Vehicle glazing which can be illuminated

Abstract

The invention relates to a vehicle glazing (1) comprising a laminated glass pane (3) which has a first outer glass pane (7) and a second inner glass pane (8), wherein the two glass panes (7, 8) are interconnected by means of at least one laminating layer (15), and a light outcoupling means (25) is provided in the region of the laminating layer (15), and wherein light coupled into the second inner glass pane (8) at the edge thereof is coupled out by means of the light outcoupling means (25) via a main surface (13) of the second inner glass pane (8), which main surface is opposite the laminating layer (15). According to the invention, the laminating layer (15) has an index of refraction which is coordinated with the index of refraction of the inner glass pane (8) in such a way that the laminating layer (15) and the inner glass pane (8) form a common light guide (24).

Description

[0001] Illuminatable vehicle glazing

[0002] The invention relates to a vehicle glazing with a laminated glass pane which has a first outer glass pane and a second inner glass pane, wherein the two glass panes are connected to one another by means of at least one lamination layer and a light decoupling means is provided in the region of the lamination layer, wherein light which is coupled into the edge side of the second inner glass pane is coupled out by means of the light decoupling means via a main surface of the second inner glass pane opposite the lamination layer.

[0003] EP 3 702 217 A1 discloses a generic vehicle glazing in the form of a glass cover in a vehicle roof. A lamination layer made of a material such as PVB or EVA is arranged between an inner glass pane and an outer glass pane. The lamination layer has a printed light extraction structure that rests against the inner glass pane and extracts light coupled laterally into the inner glass pane toward the vehicle interior.

[0004] The invention is based on the object of creating a vehicle glazing system as mentioned above that is improved in terms of its luminous properties. This object is achieved according to the invention in the vehicle glazing system as mentioned above in that the lamination layer has a refractive index adapted to the refractive index of the inner glass pane in such a way that the lamination layer and the inner glass pane form a common light guide.

[0005] Advantageous embodiments of the invention are specified in the dependent claims.

[0006] According to the invention, the inner glass pane and the lamination layer thus form a common light guide. The common light guide is characterized in that the refractive index of the inner glass pane and the refractive index of the lamination layer are the same or differ from each other only to such a small extent that the optical properties of the light guide are uniform, particularly with regard to light conduction, light reflection, and light refraction. The light guide formed in two layers with the inner glass pane and the lamination layer thus behaves optically largely or entirely like a single-layer light guide made of optically uniform material. At an interface between the inner glass pane and the lamination layer, little or no reflection occurs.Thus, both light guided within the glass pane and light guided within the lamination layer strikes the light extraction medium, which reflects it and extracts it from the glass pane and thus also from the light guide. The light is extracted with a higher intensity overall than if the light were guided solely within the glass pane.

[0007] In particular, the lamination layer extends largely or entirely over the entire surface of the inner glass pane. The common light guide is therefore light-conducting across the entire area or extent of the inner glass pane. Furthermore, the common light guide is suitable for coupling out light across its entire area using the light extraction means. The arrangement and distribution of the light extraction means across the surface of the lamination layer or the inner glass pane determines the achievable light extraction.

[0008] For example, the refractive index of the inner glass pane and the refractive index of the lamination layer differ from each other within a range of less than 0.1 and in particular less than 0.05.

[0009] According to a preferred embodiment, it is provided that at least one light coupling, a light coupling device or a light source is arranged on the edge of the second inner glass pane in such a way that light from the light coupling, the light coupling device or the light source is coupled into the edge of the second inner glass pane or into the common light guide.

[0010] A light source for introducing light is preferably arranged at each of two lateral and opposite edges or edge regions of the laminated glass pane, wherein the lateral edge refers to a left and a right side edge of the substantially rectangular laminated glass pane arranged on a vehicle roof. The light from the light source can be coupled in via the side edge or via a side surface on the side edge of the inner glass pane or via an edge strip of the main surface of the inner glass pane, e.g., by means of optical prisms arranged on the edge strip (as disclosed in WO 2023 / 031460 A1) or other optical light-guiding devices or light-coupling devices. The light can additionally also be coupled in via the side edge of the lamination layer.

[0011] Furthermore, a generally vertical light coupling from below via the outer main surface can be provided. In this case, an optical device is provided, for example, a diffuser layer or a diffuser element, which is arranged opposite the light coupling or a light source, for example on an inner main surface of the second inner glass pane. The optical device scatters or deflects coupled-in light such that the coupled-in light is redirected predominantly at an angle corresponding to the angle of total internal reflection of the inner glass pane.

[0012] The optical device or diffuser element is formed, for example, by a frosted glass or an opal glass, which is arranged in the form of a strip on the inner glass pane or is glued thereto. The optical device can also be a light diffuser film or a holographic diffuser. Furthermore, the optical device can be formed by a rough surface of the glass pane or by a grid structure. The grid structure can be produced, for example, by laser irradiation on the surface or inside the glass pane. The optical device can also be arranged in a surface recess of the glass pane and expediently not protrude, or only partially protrude, above the main inner surface of the glass pane.

[0013] The laminated glass pane can be any glazing element of a vehicle, such as a rear side window or an interior element such as a partition between the driver's area and the rear of a vehicle. For a laminated glass pane installed in a vehicle roof, the light coupling devices or light sources are preferably located at two opposite edge regions of the glass pane. Alternatively, light coupling can also occur at only one edge region or at multiple edge regions.

[0014] The light source can be at least one active component for emitting light, e.g., an LED or an LED device with an optical unit. The light source can also be a passive light source or a passive component through which light from an active light source located remote from the passive light source is coupled into the glass pane and / or the lamination layer.

[0015] According to a preferred embodiment, the laminating layer is formed from a transparent material with a refractive index m that corresponds to the refractive index HG of the inner glass pane or differs from the refractive index HG of the inner glass pane within a value range of maximum + / - 0.028. The refractive index HG of the inner glass pane, which is made in particular from silicate glass, is in the range from 1.51 to 1.53 and is in particular 1.52. A laminating layer made of PVB, as is known from the vehicle glazing of EP 3 702 217 A1, has a refractive index of 1.48 and differs significantly from the refractive index of 1.52 of the inner glass pane.Due to the resulting light reflection at the interface between the inner glass pane and the PVB lamination layer, these two layers, namely the inner glass pane and the PVB lamination layer, do not form a common light guide with the optical properties of the light guide according to the invention.

[0016] The inner and outer glass panes can be made of a glass such as silicate glass or a plastic glass such as polycarbonate. The refractive index of polycarbonate is 1.59, and can range from 1.60 to 1.67 for certain variants.

[0017] Particularly in the case of an inner glass pane based on a glass material, it is particularly preferred that the lamination layer be formed from a transparent, lightfast material, in particular from a COP (cycloolefin polymer) or COC (cycloolefin copolymer)-based material. The refractive index is in the range of 1.51 to 1.53 and is preferably 1.52. Such a lamination layer provides an optically high-quality light guide. Color shifts essentially do not occur.

[0018] According to a preferred embodiment, the lamination layer is formed with at least one light-outcoupling structure as a light-outcoupling means, and the lamination layer has the light-outcoupling structure on its surface facing the inner glass pane and / or the light-outcoupling structure on its surface facing away from the inner glass pane and / or the light-outcoupling structure within the lamination layer. Since the lamination layer itself thus has the at least one light-outcoupling structure, an additional layer as a carrier of a light-outcoupling structure is not required. The position of the at least one light-outcoupling structure can thus be selected and determined, for example, taking into account a light-outcoupling structure that can be manufactured with little effort, in such a way that a high light-outcoupling of the light coupled into the light guide from a light source is achieved.

[0019] The respective light extraction structure is expediently opaque, semi-opaque, or transparent. Because the light extraction structure can be manufactured with different optical properties, the optical appearance of the laminated glass pane, in particular when viewed from the vehicle interior, can be adjusted. A light extraction structure made of opaque ink appears white when viewed and is visible in daylight. Areas printed with this type of ink are not transparent when transmitted from the inside to the outside. A semi-transparent ink is not visible or barely visible in daylight, but nevertheless glows when light coupled into the glass pane or the light guide strikes the light extraction structure.

[0020] Preferably, the respective light-outcoupling structure contains individual light-outcoupling structural elements. The structural elements are formed, for example, with a transparent ink in droplet form and printed, for example, by digital printing, on a surface of the lamination layer. The light-outcoupling structure can have structural elements with an optical lens structure, in line form, or in other geometric shapes, or in irregular shapes. The light-outcoupling structure can also be a film printed with structural elements that is adhered to the lamination layer.

[0021] According to one embodiment, the light output structure has at least one region in which the structural elements are so small that they can no longer be resolved by the human eye and therefore do not appear visible. For example, a structural element has a surface area, i.e. an average diameter measured parallel to the surface extent of the glass pane, of a maximum of 100 pm and in particular of a maximum of 80 pm. For example, a minimum distance between adjacent structural elements is 100 pm. The laminating layer is preferably formed with a thickness in the range from 10 pm to 2000 pm, preferably 10 pm to 1200 pm and in particular 10 pm to 850 pm.The thickness of the lamination layer can be selected in particular such that the light extraction structure or the structural elements are illuminated with a light intensity sufficient for the desired ambient lighting, depending on their number, positioning, and distribution in the lamination layer and in the light guide. This thickness of the lamination layer can also be provided as the total thickness of at least two lamination layers forming a lamination layer composite.

[0022] Furthermore, it can be provided that the lamination layer comprises light-scattering particles arranged in the lamination layer and, in particular, embedded in the lamination layer, which represent a further light extraction means. Since these particles are now not only illuminated by the light-conducting glass pane, but are arranged within the light guide and are irradiated by the light rays within the light guide, a greater proportion of light extraction is possible with the same particle extraction structure, thereby brightening the ambient lighting. Alternatively, the number of non-transparent particles within the printed light extraction structure can be reduced, which generally reduces the visibility of the printed light extraction structure.Since these light-scattering particles are provided in addition to the light extraction structure already explained, they are also sufficient for light extraction in comparatively smaller quantities.

[0023] According to a preferred embodiment, an optically insulating transparent insulating layer is arranged on the side of the lamination layer facing the first glass pane. The insulating layer has a refractive index mso that is smaller than the refractive index m of the lamination layer. The refractive index mso of the insulating layer is in particular less than or equal to 1.45. The optical insulating layer is preferably made of a fluoropolymer-based plastic (FEP) or has such a coating on a film substrate. In an alternative design, the optical insulating layer is in particular formed with a transparent carrier film, such as PET, and expediently contains SiO2, preferably as a coating of the carrier film, which, due to its comparatively low refractive index of 1.45 compared to the refractive index of 1.52 of COP, imparts good optically insulating properties to the optical insulating layer.

[0024] According to a further preferred embodiment, the lamination layer, as a laminated layer composite, comprises at least a first lamination film and a second lamination film, each having at least one light-outcoupling structure. The light-outcoupling structures are arranged in the lamination layer formed as a laminated layer composite in spaced-apart and, in particular, parallel outcoupling structure planes. Because the light-outcoupling structures are formed in or on the lamination layers, light-outcoupling structures can be easily formed in a three-dimensional arrangement.

[0025] In particular, the at least one lamination layer or the lamination layer composite extends substantially over the entire surface of the glass panes to be joined or the laminated glass pane.

[0026] The outcoupling structure planes are imaginary planes in which the light outcoupling structures of a lamination layer are arranged along their planar extent. The outcoupling structure planes, which are also parallel to the inner glass pane, are thus planes defined by the respective light outcoupling structures or by their structural elements. The laminated glass pane can be flat, curved, or arched, with the curvature or arching expediently adapted to the design of the vehicle structure surrounding the laminated glass pane, such as the vehicle roof. Accordingly, the outcoupling structure planes are either flat planes or curved or arched planes.It is particularly preferred that the structural elements of the first laminating film and the structural elements of the second laminating film or further laminating films are distributed in the respective coupling-out structural plane such that, in the viewing direction perpendicular to the coupling-out structural plane or to the inner glass pane or to the laminated glass pane, the structural elements in the at least two coupling-out structural planes partially overlap or are arranged substantially without overlap. Due to this mutual offset of the coupling-out structural planes, the structural elements produce a three-dimensional effect or 3D effect during light coupling, which is particularly noticeable at a viewing angle with a viewing direction inclined to the laminated glass pane and when the viewing angle changes. The 3D effect is, for example,can be produced and adjusted by a selectable distance between the coupling-out structure planes in the thickness direction of the laminated glass pane and preferably also by a number of additional laminating films in addition to the two laminating films.

[0027] The vehicle glazing advantageously contains an additional layer or lamination layer arranged between the lamination layer and the first outer glass pane. This lamination layer consists, for example, of a material such as PVB, EVA, or TPU. The additional lamination layer can increase the rigidity of the laminated glass pane, for example, when the mechanical demands placed on the laminated glass pane are increased.

[0028] Furthermore, it can be provided that the vehicle glazing has a functional film, in particular a switchable film for adjusting the transparency of the vehicle glazing. The switchable film is arranged, for example, between the lamination layer and the outer glass pane or between the optical insulation layer and the outer glass pane. If the optical insulation layer is arranged between the lamination layer and the switchable film, the insulation layer can prevent light from being coupled out in the switchable film (e.g., EC (electrochrome), LC (liquid crystal), PDLC (polymer dispersed liquid crystal, SPD (suspended particle device), etc.). Furthermore, a low-emission layer or low-E coating can be applied, for example, to the side or main surface of the inner glass pane facing the vehicle interior. Furthermore, an IR coating can be provided, for example, on the inside or main inner surface of the outer glass pane.

[0029] The invention will be explained in more detail below using exemplary embodiments of a vehicle glazing with reference to the drawing. It shows:

[0030] Fig. 1 shows an isometric view of a vehicle roof with vehicle glazing according to the invention;

[0031] Fig. 2 shows a cross-sectional view in a schematic representation of a lateral partial region of a laminated glass pane of the vehicle glazing with a laminating layer having a light extraction structure in a first embodiment;

[0032] Fig. 3 in a cross-sectional view according to Fig. 2 in a schematic representation of a lateral partial region of the laminated glass pane in a further embodiment;

[0033] Fig. 4 shows a cross-sectional view in a schematic representation of the layers of another embodiment of the laminated glass pane in an exploded view;

[0034] Fig. 5 is a cross-sectional view showing a schematic representation of the laminated glass pane of the embodiment of Fig. 4; and

[0035] Fig. 6 shows a schematic cross-sectional view of another embodiment of the laminated glass pane.

[0036] A vehicle glazing 1 of a vehicle 2 such as a passenger car comprises a laminated glass pane 3 which is arranged, for example, fixedly on the vehicle roof 4 or in the form of a cover 6 arranged and movably mounted in a roof opening 5 of a roof opening system such as a sliding roof or a spoiler roof.

[0037] The laminated glass pane 3 comprises, in its layered structure (see Fig. 2), a first outer glass pane 7 and a second inner glass pane 8. The first outer glass pane 7 has a first outer main surface 10 directed towards the outer side 9 of the laminated glass pane 3 or towards the vehicle surroundings, and a second inner main surface 11 facing the second glass pane 8. The second inner glass pane 8 has a first outer main surface 13 directed towards the inner side 12 of the laminated glass pane 3 or towards a vehicle interior, and an inner main surface 14 facing the first glass pane 7. The two glass panes 7 and 8 are connected to one another by means of a laminating layer 15. The laminating layer 15 is formed from a transparent, lightfast plastic material, in particular from a COP (cycloolefin polymer) or COC (cycloolefin copolymer)-based material. This plastic material has a refractive index m of, for example, 1.52.The lamination layer 15 has a thickness in the range of, for example, 0.01 mm to 0.80 mm. The surface area of ​​the lamination layer 15 essentially corresponds to the surface area of ​​the inner glass pane 8.

[0038] Furthermore, a lighting device is provided for generating ambient lighting in the vehicle interior by means of the laminated glass pane 3. The lighting device contains, for example, an elongated or strip-shaped light source 16 with LEDs preferably arranged side by side in association with the two opposite lateral edges 17 of the laminated glass pane 3. The light source 16 is expediently arranged on the laminated glass pane 3 and mounted, for example, by means of a holder that is preferably held on the laminated glass pane 3 or on a vehicle-side frame or the like (not shown) adjacent to the laminated glass pane.

[0039] The light source 16 is arranged, for example, laterally in front of a side surface 18 of the inner glass pane 8 in such a way that it radiates light via this side surface 18 into the inner glass pane 8. The light radiated into the inner glass pane 8 spreads in the inner glass pane 8 and, depending on the radiation angle of the light source 16, is directed both against an outer boundary surface 19, which is formed on the main surface 13 of the inner glass pane 8 at the transition to the ambient air of the vehicle interior, and against an inner boundary surface 20, which is formed on the main inner surface 14 of the inner glass pane 8 at the transition to the lamination layer 15.

[0040] A light beam 21 shown as an example strikes the outer boundary surface 19 and is reflected due to the different refractive indices of the glass pane 8 (HG = 1.52) and the surrounding air (mu = 1.00) and depending on its angle of incidence. The reflected light beam 21 strikes the first inner boundary surface 20 and radiates largely unreflected as a refracted light beam into the laminating layer 15 because the refractive index of the glass pane 8 essentially matches the refractive index of the laminating layer 15 or differs from the refractive index of the laminating layer 15 only within a value range of + / - 0.028. As it passes through the laminating layer 15, the light beam 21 strikes a second inner boundary surface 22 which is formed on the main inner surface 11 of the outer glass pane 7 at the transition to the laminating layer 15.The light beam 21 is at least partially or completely reflected at the second inner interface 22 depending on the size of the difference in the refractive indices of the lamination layer 15 and the outer glass pane 7. This reflected light beam 21 radiates back into the inner glass pane 8 via the first inner interface 20 and can in turn be reflected at its outer interface 19. The light beam 21 can thus be reflected multiple times at the outer interface 19 and at the second inner interface 22. Light which, according to an exemplary light beam 23 coming from the light source 16, directly strikes the first inner interface 20 is likewise reflected at the second inner interface 22 and propagates in the inner glass pane 8 and the lamination layer 15 in a manner comparable to the light beam 21.The inner glass pane 8 and the lamination layer 15 thus form a common light guide 24, which, due to identical or nearly identical refractive indices, is largely or completely uniform in terms of light propagation. The two-layer light guide 24 in this embodiment has the outer boundary surface 19 and the second inner boundary surface 22 as optically effective interfaces.

[0041] The lamination layer 15 has at least one light extraction means 25, with which the light radiated into the inner glass pane 8 and into the lamination layer 15 is extracted towards the vehicle interior, thereby creating ambient lighting. According to one embodiment, the light extraction means 25 is formed by a light extraction structure 26, which has, for example, individual structural elements 27 (shown schematically), which are preferably formed from a transparent ink in droplet form and are printed onto a surface of the lamination layer 15, for example by means of digital printing. During the production of the laminated glass pane 3, the lamination layer 15 is connected to the inner glass pane 8 via its printed surface 28. The structural elements 27 rest with their respective contact surfaces or base surfaces 29 against the main inner surface 14 of the inner glass pane 8. The structural elements 27 have a refractive index of, for example, 1.48.The individual structural elements 27 are formed, for example, at a distance from one another and are arranged in an unstructured or structured manner, for example in a uniform grid, in the area of ​​a printed surface.

[0042] A light beam 30 propagating within the inner glass pane 8 and reflected, for example, at the interface 19, strikes the base surface 29 of the structural element 27 at the first inner interface 20 and, refracted via this base surface 29, enters the structural element 27. Due to a larger refractive difference between the two refractive indices, the light beam 30 is reflected toward the inner glass pane 8 at a surface 31 of the structural element 27 that is in contact with the lamination layer 15. After passing through the inner glass pane 8, it is emitted via its main surface 13 toward the vehicle interior as ambient lighting. A light beam containing the light beam 30 is coupled out as diffusely scattered light by means of the structural elements 27.Light radiated into the lamination layer 15 according to light beam 21 and reflected at the inner interface 22 to the outer glass pane 7 strikes one of the structural elements 27 from the lamination layer 15 and is refracted at the surface 31 of the structural element 27 toward the interior of the structural element 27. After passing through the inner glass pane 8, it is emitted via its main surface 13 toward the vehicle interior as ambient lighting. A light beam containing the light beam 21 is coupled out as diffusely scattered light by means of the structural elements 27. Light according to the light beam 23 is coupled out via the structural element 27 in a comparable manner.

[0043] Since the inner glass pane 8 and the lamination layer 15 form a common light guide 24, the structural elements 27 arranged on the surface 28 of the lamination layer 15 are now arranged within this light guide 24. The structural elements 27 of the light extraction structure 26 thus extract both light from the inner glass pane 8 and light from the lamination layer 15 as ambient lighting. This results in improved light extraction with brighter ambient lighting compared to light extraction due to light that reaches the structural elements 27 solely due to light conduction in the inner glass pane 8.

[0044] Fig. 3 shows a lateral partial area of ​​a laminated glass pane 3 of the vehicle glazing 1 according to a further embodiment, which is similar to the embodiment of Fig. 2. For the sake of simplicity and better readability, only the differences from the embodiment of Fig. 2 will be discussed. To generate ambient lighting, a light source 16 is provided, which is arranged on the edge of the inner glass pane 8 such that the light emitted by it is directed towards the outer main surface 13 of the inner glass pane 8, wherein the main radiation direction of the light source 16 is preferably directed perpendicular to the outer main surface 13 of the inner glass pane 8. The light source 16 is preferably a top LED (an LED emitting upwards from an LED base or a carrier).The light source 16 is preferably arranged on the outer main surface 13, for example by means of an adhesive bond or by means of a carrier 42 which carries the light source 16 and is held, for example, on a frame (not shown) of the laminated glass pane 3. The carrier 42 is, for example, a PCB (printed circuit board), via which the power supply to the light source 16 can also be provided. The light source 16 can also be arranged at a distance from the outer main surface 13 (not shown). Furthermore, the light source 16 can have optical components such as a lens and / or a collimator. The light emitted by the light source 16 radiates into the inner glass pane 8 and strikes its inner main surface 14. A diffuser element 43 is arranged on the inner main surface 14 of the inner glass pane 8. The diffuser element 43 is arranged in the region of the light source 16 such that the light emitted by the light source 16 strikes the diffuser element 43.In the present exemplary embodiment, the diffuser element 43 is arranged on the inner main inner surface 14, preferably opposite the light source 16 with respect to the inner glass pane 8, and covers the light source 16 when viewed perpendicularly from the outer side 17 of the laminated glass pane 3. The diffuser element 43 has a size or areal extent such that it extends laterally beyond the light source 16. In the present exemplary embodiment, the diffuser element 43 extends beyond the light source 16 in such a way that it still covers light emitted by the light source 16, which is emitted at an emission angle of, in particular, 30° from the main emission axis (corresponding to the light beam 21 in Fig. 3).The diffuser element 43 scatters light incident from the light source 16 into the inner glass pane 8 at angles such that it is reflected back into the inner glass pane 8 at the outer main surface 13 by total internal reflection due to different refractive indices of the glass pane 8 (HG = 1.52) and the surrounding air (mu = 1.00) and depending on the angle of incidence of the light reflected by the diffuser element 43. Since the refractive index of the glass pane 8 essentially matches the refractive index of the lamination layer 15 or differs from the refractive index of the lamination layer 15 only within a value range of, in particular, + / - 0.028, no reflection takes place at the first inner interface 20 between the inner glass pane 8 and the lamination layer 15. The light guided in the inner glass pane 8 penetrates the lamination layer 15 and strikes the second inner interface 22.The light incident on the second inner interface 22 is at least partially or completely reflected at the second inner interface 22, depending on the magnitude of the difference in the refractive indices of the lamination layer 15 and the outer glass pane 7. This light radiates back via the first inner interface 20 into the composite of the lamination layer 15 and the inner glass pane 8, which forms the light guide 24.

[0045] By way of example, in the embodiment of Fig. 3, similar to Fig. 2, two light beams 21 and 23 are shown. In contrast to Fig. 2, light beams 21, 23 emitted by the light source 16 strike the diffuser element 43 on the inner main inner surface 14 and are scattered there. The light beams 21, 23 scattered by the diffuser element 43 are scattered, for example, in such a way that light beam 21 is scattered into light beams 21a and 21b and light beam 23 is scattered into light beams 23a, 23b and 23c. The light beams 21a, 21b and 23a-23c thus form reflected light beams. The light beam 21a is reflected at an angle whose size corresponds at most to the size of the angle for total internal reflection in the inner glass pane 8. The light beam 21 a is thus reflected back at the outer main surface 13, so that the light beam 21 a cannot penetrate the outer main surface 13 of the inner glass pane 8.The light beam 21a enters the light extraction means 25 or structural element 27 via the base surface 29, is scattered therein, reflected toward the outer main surface 13, and coupled out of the inner glass pane 8 due to the scattering angle. The light beam 21b is reflected by the outer main surface 13 such that it penetrates from the inner glass pane 8 into the lamination layer 15. Due to the difference in the refractive indices of the lamination layer 15 and the outer glass pane 7, the light beam 21b is reflected at the second inner interface 22. The light beam 21b then strikes the surface 31 of the structural element 27 of the light extraction means 25. The light beam 21b penetrates the light extraction means 25, is scattered there toward the outer main surface 13, and coupled out of the inner glass pane 8.Analogous to the light beams 21a and 21b, the light beam 23 is scattered by the diffuser element 43 and reflected, for example, as light beams 23a and 23b and coupled out of the inner glass pane 8 by the light coupling means 25. The light beam 23c scattered by the diffuser element 43 is reflected flatly such that the light beam 23c reaches a base surface of a second light coupling means 25, where it is scattered analogously to the light beam 23a and coupled out of the inner glass pane 8.

[0046] In the present embodiment of Fig. 3, an optional diffuser element 44 is provided, which also forms a reflector element and is arranged on the outer main surface 13 adjacent to the light source 16 and preferably surrounding the light source 16. The diffuser element 44 is arranged, in particular, congruent with the diffuser element 43 and preferably extends beyond the area of ​​the diffuser element 43.

[0047] The diffuser element 43 is formed, for example, from frosted glass or opal glass, which is glued in the form of a strip onto the inner glass pane 8. The diffuser element 43 can also be a light diffuser film or a holographic diffuser. Furthermore, the diffuser element 43 can be formed by a rough surface of the glass pane 8 or by a grid structure, which can be produced by laser irradiation on the surface or inside the glass pane 8. The diffuser element 43 can also be arranged in a recess in the glass pane 8 and expediently not protrude, or only partially protrude, above the main inner surface 14 of the glass pane 8. The diffuser element 44 can be formed in a corresponding manner.

[0048] According to an alternative design, the diffuser element 43 is not arranged on the main inner surface 14 of the inner glass pane 8, but rather as a diffuser element 43.1 on the inner main inner surface 11 of the outer glass pane 7. The diffuser element 43.1 is also arranged opposite the light source 16 and scatters light of the light beam 21.1 shown as an example, which now also radiates through the lamination layer 15, via the lamination layer 15 into the inner glass pane 8 and to the light output structure 26 or to the structural elements 27 in the light guide 24. Fig. 4 shows the laminated glass pane 3 in a modified embodiment with its layer structure in an exploded view before the layers are joined and laminated. Between the outer glass pane 7 and the inner glass pane 8, a first laminating film 15.1 adjacent to the inner glass pane 8 and a second laminating film 15.2 adjacent to the outer glass pane 7 are arranged.The first laminating film 15.1 contains, on its film surface 32 facing the inner glass pane 8, a light extraction structure 26.1 having the structural elements 27.1. The second laminating film 15.2 also contains, on its film surface 33 facing the inner glass pane 8, a light extraction structure 26.2 having the structural elements 27.2.

[0049] During the lamination of the outer glass pane 7 and the inner glass pane 8, the first laminating film 15.1 and the second laminating film 15.2 are pressed together such that the laminating layer 15 is formed as a uniform laminated layer composite (Fig. 5). The two light extraction structures 26.1 and 26.2 are arranged in the laminating layer 15 in two spaced-apart and parallel extraction structure planes 34 and 35, which are also parallel to the inner glass pane 8 and its inner main inner surface 14. The extraction structure planes 34 and 35 are thus planes defined by the respective light extraction structures or structural elements. The laminated glass pane 3 can be flat as well as curved or arched, with the curvature or arching expediently being adapted to a design of the vehicle structure surrounding the laminated glass pane 3, such as the vehicle roof 4.Accordingly, the coupling-out structure planes 34 and 35 are both flat planes and curved or arched planes.

[0050] The structural elements 27.1 of the light-coupling structure 26.1 are arranged on the main inner surface 14 of the inner glass pane 8. The structural elements 27.2 of the light-coupling structure 26.2 are arranged within the lamination layer 15 and are completely surrounded by the lamination layer 15. All structural elements 27.1 and 27.2 are thus arranged within the light guide 24 and are illuminated by the incident light beams on both their upper and lower sides. Furthermore, a connecting layer (not shown) can be arranged between the lamination films 15.1 and 15.2, for example, a hot-melt adhesive with an adapted refractive index, which supports the lamination of the lamination films 15.1 and 15.2.

[0051] According to a preferred embodiment, the structural elements 27.1 of the first laminating film 15.1 and the structural elements 27.2 of the second laminating film 15.2 are distributed in the respective coupling-out structural planes 34 and 35 in such a way that they are offset from one another in the two coupling-out structural planes 34 and 35 with respect to a vertical viewing direction 36. In this case, the structural elements 27.1 and the structural elements 27.2 can be arranged so as to partially overlap one another in a vertical viewing direction 36, or they can be arranged essentially or entirely without overlap, as shown in Fig. 5. The structural elements 27.1 and 27.2, which are arranged offset from one another in their coupling-out structural planes 34 and 35, produce a three-dimensional effect or 3D effect when the light is coupled out. This 3D effect is particularly noticeable when the viewing angle is inclined with the viewing direction 37 relative to the laminated glass pane 3 and when the viewing angle changes, for example when the viewing angle changes. B.is recognizable when the viewer moves. The 3D effect can be produced and adjusted, for example, by a definable distance between the coupling-out structural planes 34 and 35 in the thickness direction of the laminated glass pane 3 and by a number of additional laminating films beyond the two laminating films 15.1 and 15.2. The laminating films 15.1 and 15.2 and optionally further laminating films can each be provided with or printed with the structural elements 27 on their upper sides facing the inner glass pane 8 and / or on their upper sides facing the outer glass pane 7 and / or on both upper sides.

[0052] Furthermore, a further light extraction structure 26.3 can optionally be provided (see Figs. 4 and 5). For this purpose, the second laminating film 15.2 has, on its film surface facing the outer glass pane 7, structural elements 27.3 shown as examples, which are arranged in a further extraction structural plane of the laminating layer 15 of the laminated glass pane 3 on the surface of the laminating layer 15.2 facing away from the inner glass pane 8. The light extraction structure 26 can in principle be applied to the respective laminating film 15.1 and 15.2 or the laminating layer 15 or can also be introduced within the laminating film 15.1 and 15.2 or the laminating layer 15. The light extraction structure 26 is at least partially transparent or completely transparent. In the case of an at least partially transparent light extraction structure 26, which e.g.formed by an ink containing scattering particles, light incident from the vehicle surroundings via the outer glass pane 7 onto the light coupling structure 26 can produce the effect of backlighting on the light coupling structure 26.

[0053] The light-outcoupling structure 26 contains, for example, the schematically illustrated structural elements 27, which may be formed, for example, in the form of printed ink drops or may also have an optical lens structure. The light-outcoupling structure 26 may also have structural elements in linear form or in other geometric shapes, or in irregular shapes. The light-outcoupling structure 26 may also be a film printed with structural elements, which is glued to the lamination layer.

[0054] According to a further preferred embodiment (see Fig. 6), the laminated glass pane 3 contains an optical insulating layer 38, which is applied to the upper side 39 of the laminating layer 15 facing the outer glass pane 7. The upper side 39 also corresponds to the upper side of the laminating film, e.g., the laminating film 15.2, which is arranged adjacent to the outer glass pane 7. The insulating layer 38 is, for example, a transparent film with a refractive index mso that is lower than the refractive index m of the laminating layer 15. The insulating layer 38 has, for example, a refractive index mso of less than or equal to 1.45. The insulating layer 38 is formed, for example, from a fluoropolymer-based plastic. Due to the insulating layer 38, the light propagating in the light guide 24 is largely or completely reflected at an optical interface 40 at the transition to the insulating layer 38 and is coupled out at the light coupling structure 26 or the structural elements 27.While in the embodiment of Fig. 2, the degree of light reflection at the outer glass pane 7 is determined by its refractive index, the desired degree of light reflection can be adjusted by selecting the insulating layer 38 with a definable refractive index. Thus, the optical efficiency of the light guide 24 is increased due to the high light reflection at the optical insulating layer 38.

[0055] According to a further preferred embodiment, the laminated glass pane 3 contains at least one further layer 41 (Fig. 6), which is arranged between the lamination layer 15 and the first outer glass pane 7 or between the optical insulation layer 38 and the first outer glass pane 7. The layer 41 is preferably made of a material such as PVB, EVA, or TPU. The additional layer 41 is, in particular, a lamination layer that attaches the non-adhesive optical insulation layer 38 to the outer glass pane 7. Such PVB / TPU / EVA layers can also be used for laminating switchable films within the layer stack of the laminated glass pane 3.

[0056] List of reference symbols

[0057] Vehicle glazing 23c Light beam vehicle 24 Light guide

[0058] Laminated glass pane 25 Light extraction device Vehicle roof 26 Light extraction structure

[0059] Roof opening 26.1 Light decoupling structure

[0060] Cover 26.2 Light extraction structure of the first glass pane 26.3 Light extraction structure of the second glass pane 27 Structural element outside 27.1 Structural element outer main surface 27.2 Structural element inner main inner surface 27.3 Structural element inside 28 Surface outer main surface 29 Base area inner main inner surface 30 Light beam laminating layer 31 Surface .1 Laminating film 32 Film surface .2 Laminating film 33 Film surface

[0061] Light source 34 Output structure plane side edge 35 Output structure plane side surface 36 Viewing direction

[0062] Outer interface 37 Direction of view First inner interface 38 Insulating layer Light beam 39 Top side a Light beam 40 Interface b Light beam 41 Layer .1 Light beam 42 Carrier Second inner interface 43 Diffuser element Light beam 43.1 Diffuser elementa Light beam 44 Diffuser elementb Light beam

Claims

Patent claims 1. Vehicle glazing (1) with a laminated glass pane (3) which has a first outer glass pane (7) and a second inner glass pane (8), wherein the two glass panes (7, 8) are connected to one another by means of at least one lamination layer (15) and a light decoupling means (25) is provided in the region of the lamination layer (15), wherein light which is coupled into the edge of the second inner glass pane (8) is coupled out by means of the light decoupling means (25) via a main surface (13) of the second inner glass pane (8) opposite the lamination layer (15), characterized in that the lamination layer (15) has a refractive index adapted to the refractive index of the inner glass pane (8) in such a way that the lamination layer (15) and the inner glass pane (8) form a common light guide (24).

2. Vehicle glazing (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the laminating layer (15) is formed from a transparent material with a refractive index m which corresponds to the refractive index nc of the inner glass pane (8) or differs within a value range of maximum + / - 0.028 from the refractive index nc of the inner glass pane (8), the refractive index nc of which is in particular 1.

52.

3. Vehicle glazing (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the laminating layer (15) is formed from a transparent lightfast material, in particular from a COP- or COC-based material.

4. Vehicle glazing (1) according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the lamination layer (15) is formed with at least one light decoupling structure (26) as light decoupling means (25) and that the lamination layer (15) has the light decoupling structure (26.1) on its surface (28) facing the inner glass pane (8) and / or the light decoupling structure (26.3) on its surface facing away from the inner glass pane (8) and / or the light decoupling structure (26.2) within the lamination layer (15).

5. Vehicle glazing (1) according to claim 4, characterized in that the respective light coupling structure (26, 26.1, 26.2, 26.3) is opaque, semi-opaque or transparent.

6. Vehicle glazing (1) according to claim 4 or 5, characterized in that the respective light coupling structure (26, 26.

1. 26.2, 26.3) individual light-coupling structural elements (27, 27.1 , 27.2, 27.3).

7. Vehicle glazing (1) according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the laminating layer (15) has a thickness in the range from 10 pm to 2000 pm, preferably 10 pm to 1200 pm and in particular 10 pm to 850 pm.

8. Vehicle glazing (1) according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the lamination layer (15) has light-scattering particles embedded in the lamination layer (15) as a light decoupling means.

9. Vehicle glazing (1) according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that an optically insulating transparent insulating layer (38) is arranged on the side (39) of the lamination layer (15) facing the first glass pane (7), which has a refractive index mso which is smaller than the refractive index m of the lamination layer (15) and in particular is less than or equal to 1.

45.

10. Vehicle glazing (1) according to one of claims 4 to 9, characterized in that the laminating layer (15) is formed as a laminating layer composite and comprises at least a first laminating film (15.1) and a second laminating film (15.2), which each have at least one light decoupling structure (26.1 or 26.2), wherein the light decoupling structures (26.1 and 26.2) are arranged in the laminating layer (15) formed as a laminating layer composite in spaced-apart decoupling structure planes (34 or 35).

11. Vehicle glazing (1) according to claim 10, characterized in that the structural elements (27.1) of the first laminating film (15.1) and the structural elements (27.2) of the second laminating film (15.2) are arranged distributed in the respective coupling-out structural plane (34, 35) in such a way that in the viewing direction perpendicular to the planar extent of the inner glass pane (8), the structural elements (27.1 and 27.2) in the two coupling-out structural planes (34 and 35, respectively) partially overlap or are arranged substantially without overlap.

12. Vehicle glazing (1) according to one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that the vehicle glazing (1) has a further layer, in particular a laminating layer (41), which is arranged between the laminating layer (15) and the first outer glass pane (7).

13. Vehicle glazing (1) according to one of claims 1 to 12, characterized in that the vehicle glazing (1) has a functional film, in particular a switchable film for adjusting the transparency of the vehicle glazing (1).

14. Vehicle glazing (1) according to one of claims 1 to 13, characterized in that at least one light coupling or a light source (16) is arranged at the edge of the second inner glass pane (8) in such a way that light from the light coupling or the light source (16) is directed at the edge into the second inner glass pane (8) or into the common optical fiber (24) is coupled.

Images