Systems with curved infrared rejection coatings

Abstract

A transparent structure may have structural layers such as an inner layer and an outer layer. The transparent structure may be curved. At least one of the inner layer and the outer layer may be coated with an infrared rejection coating. The infrared rejection coating may be formed from a textured metal layer or textured dielectric layer that blocks infrared light while diffusively reflecting some visible light. To form the infrared rejection coating on the curved transparent substrate, a film may be interposed between the infrared rejection coating and the curved transparent structure. The film may be weakened in regions that will overlap areas of the transparent structure with high geometric strain. When the film and infrared rejection coating are formed into a curvature that matches the curved transparent substrate, the infrared rejection coating may be subject to less strain due to the weakened regions of the film.

Description

Systems With Curved Infrared Rejection CoatingsThis application claims the benefit of U.S. provisional application No. 63 / 518,299, filed August 8, 2023, which is hereby incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.Field

[0001] This relates generally to structures that pass light, and, more particularly, to transparent structures.Background

[0002] Transparent structures, such as windows, generally include transparent layers, such as glass layers. If care is not taken, the glass layers may pass an undesired amount of infrared light.Summary

[0003] A system such as a vehicle, a building, or an electronic device may have transparent structures, such as windows. A transparent structure may separate an interior region from an exterior region, such as the interior and exterior regions of a vehicle. A transparent structure may have structural layers such as an inner glass layer and an outer glass layer. The inner and outer glass layers may be separated by an air gap, and / or the space between the inner and outer glass layers may be filled with interlayers. The outer glass layer may be transparent, while the inner glass layer may be tinted, such as using active tinting.

[0004] One or more infrared rejection coatings may be applied to the inner and / or outer glass layers. The infrared rejection coating may be formed from multiple metal layers that block infrared light. At least one of these metal layers may be textured to diffusively reflect at least some of the visible light that is incident on the coating. Alternatively, the infrared rejection coating may be formed from dielectrics, such as dielectric layers with alternating high and low indexes of refraction. The dielectrics may be textured to diffusively reflect at least some of the visible light that is incident on the coating.

[0005] The transparent structure may be curved. To form the infrared rejection coating on the curved transparent structure, a film may be interposed between the infrared rejection coating and the curved transparent structure. The film may be weakened in regions that willoverlap areas of the transparent structure with high geometric strain. For example, the film may be locally thinned, seamed, or amorphized to form the weakened regions.

[0006] The film and infrared rejection coating may be formed into a curvature that matches the curved transparent substrate, such as by thermoforming. During these forming operations, the infrared rejection coating may be subject to less strain due to the weakened regions of the film.

[0007] The transparent structure may form a part of a vehicle, such as canopy that extends over the windshield, roof glass, and / or backlite, or may be a clear pre-formed polymer two- dimensional or three-dimensional substrate, such as polycarbonate. A vehicle canopy may extend from a front of the vehicle to a rear of the vehicle, and between sides of the vehicle.Brief Description of the Drawings

[0008] FIG. l is a schematic diagram of an illustrative system in accordance with some embodiments.

[0009] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional side view of an illustrative transparent structure having an infrared rejection coating in accordance with some embodiments.

[0010] FIG. 3 is a side view of an illustrative transparent structure having an infrared rejection coating in the interior of the transparent structure and attached to a transparent layer with a film in accordance with some embodiments.

[0011] FIG. 4 is a side view of an illustrative transparent structure having an infrared rejection coating on the exterior of the transparent structure and attached to a transparent layer with a film in accordance with some embodiments.

[0012] FIG. 5 is a side view of an illustrative infrared rejection coating in accordance with some embodiments.

[0013] FIG. 6 is a side view of an illustrative curved transparent structure having an infrared rejection coating in accordance with some embodiments.

[0014] FIG. 7 is a flowchart of illustrative steps that may be used to form an infrared rejection coating on a curved substrate in accordance with some embodiments.

[0015] FIG. 8 is a side view of an infrared rejection coating on a film with weakened regions in accordance with some embodiments.

[0016] FIG. 9 is a front view of an illustrative curved transparent substrate that may be coated with an infrared rejection coating in accordance with some embodiments.

[0017] FIG. 10A is a side view of an illustrative system that may include a transparent structure in accordance with some embodiments.

[0018] FIG. 10B is a front view of an illustrative system that may include a transparent structure in accordance with some embodiments.Detailed Description

[0019] A system may have transparent structures, such as windows. The transparent structures may include structures for blocking infrared light. Optionally, additional coatings, such as antireflection layers, or electro-optically adjustable components may also be incorporated into the transparent structures. The system may be an electronic device, a building, a vehicle, or other suitable system. Illustrative configurations in which the system with the transparent structures is a vehicle may sometimes be described herein as an example. This is merely illustrative. Transparent structures may be formed in any suitable system.

[0020] The electrically adjustable components of the transparent structures may be used to adjust the optical properties of the windows. For example, electrically adjustable transparent structures may be adjusted to change the absorption (and / or reflection) of light and therefore the light transmission of the transparent structures. An adjustable light modulator layer (e.g., an adjustable tint layer) may, for example, serve as an electrically adjustable sunroof for a rooftop window or may be used to implement an electrically adjustable shade for a side, front, or rear window. In an illustrative configuration, the transparency of the transparent structure may be modulated using a liquid crystal light modulator such as a guest-host liquid crystal light modulator or cholesteric liquid crystal light modulator. Adjustable optical component layers may also be used to display images, to provide illumination, and / or to otherwise adjust the appearance and behavior of a window.

[0021] A transparent structure for the system may include multiple glass layers. For example, a window may include an inner transparent structural layer (sometimes referred to as an inner glass layer) and an outer transparent structural layer (sometimes referred to as an outer glass layer). The inner and outer layers of the window may be separated by a gap. The gap may be filled with air or may be filled with a polymer, liquid, or other functional dielectric. Alternatively, the gap may be a vacuum (e.g., the transparent structure may be an evacuated sealed glazing with support micro pillars). Illustrative configurations in which the inner and outer glass layers are separated by polymer, such as a polymer adhesive, aresometimes described herein as an example.

[0022] The glass layers of a window may be single-layer glass layers (e.g., single layers of heat strengthened or tempered glass) or, in some configurations, may be multi-layer structures formed, for example, from first and second glass layers that are laminated together. A laminated glass layer may have a polymer such as polyvinyl butyral (PVB) that joins first and second glass layers to form a sheet of laminated glass. Multi-layer glass structures (laminated glass layers formed from two or more laminated glass layers with interposed PVB) and single-layer glass layers may include optional tinting (e.g., dye, pigment, etc.). Polymer layers in laminated glass layers (e.g., PVB layers) may also optionally be passively tinted.

[0023] As an alternative to glass, polymer layers may be used in forming windows. For example, windows may include one or more polymer layers, such as polycarbonate or acrylic layers. Laminated window structures may be formed from multiple polymer layers with an interlayer, such as a thermoplastic urethane (TPU) interlayer. In general, any desired interlayer may be used.

[0024] In some cases, it may be desirable to reduce an amount of infrared light that passes through a transparent structure. For example, reducing the amount of infrared light passing through a window may reduce the amount of heat that enters a system, such as an electronic device, vehicle, or building. To reduce the amount of infrared light passing through the window, an infrared light rejection coating may be incorporated on one or more layers, such as glass or polymer layers, in the window. Examples in which an infrared light rejection coating is coupled to glass window layers are sometimes described herein, but the infrared light rejection coating may be applied on any desired layers.

[0025] Moreover, it may be desirable that the transparent structure have appearance characteristics that match surrounding portions of the system (e.g., the vehicle). For example, if the transparent structure is surrounded by plastic or metal, it may be desirable for the window to have diffuse reflectance, low haze, and an angle-independent color appearance. Additionally, it may be desirable for the transparent structure to have a matte (or less glossy) appearance.

[0026] The infrared light rejection coating may include one or more infrared reflective layers (such as silver layers or a stack of dielectric layers with alternating high and low refractive indexes) that reduce the amount of infrared light that passes through the transparentstructure. In some embodiments, the infrared reflective layers may be textured and / or additional diffusive particles may be included in the coating to create a diffuse reflection. In other words, the infrared rejection coating may be a diffuse infrared light rejection coating. At the same time, the transparent structure may have clear (e.g., non-diffuse) transmission. In this way, the appearance of the transparent window with the infrared light rejection coating may match the appearance of the surrounding metal or plastic portions of the system.

[0027] Alternatively, the infrared light rejection coating may be non-diffuse. In other words, the infrared light rejection coating may reflect light specularly.

[0028] To coat a diffuse infrared light rejection coating or a non-diffuse reflective infrared light rejection coating onto a three-dimensional surface, such as a curved window in a vehicle, the infrared light rejection coating may be first coated onto a film, such as a PET film. The film may then be weakened, such as through thinning or seaming. After weakening the film, the film and infrared rejection coating may be thermoformed to the shape of the three-dimensional surface and be applied to the three-dimensional surface. In this way, an infrared light rejection coating may be applied to a three-dimensional surface.

[0029] An illustrative system of the type that may include transparent structures with one or more infrared light rejection coatings shown in FIG. 1. System 10 may be an electronic device, a vehicle, a building, or any other desired system. For example, system 10 may be an electronic device, such as a cell phone, a laptop computer, a desktop computer, a tablet computer, a television, or any other desired electronic device. The electronic device may include a device housing, a display on a front face of the device housing, and electronic components within the device housing. In other examples, system 10 may be a vehicle having a body with a chassis to which wheels are mounted, propulsion and steering systems, and other vehicle systems. The vehicle body may include doors, trunk structures, a hood, side body panels, a roof, and / or other body structures. The vehicle body may be formed from plastic, metal, glass, and / or other suitable materials. Seats may be formed in the interior of the body. However, these examples are merely illustrative. In general, system 10 may be any desired system.

[0030] Regardless of the particular system, system 10 may include transparent structures such as transparent structure(s) 16 (also referred to as window(s) 16 herein). Transparent structures 16 may separate the interior of system 10 from the exterior environment that is surrounding system 10. For example, transparent structures 16 may include windows on thefront and / or rear of an electronic device; on the front, rear, and sides of a vehicle; or on the sides of a building, as examples. In some illustrative embodiments, transparent structures 16 may include a windshield, a backlite, one or more side windows, a canopy (e.g., a single piece canopy that extends over the areas traditionally occupied by the windshield, backlite, and roof glass), and / or a roof glass. In some illustrative embodiments, a transparent structure, such as a windshield or canopy, may extend over headlights of the vehicle (e.g., the headlights may operate through the transparent structure). In general, however, windows 16 may be formed in any desired locations within any desired systems.

[0031] Input-output devices 21 may include sensors, audio components, displays, and other components. For example, input-output devices 21 may provide output to an occupant of a vehicle, may make measurements of the environment surrounding the vehicle, and / or may gather input from an occupant of the vehicle. If desired, some of the input-output devices may operate through transparent structure(s) 16. In some examples, input-output devices 21 may include communication devices, such as radios, that receive and / or send radio waves through transparent structure(s) 16. In other examples, input-output devices 21 may include optical sensors, such as cameras, ambient light sensors, light detection and ranging (LIDAR) sensors, radar sensors, or other suitable sensors that operate through transparent structure(s) 16.

[0032] Controller 23 may include storage and processing circuitry such as volatile and nonvolatile memory, microprocessors, application-specific integrated circuits, digital signal processors, microcontroller, and other circuitry for controlling the operation of the system, such as the vehicle. During operation, controller 23 may control the components of the vehicle based on input from input-output devices 21.

[0033] An illustrative configuration for a transparent structure such as one of transparent structures 16 of FIG. 1 is shown in FIG. 2. As shown in FIG. 2, transparent structure 16 may separate interior region 14 (e.g., a region inside system 10, such as a region inside a vehicle - also referred to as interior 14 herein) from exterior region 18 (e.g., a region on the outside of system 10, such as region outside the vehicle - also referred to as exterior 18 herein). Transparent structure 16 may include inner layer 20 and outer layer 22. Layers 20 and 22 may be glass layers, ceramic layers, sapphire layers, polymer layers (such as polycarbonate or acrylic layers), or any other desired layers, and may be transparent or partially transparent (e.g., may be tinted to reduce the transmission of some visible light). Layers 20 and 22 maybe also referred to as substrates herein (e.g., when coatings are applied to the layers).

[0034] Layers 20 and 22 may be formed from single-layer glass structures and / or multilayer glass structures. These layers may be strengthened (e.g., by annealing, tempering, and / or chemical strengthening). In general, inner layer 20 may be a single-layer glass structure (e.g., a single layer of tempered glass) or a laminated glass layer and outer layer 22 may be a single-layer glass structure (e.g., a single layer of tempered glass) or a laminated glass layer. In embodiments in which layer 20 and / or layer 22 are laminated glass layers, they may include multiple layers of glass that are laminated together using one or more polymer layers. In embodiments in which layer 20 and / or layer 22 are laminated polymer layers, they may include multiple layers of polymer that are laminated together using one or more additional polymer layers. The polymer layers may be a layer of polyvinyl butyral, thermoplastic polyurethane, or other suitable polymer for attaching the glass layers.

[0035] Layers 20 and 22 may be separated by gap 25. Gap 25 may be an air gap, or gap 25 may be filled with any desired substance. For example, gap 25 may be filled with a polymer, liquid, or other dielectric. In some cases, gap 25 may be omitted, if desired. For example, gap 25 may be filled by one or more other materials, such as optically clear adhesive (OCA). In some embodiments, electronic components, such as lights, displays, liquid crystal layers, and / or other components, may be incorporated in gap 25 to provide transparent structure 16 with an adjustable appearance. For example, transparent structure 16 may have an adjustable tint, adjustable haze, adjustable color, adjustable display, adjustable color, and / or other adjustable appearance.

[0036] Light, such as light 27, may be incident on transparent structure 16. As shown in FIG. 2, light 27 may be incident on outer layer 22, having reached transparent structure 16 from exterior region 18. Light 27 may include visible, infrared, ultraviolet, and other wavelengths. To reduce the transmission of infrared light through transparent structure 16, inner layer 20 may be coated with infrared rejection coating 24, which may reflect infrared light (e.g., infrared wavelengths of light 27) from reaching interior region 14. Reducing the infrared light passing through transparent structure 16 may reduce the heat transferred to interior region 14 from exterior region 18.

[0037] Although light 27 is shown as being in exterior region 18, light with undesirable infrared components may be in interior region 14 and blocked by infrared rejection coating 24 on inner layer 20, as well.

[0038] Although infrared rejection coating 24 is shown in FIG. 2 as being on the outer surface of inner layer 20, this is merely illustrative. As shown in FIG. 2, infrared rejection coating 24 may be at location 24' on the inner surface of outer layer 22 instead of or in addition to being on inner layer 20. Alternatively or additionally, infrared rejection coating 24 may be formed on the outside of transparent structure 16 (i.e., on the outer surface of outer layer 22 or the inner surface of inner layer 20), or may be formed on an additional layer that is formed between inner layer 20 and outer layer 22. In general, infrared rejection coating 24 may be formed anywhere within window 16 to reduce the amount of infrared light that passes through transparent structure 16.

[0039] If infrared rejection coating 24 is formed on a polymer layer, such as a layer of polycarbonate, it may be desirable to include an additional coating layer between infrared rejection coating 24 and the polymer layer. For example, a coating layer may be applied (e.g., through chemical vapor deposition (CVD) on the polymer layer prior to applying infrared rejection coating 24. The coating layer may reduce the stress on the polymer when infrared rejection coating 24 is deposited and may be formed from any desired material. In some examples, the coating layer may be a hybrid coating layer such as SiOCH or any SiOxCy:H material. For example, the hybrid coating layer may be formed from hexamethyldisiloxane (HMDSO). However, these materials are merely illustrative. In general, the hybrid coating may be formed from any desired material, such as ZrOC:H or TiOC:H. The coating may also be an anti -reflection layer, as it may have a refractive index that is the same or slightly higher than the underlying polymer. The refractive index of the coating may be graded, if desired.

[0040] Regardless of where one or more infrared rejection coatings, such as infrared rejection coating 24, are formed, the infrared reflection coatings may include one or more layers to reflect infrared light. An illustrative stack up of a transparent structure having an infrared rejection coating is shown in FIG. 3.

[0041] As shown in FIG. 3, transparent structure 16 may include transparent layer 22 at exterior 18 and layer 20 at interior 14. In some embodiments, transparent layer 22 may be formed from glass, sapphire, polycarbonate, or other transparent material, and layer 20 may be formed from tinted glass, tinted sapphire, tinted polycarbonate, or other tinted material (e.g., a black frit layer on a transparent layer). However, these materials are merely illustrative. In general, one or both of layers 20 or 22 may be tinted, or both layers 20 and 22may be transparent. Moreover, in some embodiments, an active tint layer (e.g., a liquid crystal layer) may be incorporated between layers 20 and 22. The active tint layer may be adjusted, such as by a controller in a vehicle, to adjust the tint level of transparent structure 16. Alternatively or additionally, an adjustable haze layer, a light (or light guide), a display, and / or other adjustable components may be incorporated between layers 20 and 22.

[0042] Layer 26 may be a polyvinyl butyral (PVB) layer, or may be another suitable adhesive layer, such as an optically-clear adhesive (OCA). Layer 26 may bond the transparent layers to one another and to the other layers between the transparent layers. Layer 26 may be index-matched to transparent layer 20 (and / or to transparent layer 22). In other words, layer 26 may have a refractive index within 0.1, within 0.2, or within 0.3 of the refractive index of layers 20 (and / or layer 22), as examples. In some embodiments, layer 26 may also be index-matched to one another and / or to the layers in transparent structure 16. For example, intervening layers may have a gradient of refractive index values that gradually changes within transparent structure 16.

[0043] Although not shown in FIG. 4, one or more layers may be interposed between layer 26 and IRR coating 24. For example, an active tint layer (e.g., a cholesteric liquid crystal layer) may be between layer 26 and IRR coating 24. Alternatively or additionally, an active haze layer, a lighting layer, a display layer, and / or other suitable layers may be incorporated between layer 26 and IRR coating 24.

[0044] Infrared rejection (IRR) coating 24 may be formed on film 29 as stack 46. Stack 46 may in turn may be formed on transparent layer 22 and layer 26. Film 29 may be, for example, a polyethylene terephthalate (PET) layer, or another suitable polymer layer.

[0045] Coating 24 may include one or more metal layers, such as a silver layer, and / or may include multiple dielectric layers with alternating high and low indexes of refraction. The metal layer and / or colored dielectric layers may be colored or uncolored, to impart a desired appearance on structure 16.

[0046] If IRR coating 24 is a diffuse IRR coating, then at least one of the metal layers or dielectric layers used to block infrared light may have a textured surface. The textured surface may have random texture, pseudo-random texture, or other texture. For example, the textured surface may include textured features, such as protrusions, that are have a roughness (e.g., height) of at least 0.3 microns, of between 0.1 and 0.5 microns, of less than 0.5 microns, or other suitable roughness. The textured features may be separated laterally by at least 500nm, by less than 1 micron, by at least 100 microns, by between 100 microns and 750 microns, by between 500 and 750 microns, or other suitable distance. The textured features may be micro-facetted surface structures.

[0047] Infrared light may be rejected by IRR coating 24. In particular, infrared light may be absorbed and / or reflected by IRR coating 24 to prevent the infrared light from passing through structure 16. The textured surface may include textured features that are spaced apart to prevent diffusion of infrared light. Therefore, any infrared light reflected by IRR coating 24 may be reflected specularly, rather than diffusely. In other words, by spacing the textured features apart at a distance that is less than infrared wavelengths (e.g., less than the maximum infrared wavelength, such as 2.5 microns), the textured surface may not diffuse infrared light and may act as a conventional IRR coating with respect to infrared light. For example, spacing textured features apart by approximately 500 nm, by less than 1 micron, between 250 nm and 750 nm, or other suitable distance, may prevent the textured surface from diffusing infrared light.

[0048] However, with respect to visible light, IRR coating 24 may allow some visible light to pass and may diffuse other portions of visible light as diffused light. In particular, due to the texture of IRR coating 24, at least some visible light may be diffusely reflected as diffuse light. For example, diffuse light may be diffused with a Lambertian reflectance profile. In this way, transparent structure 16 may have a matte appearance. However, this is merely illustrative. In general, light may be diffused with any suitable reflectance profile.

[0049] IRR coating 24 may pass at least 5% of incident visible light, at least 10% of incident visible light, between 5% and 25% of incident visible light, or other suitable amount of incident visible light. In this way, transparent structure 16 may pass some incident light, allowing viewers to see through transparent structure 16, while diffusely reflecting a majority of incident visible light.

[0050] In general, by reflecting light with diffuse reflection, transparent structure 16 (with IRR coating 24) may match an appearance of other materials in system 10. For example, if transparent structure 16 is formed in a vehicle and is surrounded by paint / plastic portions of a body of the vehicle, transparent structure 16 may reflect diffuse light in a similar or the same fashion as the surrounding portions of the vehicle body.

[0051] Additional layer(s) may be incorporated into IRR coating 24 to match the surrounding portions of system 10, if desired. For example, one or more ceramic layers maybe included to provide increased reflections from IRR coating 24. Additionally or alternatively, metal layers and / or layers with metal particles in a substrate (e.g., a polymer binder) may be incorporated into IRR coating 24. The additional layers may allow the appearance of IRR coating 24 to match the appearance of system 10, or may provide IRR coating 24 with another desired appearance.

[0052] In some embodiments, less than 10% of visible light reflected by coating 24 (such as 6% of reflected light) may be specular, while the rest of the reflected visible light is diffuse. However, this is merely illustrative. In general, coating 24 may reflect any suitable amounts of specular or diffuse light.

[0053] Alternatively, IRR coating 24 may be a non-diffuse IRR coating. In these embodiments, IRR coating 24 may be formed from metal layers and / or dielectric layers that reject infrared light, without having the texture that diffuses visible light. In this way, IRR coating 24 may reflect light specularly, instead of diffusely.

[0054] In some embodiments, IRR coating 24 may include ultraviolet (UV) light blocking layers, and / or UV light blocking layers may be incorporated as other layers between transparent layers 20 and 22. For example, a silver layer in IRR coating 24 or otherwise within structure 16 may be used to reflect or otherwise block UV light, and / or silver plasmonic particles may be incorporated into a layer within IRR coating 24 or otherwise within structure 16 to reflect UV light. If IRR coating 24 includes UV light reflecting layers, IRR coating 24 may be configured to block infrared light and UV light, while scattering visible light, such as diffusely scattering the visible light.

[0055] Although FIG. 3 shows IRR coating 24 between layers 20 and 22, this is merely illustrative. In some embodiments, IRR coating 24 may be formed on an exterior surface of structure 16 (e.g., on the exterior of system 10). An illustrative example is shown in FIG. 4.

[0056] As shown in FIG. 4, IRR coating 24 may be formed on transparent layer 22 at exterior 18 of structure 16. If desired, IRR coating 24 may be formed on a film, such as film 29 of FIG. 3 (e.g., a PET film) to form a stack, such as stack 46 of FIG. 3. The stack may then be formed on transparent layer 22 (e.g., the film may be interposed between transparent layer 22 and IRR coating 24).

[0057] Interlayer(s) 28 may be formed between transparent layers 20 and 22. Interlayer(s) 28 may include one or more adhesive layers, such as OCA layers (e.g., a PVB layer); one or more active tint, haze, lighting, display, and / or other active layers; and / or a filter layer, suchas UV filter layer. In some illustrative examples, interlayer 28 may include an active tint layer and a UV filter layer that includes a silver layer and / or silver plasmonic particles to reflect UV light. In general, however, interlayer(s) 28 may include any desired layers.

[0058] Regardless of the location of IRR coating 24 in transparent structure 16, IRR coating 24 may block infrared light while transmitting visible light. An illustrative example of an IRR coating that may be incorporated into transparent structure 16 is shown in FIG. 5.

[0059] Spacer layer 31 (also referred to as barrier layer 31 herein) may be formed on a substrate, such as one of transparent layers 20 or 22 (FIG. 2). Spacer layer 31 may be an amorphous layer and may be dense to protect the underlying transparent layer and the layers above spacer layer 31 while they are deposited. Spacer layer 31 may have a thickness of less than 50 nm, of greater than 20 nm, of between 20 nm and 30 nm, or other suitable thickness.

[0060] In general, spacer layer 31 may have an index of refraction close to that of the underlying transparent layer to reduce the reflection of light incident on the transparent layer. For example, spacer layer 31 may have an index of refraction between 1.2 and 1.7, between 1.2 and 1.5, between 1.5 and 1.7, between 1.7 and 2, or any other desired value. In this way, spacer layer 31 may form an antireflection coating on the transparent layer.

[0061] In some examples, spacer layer 31 may be a zinc oxide. For example, ZnSnOx may be used to form barrier spacer layer 31. Alternatively, spacer layer 31 may include TiOx, bismuth oxide, SiN, SiZrOxNy, NbO, another binary oxide, or any other desired material.

[0062] If the underlying transparent layer is formed from a polymer, such as polycarbonate, it may be desirable to include an additional coating layer between the transparent layer and spacer layer 31. For example, a coating layer may be applied (e.g., through chemical vapor deposition (CVD)) on the transparent layer prior to applying spacer layer 31. The coating layer may reduce the stress on the polymer of the transparent layer when the rest of the stack up is deposited and may be formed from any desired material. In some examples, the coating layer may be a hybrid coating layer such as SiOCH, any SiOxCy:H material (such as HMDSO), ZrOC:H, TiOC:H, or other desired hybrid material. The coating may also be an anti-reflection layer, as it may have a refractive index that is the same or slightly higher than the underlying polymer. The refractive index of the coating may be graded, if desired.

[0063] Seed layer 33 may be formed on spacer layer 31. Seed layer 33 may be a doped zinc oxide layer, such as Al doped ZnOx, or may be any other desired layer which would promote the growth of highly textured Ag, such as NiO. In some examples, seed layer 33 may be acrystalline layer. However, any desired material may be used to form seed layer 33. In general, seed layer 33 may facilitate the deposition of a high quality (Real(n) < 0.1, preferably Real part (n) less than 0.07 at 550 nm) IRR coating 24.

[0064] Seed layer 33 may have a thickness of less than 10 nm, less than 5 nm, between 2 nm and 7 nm, or other suitable thickness.

[0065] Infrared reflective layer 35 may be formed on seed layer 33. Infrared reflective layer 35 may be silver, or may be another desired infrared reflective material. In some examples, infrared reflective layer 35 may be a polycrystalline silver layer. Infrared reflective layer 35 may have any desired thickness, such as less than 30 nm, more than 8 nm, between 15-30 nm, between 10 nm and 20 nm, or other desired thickness. In one illustrative embodiment, infrared reflective layer 35 may have a thickness equal to the grain size of the polycrystalline silver forming infrared reflective layer 35. For example, the grain size may be 15-30 nm and the thickness of infrared reflective layer 35 may be 15-30 nm. In other words, infrared reflective layer 35 may be a poly crystalline silver layer that is one grain thick.

[0066] If desired, infrared reflective layer 35 may be patterned. For example, material within infrared reflective layer 35, such as silver, may interfere with the transmission of waves, such as radio waves. If it is desirable to have radio waves pass through window 16 (e.g., if system 10 is a vehicle, a building, or an electronic device), infrared reflective layer 35 may be pattered to have openings. As a result, waves, such as radio waves, may pass through the openings unimpeded, while the remaining portions of infrared reflective layer 35 block infrared light from passing through window 16.

[0067] If infrared reflective layer 35 is exposed to an edge of transparent structure 16 (e.g., as shown in FIG. 2), infrared reflective layer 35 may be modified to prevent corrosion. For example, a corrosion-resistance material, such as zinc, gold, or other suitable material, may be added to the silver (or other metal) that provides infrared reflectivity. The specific corrosion-resistance material may be determined to ensure thermodynamic stability and a suitable lattice structure of infrared reflective layer 35.

[0068] In some embodiments, the corrosion-resistance material may form less than 3%, less than 5%, between 2% and 7%, or other suitable proportion of infrared reflective layer 35. The corrosion-resistance material may preferentially leach into the environment surrounding transparent structure 16, and may therefore prevent corrosion to infrared reflective layer 35.

[0069] Alternatively or additionally, IRR coating 24 may be etched very close to the edgeof transparent structure 16. In other words, an edge of IRR coating 24 may be separated from the edge of transparent structure 16 by a gap, such as a gap of less than 8 mm from the edge of transparent structure 16. For example, the edge of IRR coating 24 may be separated from the edge of transparent structure 16 by a gap of less than 500 microns, 200 microns or less, less than 250 nm, between 100 microns and 200 and microns, between 250 nm (or approximately 250 nm) and 500 microns (or approximately 500 microns) or other suitable distance. To form the gap, laser etching may be used, as an example. In other words, the edge of IRR coating 24 may be laser-etched using a suitable laser, such as a femto-second laser, a pico-second laser, a micro-second laser, or a nano-second laser. The laser may be used to etch entirely through IRR coating 24, or at least through the metal (e.g., silver) layers of IRR coating 24. Such a gap from the edge may be smaller than traditional coatings, while infrared reflective layer(s) 35 may be protected from environmental corrosion by being spaced apart from the edge (such as by applying a laminate over IRR coating 24 and / or causing the metal of infrared reflective layer(s) 35 to become discontinuous / diffuse at the edge).

[0070] Getter layer 37 may be formed on infrared reflective layer 35. Getter layer 37 may include lossy dielectric material. For example, getter layer 37 may include amorphous material, such as amorphous silicon or amorphous germanium, may include ink, and / or may include nanoparticles. The nanoparticles may be metal nanoparticles, such as silver nanoparticles. Alternatively or additionally, getter layer 37 may include a Zn layer, an Al layer, an AlZn layer, an Al-rich AIN layer, a Ti layer, a NiCr layer, and / or an alloy layer.

[0071] Getter layer 37 may have a thickness of 2 nm or less, 5 nm or less, between 1 nm and 2 nm, or any other desired thickness. Regardless of the thickness and material of getter layer 37, the getter layer may protect infrared reflective layer 35 (e.g., a silver layer) from oxidizing as other layers are deposited over infrared reflective layer 35. For example, oxygen gas may be used during the deposition of layers over infrared reflective layer 35, which would otherwise oxidize the silver (or other material) within infrared reflective layer 35. In this way, getter layer 37 may help prevent the oxygen gas from reaching infrared reflective layer 35 and oxidizing the material forming infrared reflective layer 35.

[0072] This stack of layers may be repeated any desired number of times to ensure sufficient infrared reflectivity. For example, an infrared rejection coating may include at least three infrared reflective layers, at least four infrared reflective layers, or any otherdesired number of infrared reflective layers.

[0073] Overcoat layer 41 may be formed on the top of the infrared reflection coating stack. Overcoat layer 41 may be formed from any desired material, such as a polymer material, a dielectric material, or an oxide material. In some examples, overcoat layer 41 may include an ZrSiOx, AlSiOx, SiOx, or SiON layer. In some embodiments, a spacer layer, such as spacer layer 39, may be incorporated between overcoat layer 41 and the top of the infrared reflection coating stack. Spacer layer 39 may be a dielectric layer or other suitable layer. However, regardless of whether spacer layer 39 is included, overcoat layer 41 may be formed on the infrared reflection coating stack, and infrared reflective layer(s) 35 may be further protected from corrosion. In some embodiments, for example, overcoat layer 41 may wrap around an edge of infrared reflective layer(s) 35.

[0074] An infrared rejection coating, such as coating 24, may be formed on any desired transparent structure, such as window 16. In some examples, an infrared reflection coating may be formed on a curved transparent structure. An example of this arrangement is shown in FIG. 6.

[0075] As shown in FIG. 6, transparent structure 16 may include curved layer 58. Curved layer 58 may be an inner or outer window layer, such as layer 20 or layer 22 of FIG. 2. Curved layer 58 may be formed from glass, ceramic, sapphire, polycarbonate, acrylic, or any other desired material. Curved layer 58 may be formed from a single-layer glass structure and / or multi-layer glass structures. Curved layer 58 may be strengthened (e.g., by annealing, tempering, and / or chemical strengthening), if desired. In general, curved layer 58 may be a single-layer glass structure (e.g., a single layer of tempered glass) or a laminated glass layer. In embodiments in which curved layer 58 is a laminated glass layer, curved layer 58 may include multiple layers of glass that are laminated together using one or more polymer layers. The polymer layers may be a layer of polyvinyl butyral or other suitable polymer for attaching the glass layers.

[0076] Although the side view of window 16 only shows curved layer 58 curved in one direction, this is merely illustrative. If desired, curved layer 58 may be curved in two different directions or three different directions. In other words, curved layer 58 may exhibit compound curvature, if desired.

[0077] Curved layer 58 may be curved with a geometric strain of at least 0.5%, at least 0.8%, at least 1%, at least 2%, at least 3%, between 3.5% and 6.5%, between 2% and 6%, atleast 5%, or other suitable strain. In this way, curved layer 58 may be a highly-curved transparent layer.

[0078] IRR coating 24 may be formed on curved layer 58. In particular, IRR coating 24 may have a curvature that matches the curvature of curved layer 58. In this way, an infrared rejection coating may be formed on a curved window.

[0079] It may be desirable to deposit IRR coating 24 on curved layer 58 to ensure that IRR coating 24 is not subject to too much strain. A flowchart of illustrative steps that may be used to deposit an IRR coating on a curved layer is shown in FIG. 7.

[0080] As shown in flowchart 43 of FIG. 7, at step 32, an IRR coating may be deposited on a fdm. For example, IRR coating 24 may be deposited on fdm 29 to form stack 46 of FIG. 3. The IRR coating may be a diffuse IRR coating (e.g., the IRR coating may include one or more textured layers that diffusely reflect visible light), or the IRR coating may be a nondiffuse IRR coating (e.g., the IRR coating may reflect visible light in a specular manner). The IRR coating may include one or more metal layers, such as silver layers, one or more layers with metal particles, one or more ceramic layers, and / or one or more stacks of thin- fdm dielectric layers with alternating high and low indexes of refraction to block IR light. In some embodiments, the IRR coating may also include one or more layers that block UV light.

[0081] The IRR coating may be coated on any suitable fdm, such as a polymer fdm. In some illustrative embodiments, the IRR coating may be coated on a PET fdm.

[0082] At step 34, the fdm may be locally weakened. In particular, the fdm may be locally weakened after the infrared reflection coating has been applied to the fdm (e.g., step 34 may be performed after step 32 is completed). In other words, the fdm of stack 46 may be locally weakened. For example, the fdm may be structurally thinned, seamed, amorphized, or otherwise modified to weaken the fdm in desired areas. Any suitable tool, such as a laser, may be used to locally weaken the fdm. In particular, the fdm may be locally weakened in areas of a curved structure (e.g., a curved window) on which the IRR coating and fdm are to be deposited.

[0083] In an illustrative example, it may be desirable to deposit the IRR coating and fdm on a canopy of a vehicle (e.g., a glass or polycarbonate transparent structure that extends over the interior of the vehicle, therefore forming a roof of the vehicle). The canopy may have regions with different curvature. For example, the peak of the canopy (e.g., a portion over the central portion of the interior of the vehicle) and sides of the canopy may be relatively flat(e.g., may have a geometric strain of less than 0.8% or less than 0.5%, as examples). However, between the peak and the sides, the curvature of the canopy may have a high geometric strain (e.g., at least 1% or at least 5% geometric strain). To ensure that the IRR coating can conform to these regions with high strain, the fdm may be weakened in the areas that will be attached to the high-strain region of the canopy.

[0084] An illustrative example of an IRR coating on a weakened fdm is shown in FIG. 8. In particular, IRR coating 24 may be coupled to fdm 29 to form stack 46. For example, IRR coating 24 may be attached to fdm 29 using glue, organic material, or other suitable attachment. IRR coating 24 may be coupled to fdm 29 when both IRR coating 24 and fdm 29 are planar (e.g., before they are curved into a desired shape).

[0085] Film 29 may have locally weakened regions 30. For example, locally weakened regions 30 may be formed using a laser to reduce the thickness of fdm 29 within regions 30. However, this is merely illustrative. In general, fdm 29 may be weakened in regions 30 using any suitable method.

[0086] Although FIG. 8 shows regions 30 as having a reduced thickness from the rest of fdm 29, this is merely illustrative. In general, regions 30 may be weakened in any desired manner, such though amorphization of the material of fdm 29 within regions 30. Alternatively, regions 30 may be seams (e.g., through openings that extend entirely through fdm 29 from IRR coating 24 to an opposing surface of fdm 29).

[0087] If a diffuse IRR coating is used as IRR coating 24, the diffuse reflections of the IRR coating may hide the weakened regions of fdm 29. In particular, because visible light is reflected from the IRR coating uniformly, the weakened regions of underlying fdm 29 may be obscured.

[0088] Returning to FIG. 7, at step 36, the IRR coating and fdm may be formed into a suitable curvature and laminated onto the curved transparent layer (e.g., transparent layer 58 of FIG. 6). For example, the IRR coating and fdm may be thermo formed or otherwise formed into the desired curvature. Following the thermoforming (or other forming), the fdm and the IRR coating may be deposited onto the curved transparent layer. Because the fdm has locally weakened portions in the areas with the greatest curvature, the IRR coating may not be subject to undue stress, and the layers within the IRR coating may be protected.

[0089] An illustrative example of a curved transparent structure to which the IRR coating may be applied is shown in FIG. 9. In particular, transparent structure 16 may include low-stress regions 38, 40, and 42, and may include high-stress regions 44. For example, low- stress regions 38, 40, and 42 may have geometric strains of less than 0.5%, less than 0.8%, between 0.5% and 0.8%, or other low geometric strain. In contrast, high-stress regions 44 between low-stress regions 38, 40, and 42 may have geometric strains of at least 1%, at least 5%, at least 2%, or other suitable strain values.

[0090] To accommodate the high strain of regions 44, an IRR coating, such as IRR coating 24 of FIG. 8, may be applied to a fdm, such as fdm 29 of FIG. 8, and the fdm may be locally weakened in regions that overlap high-stress regions 44. When IRR coating 24 and fdm 29 are thermo formed to have a curvature that matches the curvature of transparent structure 16, fdm 29 may be curved more easily and less strain may be imparted on IRR coating 24. In this way, IRR coating 24 and fdm 29 may conform to the curvature of transparent structure 16 without subjecting IRR coating 24 to excess strain.

[0091] Transparent structure 16 may include a smooth transparent layer or a textured transparent layer to which IRR coating 24 is applied. For example, if IRR coating 24 is a non-diffuse coating, but it is still desirable to reflect light incident on the transparent structure diffusely, the transparent layer may be textured prior to depositing IRR coating 24 and fdm 29. The transparent layer may be textured using sand blasting (e.g., if the transparent layer is glass), molding (e.g., if the transparent layer is polymer), or any other suitable process. Regardless of whether the transparent layer is smooth or textured, fdm 29 between IRR coating 24 and the transparent layer may ensure that IRR coating 24 conforms to the shape of the transparent layer.

[0092] In some illustrative embodiments, system 10 (FIG. 1) may be a vehicle, and transparent structure 16 may form a single-piece canopy structure that extends over the regions traditionally occupied by the windshield, roof glass, and backlite, or that covers separate structure that form the windshield, roof glass, and backlite. For example, transparent structure 16 may form a windshield for the vehicle, and may extend to the front of the vehicle and overlap headlights of the vehicle. In general, however, transparent structure 16 may form any suitable portion of any desired system. An illustrative example of a system that includes a transparent structure is shown in FIGS. 10A and 10B.

[0093] As shown in FIG. 10A, transparent structure 64 may extend from a region at front F of body 62 to a region at rear R of body 62, and may be coupled to body 62 between front F and rear R. Transparent structure 64 may correspond to transparent structure 16 of FIGS. 1-4, 6, and 9 (e.g., an infrared rejection coating may be formed on some or all of transparent structure 64, and transparent structure 64 may be formed of the same materials as discussed above in connection with transparent structure 16).

[0094] Structure 64 may have curvature 66 between front F and rear R (e.g., along an axis that extends between front F and rear R of system 10). Windows 68 (e.g., side windows of the vehicle) may be formed below structure 64 on the sides of system 10, if desired.

[0095] Although curvature 66 is shown as having a constant radius in FIG. 10A, this is merely illustrative. In some embodiments, curvature 66 may have a non-constant radius, such as having a smaller radius at the front and the rear (e.g., the areas conventionally occupied by the windshield and backlite) and a larger radius at the top of system 10. In general, however, curvature 66 may be varied in any desired manner along the length of structure 64.

[0096] In addition to, or instead of, varying curvature 66 of structure 64 between the front and rear of the vehicle, a curvature of structure 64 between the sides of the vehicle may be varied. An illustrative rear view of a system having structure 64 is shown in FIG. 9B.

[0097] As shown in FIG. 9B, structure 64 may extend from a region at one side S of system 10 to a region at the other side S of system 10, and may be coupled to body 62 between the sides S. Windows 16 (e.g., side windows of the system) may be formed beneath structure 64 at sides S of system 10, if desired.

[0098] Structure 64 may have curvature 70 between sides S of system 10. Curvature 70 may extend along an axis between sides S of system 10 and may be perpendicular to the axis along which curvature 66 extends. For example, curvature 70 may have a non-constant radius (e.g., the radius may change along the curvature 70 as it extends between sides S). In an illustrative embodiment, curvature 70 may have a smaller radius at the sides of system 10 and a larger radius at the top of system 10. However, this is merely illustrative. In general, curvature 70 may be varied in any desired manner between sides S. Alternatively, curvature 70 may have a constant radius between sides S, if desired.

[0099] Structure 64 may be formed from a large piece of curved glass. For example, structure 64 may have an area of at least 5 m2, at least 6 m2, at least 7 m2, or other suitable area to extend between the front and rear of a system and between the sides of the system.

[0100] Moreover, structure 64 may require complex curvature. In an illustrative example, structure 64 may have a first curvature in the area traditionally occupied by a windshield, asecond curvature in the area traditionally occupied by a roof of the system, and a third curvature in the area traditionally occupied by a backlite. The first, second, and / or third curvatures may be the same, or may vary from one another. For example, the first, second, and / or third curvatures may have different radii of curvature from the other portions of structure 64. An IRR coating on structure 64, such as IRR coating 24 of FIGS. 2-6 and 8, may be applied on a film, such as film 29, with weakened regions corresponding to the areas of the first, second, and / or third curvatures, or corresponding to portions of structure 64 between the first, second, and / or third regions. However, these differences in curvature are merely illustrative. In general, structure 64 may have any desired curvature, and an IRR coating 24 on structure 64 may be applied using a film with weakened regions that correspond to areas of structure 64 with high curvature.

[0101] Although not shown in FIGS. 10A and 10B, a transparent structure, such as transparent structure 64 (or transparent structure 16) may be curved to wrap around front F of system 10 laterally (e.g., perpendicular to the direction of travel of system 10). In other words, the transparent structure may extend to cover the A pillar on the driver and / or passenger side of system 10.

[0102] Alternatively or additionally, a transparent structure, such as transparent structure 64 (or transparent structure 16) may form a windshield that extends along the system in the direction of travel from a plane defining the front row of seats inside the vehicle to a plane forward of the front lights (e.g., headlights) of the system. The windshield may cover the headlights, if desired. In some embodiments, the headlights may operate through the windshield.

[0103] However, these examples of a transparent structure in a vehicle are merely illustrative. In general, transparent structure 16 may be used to form any suitable transparent structure in a system, such as a windshield, backlite, roof glass, canopy, side windows, and / or glass portions of a body. In some illustrative embodiments, an IRR coating, such as IRR coating 24 of FIGS. 2-6 and 8, may be incorporated into all of the transparent structures on a vehicle or other system (e.g., a windshield, canopy, backlite, side windows, and / or transparent body portions) to ensure that all of the transparent portions have a consistent appearance. The IRR coatings may be applied on a film, such as film 29, with weakened regions that correspond to areas of high curvature of the respective transparent structure to which the IRR coating is applied. However, this is merely illustrative. In general, an IRRcoating may be applied to any suitable transparent structure in a system, such as an electronic device, vehicle, building, or other system.

[0104] In accordance with an embodiment, a transparent structure configured to separate an interior from an exterior is provided that includes a first outer layer, the first outer layer has first regions with first geometric strains and second regions with second geometric strains that are greater than the first geometric strains, a second outer layer, and an infrared rejection coating coupled to the first outer layer, the infrared rejection coating is formed on a film that has weakened regions that overlap the second regions of the first outer layer.

[0105] In accordance with another embodiment, the infrared rejection coating is interposed between the first outer layer and the second outer layer.

[0106] In accordance with another embodiment, the infrared rejection coating is configured to block infrared light, to scatter visible light, and to block ultraviolet light.

[0107] In accordance with another embodiment, the first outer layer has a first surface facing the exterior and an opposing second surface facing the second outer layer, and the infrared rejection coating and the film are coupled to the first surface.

[0108] In accordance with another embodiment, the infrared rejection coating is configured to block infrared light and to scatter visible light, the transparent structure includes an ultraviolet light blocking layer between the first and second outer layers.

[0109] In accordance with another embodiment, the infrared rejection coating is configured to block infrared light and to diffusely reflect visible light.

[0110] In accordance with another embodiment, the second geometric strains of the second regions are over 0.8%.

[0111] In accordance with another embodiment, the first geometric strains of the first regions are less than 0.8%.

[0112] In accordance with another embodiment, the weakened regions of the film include areas with reduced thicknesses relative to the rest of the film.

[0113] In accordance with another embodiment, the weakened regions of the film include seams that extend through the film.

[0114] In accordance with another embodiment, the weakened regions of the film include amorphized portions of the film.

[0115] In accordance with another embodiment, the infrared rejection coating includes a silver layer that is configured to block infrared light.

[0116] In accordance with another embodiment, the infrared rejection coating includes a stack of thin-film dielectric layers that are configured to block infrared light.

[0117] In accordance with an embodiment, a system is provided that includes a body having a front, a rear, and sides that extend from the front to the rear, and a transparent structure coupled to the body, the transparent structure includes a transparent layer having curved regions, and an infrared rejection coating on a film that is coupled to the transparent layer, the film includes weakened regions that allow the film and the infrared rejection coating to conform to the curved regions of the transparent layer.

[0118] In accordance with another embodiment, the transparent structure includes first regions with first geometric strains and second regions with second geometric strains that are greater than the first geometric strains, and the weakened regions of the film overlap the second regions of the transparent structure.

[0119] In accordance with another embodiment, the second geometric strains of the second regions are over 0.8%, and the first geometric strains of the first regions are less than 0.8%.

[0120] In accordance with an embodiment, a transparent structure is provided that includes a curved transparent layer, a tinted layer coupled to the curved transparent layer, a film coupled to the curved transparent layer, the film includes a weakened region that improves conformity of the film to the curved transparent layer, and an infrared rejection coating on the film, the infrared rejection coating is interposed between the curved transparent layer and the tinted layer.

[0121] In accordance with another embodiment, the infrared rejection coating includes a diffuse infrared rejection coating including at least one textured layer.

[0122] In accordance with another embodiment, the curved transparent layer includes at least one portion having a geometric strain over 0.8%, and the weakened region of the film overlaps the at least one portion of the curved transparent layer.

[0123] In accordance with another embodiment, the infrared rejection coating is configured to block infrared light and ultraviolet light and to diffusely scatter visible light.

[0124] In accordance with another embodiment, the infrared rejection coating is configured to block infrared light and to diffusely scatter visible light, the transparent structure includes an ultraviolet light blocking layer coupled to the curved transparent layer.

[0125] The foregoing is merely illustrative and various modifications can be made to the described embodiments. The foregoing embodiments may be implemented individually or inany combination.

Claims

ClaimsWhat is Claimed is:

1. A transparent structure configured to separate an interior from an exterior, comprising: a first outer layer, wherein the first outer layer has first regions with first geometric strains and second regions with second geometric strains that are greater than the first geometric strains; a second outer layer; and an infrared rejection coating coupled to the first outer layer, wherein the infrared rejection coating is formed on a film that has weakened regions that overlap the second regions of the first outer layer.

2. The transparent structure of claim 1, wherein the infrared rejection coating is interposed between the first outer layer and the second outer layer.

3. The transparent structure of claim 2, wherein the infrared rejection coating is configured to block infrared light, to scatter visible light, and to block ultraviolet light.

4. The transparent structure of claim 1, wherein the first outer layer has a first surface facing the exterior and an opposing second surface facing the second outer layer, and wherein the infrared rejection coating and the film are coupled to the first surface.

5. The transparent structure of claim 4, wherein the infrared rejection coating is configured to block infrared light and to scatter visible light, the transparent structure further comprising: an ultraviolet light blocking layer between the first and second outer layers.

6. The transparent structure of claim 1, wherein the infrared rejection coating is configured to block infrared light and to diffusely reflect visible light.

7. The transparent structure of claim 1, wherein the second geometric strains of the second regions are over 0.8%.

8. The transparent structure of claim 7, wherein the first geometric strains of the first regions are less than 0.8%.

9. The transparent structure of claim 8, wherein the weakened regions of the film comprise areas with reduced thicknesses relative to the rest of the film.

10. The transparent structure of claim 8, wherein the weakened regions of the film comprise seams that extend through the film.

11. The transparent structure of claim 8, wherein the weakened regions of the film comprise amorphized portions of the film.

12. The transparent structure of claim 1, wherein the infrared rejection coating comprises a silver layer that is configured to block infrared light.

13. The transparent structure of claim 1, wherein the infrared rejection coating comprises a stack of thin-film dielectric layers that are configured to block infrared light.

14. A system, comprising: a body having a front, a rear, and sides that extend from the front to the rear; and a transparent structure coupled to the body, wherein the transparent structure comprises: a transparent layer having curved regions, and an infrared rejection coating on a film that is coupled to the transparent layer, wherein the film comprises weakened regions that allow the film and the infrared rejection coating to conform to the curved regions of the transparent layer.

15. The system of claim 14, wherein the transparent structure comprises first regions with first geometric strains and second regions with second geometric strains that are greater than the first geometric strains, and wherein the weakened regions of the film overlap the second regions of the transparent structure.

16. The system of claim 15, wherein the second geometric strains of the second regions are over 0.8%, and wherein the first geometric strains of the first regions are less than 0.8%.

17. A transparent structure, compri sing : a curved transparent layer; a tinted layer coupled to the curved transparent layer; a film coupled to the curved transparent layer, wherein the film comprises a weakened region that improves conformity of the film to the curved transparent layer; and an infrared rejection coating on the film, wherein the infrared rejection coating is interposed between the curved transparent layer and the tinted layer.

18. The transparent structure of claim 17, wherein the infrared rejection coating comprises a diffuse infrared rejection coating comprising at least one textured layer.

19. The transparent structure of claim 18, wherein the curved transparent layer comprises at least one portion having a geometric strain over 0.8%, and wherein the weakened region of the film overlaps the at least one portion of the curved transparent layer.

20. The transparent structure of claim 19, wherein the infrared rejection coating is configured to block infrared light and ultraviolet light and to diffusely scatter visible light.

21. The transparent structure of claim 19, wherein the infrared rejection coating is configured to block infrared light and to diffusely scatter visible light, the transparent structure further comprising:an ultraviolet light blocking layer coupled to the curved transparent layer.

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