanowires, various heating rates and thermal gradients can be achieved. Optimizing at least these parameters will achieve the desired defogging in the optimal time. The thermal properties of the patch should take into account the desired heating rate. For example, a heating rate greater than 5 degrees per minute can cause glass cracking. The composition of the patch is selected to ensure the thermal gradient requirements, heating rate, and maximum temperature that the device can reach, taking into account the characteristics of the automotive glazing and any regulatory or safety requirements.

[0034] In one embodiment, the silver nanowires are sparsely dispersed to achieve substantial transparency of 80-95%. The material composition of the heatable patch must exhibit the desired transparency of 95% or less and a sheet resistance close to a threshold (called the "target"). Furthermore, it must be able to withstand manufacturing process parameters, such as the bending cycles involved in the lamination process of automotive glazing. See Figure 3, which shows a comparative study of the behavior of different materials when considering transparency parameters. One target depicted in the figure represents the desired transparency (the target shown at the top of the graph), and another target depicted in the figure represents the desired sheet resistance (the target shown at the bottom of the graph). As can be seen from the graph, the silver nanowires have the desired value. The transmittance value of silver nanowires is much higher than that of CNTs (carbon nanotubes). The silver nanowires are also close to the target for the sheet resistance parameter, providing optical transparency of 90% or less and a bending resistance of approximately 10,000 cycles or less. After curing (or annealing), the Ag nanowires (NWs) are more resistant to lamination and other manufacturing or operating conditions (such as, but not limited to, voltage cycling). In embodiments, a transparent defogger may be constructed from network patches of metal nanowires, which have suitable mechanical properties, high transparency, low sheet resistance, and are compatible with existing conventional construction and manufacturing-related parameters of vehicle glazing.

[0035] In an embodiment of the present invention, the heating window comprises transparent particles (206a, 206b, 206c) and non-transparent particles (207a, 207b). A side view of this embodiment is shown in FIG. 4a. The glazing disclosed in FIG. 4a comprises at least two panes (201, 205) of glass or other similar material. Each of the panes has a side 1 and a side 2. The glazing unit (200) comprises one or more interlayers (202, 204) of a polymer, such as polyvinyl butyral (PVB). The patch forming the heating window can be disposed directly on the interlayer or any suitable layer of the glazing. Alternatively, it can be provided on a substrate polymer (203), such as polyethylene terephthalate (PET), providing the resulting heatable patch between the glass substrates (201, 205). The heatable patch on the PET substrate (203) can be further laminated with an interlayer. The heating window can be selectively made transparent or non-transparent. For example, the bus bar or power connection can include one or more non-transparent conductive heating wires (207a, 207b). The heatable patch can be a transparent conductive patch. Non-transparent wires can be printed on the glass substrate, the interlayer, or the PET layer. Similarly, transparent patches can be printed on the glass, or the interlayer, or the PET layer. Transparent patches can be coated on the glass, or the interlayer, or the PET layer. Non-transparent particles can be used to expand the heat distribution, and therefore metal components can be used primarily as bus bars.

[0036] In one embodiment of the present invention, the heating window disclosed herein can be used to defog or de-ice specific areas of glazing (100), such as areas over which an imaging system is located. The imaging system can include a camera lens placement, where the lens may require a transparent medium over the glazing to capture an image of an object. See FIG. 4b, which discloses a heating window (300) positioned over a camera area (302) of glazing. It includes a non-transparent heating line made of silver nanoparticles (301) of various thicknesses. The conductive lines of silver nanoparticles comprise a transparent heating line with silver nanowires (303) of varying line widths. In an embodiment, thickness variation can be achieved by varying the ink extrusion characteristics of an inkjet printing module for printing the heatable patch. Alternatively, thickness variation can be achieved by changing coating parameters, such as inlet temperature, lead temperature, coating speed, coating distance from the bed, etc. A transparent patch can be placed on the glazing over a sensitive camera area. The sheet resistance of the nanoparticle ink can range from 0.1 milliohms per square to 10,000 milliohms per square. The length of the wire can range from 1 um to 50 um (1 μm to 50 μm). The length depends on the printing characteristics. So, essentially, you can control the line thickness, and therefore the transparency of the line.

[0037] See FIG. 4c, which discloses a heating system for glazing, such as a windshield. The heating system includes a heating window (400) having at least three heatable patches (402, 403, 404). In an embodiment of the present invention, the heating window (400) is proposed to be laminated within a windshield in which a camera system is located. The camera system includes at least three cameras or lens units, such as camera 1 (or lens L1), camera 2 (or lens L2), and camera 3 (or lens L3). The heatable patches are powered by a common busway having high sheet resistance and low optical transparency; therefore, materials are selected for relatively fast heating. In this embodiment, a patch (402) is provided with sheet resistance and optical transparency that vary from bottom to top, which may be suitable for an ultra-wide-angle lens. A patch (403) has sheet resistance and optical transparency that vary from right to left, which is suitable for placement over a camera area with a relatively short focal length. The following table provides parameters related to the heating window of this embodiment. The applied voltage is considered fixed, so the resistance across the device provided in the table is measured in amperes.

[0038] [Table 1]

[0039] Patches (404) with varying sheet resistance and optical transparency are provided over the main camera area from left to right. The common busway (401) has non-transparent conductive lines made of silver nanoparticle ink, which can be connected to transparent conductive lines or patches coated or printed over sensitive locations to form functionally graded heatable patches for the camera module. The heatable patches (402, 403, 404) each have slightly different localized characteristics. The glass specifications are considered to optimize the defogger line or heated window patch within the glass. For example, the thickness, size, and composition of the glass can be used to derive properties such as the thermal expansion coefficient, tensile stress, etc. Because glass can withstand compressive stress well, crack propagation in the glass is primarily due to tensile stress. The delamination temperature is also estimated based on the location of the heating line or patch.

[0040] Based on these and other relevant parameters, an acceptable temperature gradient and heating rate are fixed for the heating window based on the specific application. The de-icing time of the defogger wire or heating window is such that the maximum glass temperature in the camera zone is 70 degrees or less. The thermal gradient across the camera glass zone is desired to be less than 10 degrees different from the outside air temperature. For a constant voltage, the heat generated is indirectly proportional to resistance and directly proportional to time. Depending on the heating rate, the de-icing time is fixed for the heating system. Alternatively, temperature sensor data from outside the vehicle can be used to derive the acceptable temperature gradient and modify the resistance of the heating wire. The busway or busbar (401) can optionally be both transparent and non-transparent. The transparent patches (402, 403, 404) can be of silver nanowires. This can be provided by a conductive ink, either printed, coated, or etched, and adapted to connect with the non-transparent printed lines of silver nanoparticles (401) around the lens or camera area. [Example]

[0041] Various compositions were investigated, and two examples are provided below as examples: one at 1 mg / ml and the other at 2 mg / ml. It was observed that the various compositions resulted in clear differences in performance, a necessary and desired performance indicator for the variations required for functional grading of the compositions proposed in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present invention. The table shows the device resistance observed for the 1 mg / ml and 2 mg / ml compositions.

[0042] [Table 2]

[0043] See Figure 5a, which shows the transmittance graph for a 2 mg / ml composition. The design and desired specific composition can be dictated according to the aesthetic and use case requirements. Similarly, a suitable solvent (e.g., ethylene glycol, water, IPA solvent, and combinations thereof) can be selected to disperse the silver nanowires. Based on the ink composition, the appropriate concentration can be fine-tuned to obtain the desired wire length for heating.

[0044] Experiment: Thermal tests were carried out to determine whether the heatable patch provides improved uniform heating over a specific area of ​​the glazing where the heating window is located. It was observed that the uniformity of heating was improved using the patch according to the invention. Referring to Figure 5b, temperature measurements are shown in two different areas of the patch that provide substantially uniform heating (small deviations are observed).

[0045] It has been practically observed that heated window patches according to the present invention are configured to meet the desired transparency, haze or distortion levels, optimal heating rate, threshold temperature, heating time, and window and glazing temperature gradients while simultaneously defogging the area. Silver nanowire ink printed prototypes showed increased transparency and haze (optical tests were performed in 2 and 4 passes).

[0046] Non-limiting advantages of the present invention include: The solution of the present invention provides a heating window for functionally graded transparency of heating wires where the required specifications are location specific in nature. The functionally graded material provides the desired transparency, de-icing time, and temperature gradient around the glass and circuit. The material composition of the patch is selected so that the heating system is configured to defog the imaging system, for example, in the camera area on the windshield, in an optimal time. In the present invention, the non-transparent busbar is combined with the transparent patch, thus achieving both cost-effectiveness and heating function. In the present invention, the heating window preferably has a specification that it can be printed as a functionally graded non-transparent to transparent heating line without affecting the performance required of the heating system, and at the same time can have a transparent patch for uniform heating. The solution may be used for driver assistance displays within glazing with desired brightness, providing an immediate experience of a laminated display solution for seamless embedding results.

[0047] It should be noted that not all of the activities described above in the general description or examples are required, some of the specific activities may not be required, and one or more additional activities may be performed in addition to the activities described. Furthermore, the order in which the activities are listed is not necessarily the order in which they are performed.

[0048] Benefits, other advantages, and solutions to problems have been described above with respect to particular embodiments. However, the benefits, advantages, solutions to problems, and any one or more optional features that may cause any benefit, advantage, or solution to occur or may make it more noticeable are not to be construed as key, essential, or essential features of any or all claims.

[0049] The details and illustrations of the embodiments described herein are intended to provide a general understanding of the structure of various embodiments. The details and illustrations are not intended as an exhaustive or comprehensive description of all of the elements and features of apparatus and systems that utilize the structures or methods described herein. For clarity, certain features that are described herein in the context of separate embodiments may also be provided in combination in a single embodiment. Conversely, for brevity, various features that are described in the context of a single embodiment may also be provided separately or in any subcombination. Furthermore, references to values ​​described within ranges include each and every value within that range. Many other embodiments may become apparent to those skilled in the art upon reading this description. Other embodiments may be utilized and derived from the present disclosure, such that structural substitutions, logical substitutions, or other changes may be made without departing from the scope of the disclosure. Accordingly, the present disclosure is to be considered illustrative and not restrictive.

[0050] The description in combination with the figures is provided to aid in understanding the teachings disclosed herein, is provided to aid in explaining the teachings, and should not be construed as limiting the scope or applicability of the teachings, however, other teachings may be used in the present application.

[0051] As used herein, the terms "comprises," "comprising," "includes," "including," "has," "having," or any other variation thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion. For example, a method, article, or apparatus that includes a list of features is not necessarily limited to only those features but may include other features not expressly listed or that are inherent in such method, article, or apparatus. Furthermore, unless expressly stated to the contrary, "or" refers to an inclusive disjunction, not an exclusive disjunction. For example, condition A or condition B is satisfied by any one of the following: A is true (or present) and B is false (or absent), A is false (or absent) and B is true (or present), or both A and B are true (or present).

[0052] Additionally, the use of "a" or "an" is employed to describe elements and components described herein. This is merely for convenience and to give a general sense of the scope of the invention. This description should be read to include one or at least one, and the singular also includes the plural, and vice versa, unless otherwise clearly indicated. For example, where a single item is described herein, the plural items may be substituted for the single item. Similarly, where multiple items are described herein, the single item may be substituted for the multiple items.

[0053] Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. The materials, methods, and examples are illustrative only and are not intended to be limiting. Unless specific details regarding particular materials and processing acts are described, such details may include conventional approaches that can be found in reference books and other sources within the manufacturing arts.

[0054] While aspects of the present disclosure have been shown and described with particular reference to the above embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various additional embodiments may be contemplated by modifying the disclosed machines, systems, and methods without departing from the spirit and scope of what is disclosed. Such embodiments should be understood to fall within the scope of the present disclosure as determined by the claims and any equivalents thereof.

[0055] A list of reference numerals and corresponding features appearing in the accompanying drawings: [Explanation of symbols]

[0056] 100, 20 Glazing 110, 300, 400 heated window 111 Heatable Patch 113 Metal Nanocomponents 114 Power Unit / Busway 115 Camera Area 201, 205 Glass 202, 204 Middle class 203 Polymer substrate 207a, 207b Non-transparent conductive unit 206a Transparent conductive unit 301 Silver Nanoparticles 302 Camera Area 303 Silver nanowires 401 Common bus bar 402 Patch on the first camera lens L1 403 Patch on the second camera lens L2 404 Patch on the third camera lens L3

Claims

1. A heated window (110) on an automobile glazing (100), comprising: One or more heatable patches (111) composed of a functionally graded material containing metal nanocomponents (113) dispersed in a solvent (112); a power supply unit (114) configured to supply power to the one or more heatable patches; and wherein the automotive glazing (100) comprises a laminated unit of at least two panes of glass or polymer with an interlayer sandwiched therebetween; and A heating window (110) in which the one or more heatable patches (111) have optimal optical and thermal performance to provide improved uniform heating over the specific area of ​​the glazing where the heating window is located.

2. The heating window (110) of claim 1, wherein the specific area of ​​the glazing (100) is on an imaging system location.

3. 10. The heating window (110) of claim 1, wherein the patch (111) is configured to exhibit a required thermal and transparency gradient.

4. The material composition of the patch has the following parameters: manufacturing parameters, transparency, thermal gradients, and other thermal parameters of the window and the glazing; The heating window (110) of claim 1, selected based on one or more of:

5. 10. The heating window (110) of claim 1, wherein the composition of the functionally graded material is adapted to provide location-specific optical and thermal functionality, and the material exhibits the same or different functionality at different locations of the window.

6. The heating window (110) of claim 2, wherein the material composition of the patch is such that the window is optimized for the required optical acuity requirements of the imaging system.

7. 10. The heating window (110) of claim 1, wherein the solvent is an adhesive solvent, whereby the patch comprises a plurality of silver nanowires and silver nanoparticles dispersed in the solvent.

8. The heating window (110) of claim 7, wherein the silver nanowires are sparsely dispersed to obtain a substantial transparency of 80-95%.

9. The heating window (110) of claim 1, wherein the patch (111) comprises a scratch-resistant, temperature-resistant, and corrosion-resistant sealant.

10. 10. The heating window (110) of claim 9, wherein the encapsulant is a metal oxide having a transparency corresponding to the transparency of the patch.

11. An automobile glazing (100) comprising a heating window (110) according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the automobile glazing is a windshield, a sidelight, a backlight or a quarterlight.

12. 11. A heating system comprising one or more heating windows according to any one of claims 1 to 10, said heating system being configured to heat an area on an imaging system from a first temperature to a second temperature in an optimal time.

13. 13. The heating system of claim 12, wherein the patch of the heating window is configured to meet a desired transparency, haze or distortion level, optimal heating rate, threshold temperature, heating time, and temperature gradient of the window and the glazing while simultaneously defogging the area.

Images