Glazing unit having an illuminable glazing pane

Abstract

The invention relates to a glazing unit (1), comprising: - an illuminable glazing pane (4) having a first main face (6) and an oppositely situated second main face (7) that are interconnected by an end face (8), - a frame part (9) arranged on the end face (8), - a reflection face (13) arranged on the frame part (9), - an illuminating means (14) for producing light, said illuminating means being arranged such that the light produced by the illuminating means (14) can strike the reflection face (13), wherein: the reflection face (13) is designed such that light produced by the illuminating means (14) can be reflected to the end face (8) and coupled into the illuminable glazing pane (4) at the end face (8); the frame part (9) has an oblique face (11) on which the reflection face (13) is arranged; a filler layer (10) consisting of a polymer material is arranged between the reflection face (13) and the end face (8) of the illuminable glazing pane (4); and the frame part (9) is directly connected to the end face (8) of the illuminable glazing pane (4) by the filler layer (10).

Description

[0001] Disc arrangement with illuminated disc

[0002] The invention lies in the technical field of window manufacturing and relates to a window assembly with an illuminable window, as well as a method for its production. Furthermore, the invention relates to a use of the window assembly according to the invention.

[0003] Laminated panes are manufactured in large quantities in industrial series production, for example for windshields in motor vehicles. They generally consist of an outer pane, an inner pane, and a thermoplastic interlayer that bonds the outer pane to the inner pane over the entire surface. The thermoplastic interlayer is typically made of one or more films made of a thermoplastic material such as polyvinyl butyral (PVB), which, in addition to their adhesive properties, also exhibits high toughness and high acoustic damping. The thermoplastic interlayer prevents the laminated pane from shattering in the event of damage. Rather, the laminated pane only develops cracks when exposed to damaging influences but otherwise remains dimensionally stable. In addition to laminated panes, single panes are also used, which, thanks to tempering, have increased impact and shock resistance compared to normal flat glass.Such single panes, commonly referred to as "toughened safety glass," are used, for example, as side or roof windows in motor vehicles.

[0004] Window lighting is often desired, for example in vehicle construction, where surface window lighting, window contour lighting, accent lighting or functional lighting is very attractive and, in the case of functional lighting, can also be necessary and safety-relevant, for example to enable the user to operate a certain function even in the dark.

[0005] The use of electro-optical functional elements is known, which typically contain an active layer between two surface electrodes, wherein the optical properties of the active layer, in particular the transmission of light, can be changed by a voltage applied to the surface electrodes. Examples of this are electrochromic functional elements (e.g. US20120026573A1 and W02012007334A1) or SPD functional elements (e.g. EP0876608B1 and WO2011033313A1). However, independent illumination of panes is not possible with electro-optical functional elements. Rather, it depends essentially on the lighting conditions of the external environment. For independent illumination of panes, it is known to couple light at the edge or end surface of the pane and to utilize the total internal reflection of the coupled light occurring at the optical interfaces of the pane.The pane thus serves as a flat light guide for the coupled-in light. To ensure that light is emitted in the area of ​​the pane's main surfaces, special measures are required to achieve diffuse scattering or reflection of the coupled-in light. The coupling out of light by reflective layers on the pane or the introduction of microstructures (scattering centers) into the surface of the pane is known. For example, W02007 / 077099 describes a composite pane in which light is coupled into a polycarbonate layer at one end face, totally reflected at the optical interfaces of the polycarbonate layer, and coupled out through diffuse scattering at dome-shaped scattering centers.

[0006] In practice, coupling light at the front surface of a pane leads to satisfactory results, especially for homogeneous illumination of the pane across its entire surface, since the light can be efficiently coupled, for example, across the entire edge surface. However, in certain applications, the light cannot be coupled into the pane at the edge surface, e.g., in the case of panes that are glued into a body frame, such as roof windows on motor vehicles. Such panes usually also have an edge surface with a rounded cut (e.g., "C-cut"), which prevents efficient light coupling, since light coupling at an edge surface typically requires a smooth or flat pane edge.

[0007] FR 1158720 A1 shows a pane assembly with a frame part, in which light can be coupled into the front surface via a light guide. The light guide is bonded to the pane by means of an adhesive that ensures good optical coupling between the light guide and the pane.

[0008] In contrast, the object of the present invention is to avoid the aforementioned disadvantages and to provide an improved pane arrangement with a mechanically stable and simple construction, in which there is a good mechanical connection between the frame part and the pane. A separate light guide as in FR 1158720 A1 should be dispensed with. In addition, good coupling of the light to the front of the illuminable pane should be possible. The illuminable pane should be simple and cost-effective to manufacture in industrial series production. These and other objects are achieved according to the proposal of the invention by a pane arrangement with an illuminable pane according to claim 1. Advantageous embodiments of the invention arise from the subclaims.

[0009] The pane arrangement according to the invention comprises an illuminable pane (luminous pane), which is preferably designed as a flat light guide and is thus suitable for guiding light by means of total reflection within the pane.

[0010] The pane is flat. The pane is, for example, a flat pane of glass. The illuminable pane can be flat (i.e., non-curved) or curved. The two main surfaces of the pane are preferably, but not necessarily, parallel.

[0011] If the disk is flat (non-curved), it has a non-curved plane. For a flat disk, a normal to the disk can be constructed at any point, with the normals always being equal. If the disk is curved, a locally tangential, non-curved plane can be constructed at any point on the disk, with a tangent being possible on any tangential plane.

[0012] The pane has a (circumferential) edge surface or end surface that connects the two opposite surfaces (in the see-through area of ​​transparent panes). The term "main surface" is used here and below for the two opposite surfaces to distinguish them from the circumferential edge surface. The terms "edge surface" and "end surface" are used synonymously. It is understood that the edge surface is terminal. The edge surface is, for example, flat and, in particular, arranged perpendicular to the two main surfaces, but can also be rounded. In particular, the edge surface can also be curved and, for example, have a C-shaped circular grind ("C-grind").

[0013] The illuminable pane is preferably transparent. For the purposes of the present invention, "transparent" means that the visible light transmission is more than 70%, and in particular more than 75%. Accordingly, "opaque" means a light transmission of less than 15%, preferably less than 5%, and in particular 0%.

[0014] The illuminable disc is preferably designed as a flat light guide and is suitable for guiding light coupled into the disc from the side or at the end face by total internal reflection, wherein the two main surfaces of the disc each form an optical interface to the environment (e.g. air or thermoplastic material such as polyvinyl butyral) at which total internal reflection of the light coupled into the disc can take place. Essential to the function as an optical interface is a difference in the optical refractive index of the materials adjacent to the interface, which depends on the wavelength of the incident light. As is known to those skilled in the art, total internal reflection occurs when the angle of the light incident on an optical interface is sufficiently large (measured with respect to the normal to the interface).In accordance with common usage, the term "total internal reflection" refers to the reflection of light at an optical interface caused by a difference in the optical refractive index of the materials forming the optical interface. Total internal reflection is therefore not a reflection from a reflective surface (mirror). In particular, the illuminable panel can be designed for uniform, flat illumination.

[0015] The arrangement further comprises a frame part arranged on the end face. The frame part is preferably designed to be circumferential, wherein the frame part preferably completely surrounds the pane. Optionally, one or more interruptions in the frame part can be provided. The frame part therefore forms a frame or border for the pane, preferably a complete border around the pane, although the border can also be provided only in sections, particularly if one or more interruptions are provided. The border can in particular serve to glue the illuminable pane into a pane frame, e.g. a body frame, as is usual for roof windows on motor vehicles, for example.

[0016] A reflective surface for reflecting light is arranged on the frame part. In particular, the reflective surface is arranged on the frame part at least in certain areas, in particular only in certain areas, i.e., only in one or more areas of the frame part.

[0017] Furthermore, the arrangement has a light source for generating light, which is arranged so that the light generated by the light source can strike the reflection surface.

[0018] Preferably, the reflective surface faces the end face of the pane. The reflective surface can be flat (non-curved) or curved. The reflective surface is typically designed as an oblique reflective surface, wherein the reflective surface has at least one region in which a normal to the reflective surface is directed obliquely to a normal to the pane. The term "oblique" is understood to mean that a normal to the reflective surface forms an angle to a normal to the pane that is different from 0° to 90° and lies between 0° and 90°. Preferably, said angle is 45°.

[0019] As already explained, the reflecting surface can be flat (non-curved) or curved. For a flat reflecting surface, a normal to the reflecting surface can be constructed at any point on the reflecting surface, with all normals always having the same orientation. If the reflecting surface is curved, a local tangential (non-curved) plane can be constructed at any point on the reflecting surface, to which a normal can be constructed. It is understood that the normals can also have different directions.

[0020] The oblique reflection surface has at least one region in which a normal to the reflection surface is directed obliquely to a normal to the pane, i.e., an angle between the normals lies between 0° and 90° and is preferably 45°. For a curved reflection surface and / or curved pane, the term "normal" is to be understood as described above. If the reflection surface is flat (non-curved), the reflection surface is designed such that the normal to the reflection surface is always directed at an angle between 0 and 90° to a normal to the pane and is preferably 90°.

[0021] In the arrangement according to the invention, the illuminant for generating light is arranged such that the light generated by the illuminant can strike the reflective surface. Furthermore, the reflective surface is designed or arranged such that light generated by the illuminant and striking the reflective surface is reflected to the front surface, coupled into the pane at the front surface, and preferably, but not necessarily, at least partially totally reflected in the pane. The reflective layer is suitable for reflecting the light generated by the illuminant.

[0022] The invention thus offers the particular advantage that the illuminant does not have to be arranged on the front surface of the pane, which is difficult to implement in practice with a frame section surrounding the pane. Instead, the illuminant can be arranged on the frame section, and the light generated by the illuminant can be coupled into the pane via the front surface through the reflective surface formed on the frame section. This is a major advantage of the arrangement according to the invention, as it allows even panes with a surrounding frame section to be independently illuminated in a simple and cost-effective manner.

[0023] The frame part has an inclined surface on which the reflective surface is arranged. The inclined surface of the frame part preferably faces the end face of the pane and can be flat (non-curved) or curved. The reflective surface is preferably formed by a reflective layer arranged on the inclined surface, wherein the reflective layer in particular contains or consists of a metallic layer. The reflective layer is, for example, a layer made of a metallic material such as silver (Ag) or aluminum (Al). This enables a particularly simple and cost-effective design of the reflective surface.

[0024] In addition, a filler layer made of a polymer material is arranged between the reflective surface and the end face of the illuminable panel, which filler layer connects the frame part to the end face of the illuminable panel. The frame part is directly connected to the end face of the illuminable panel by the filler layer, with no further material between the frame part and the end face of the illuminable panel. The light reflected from the reflective surface toward the end face crosses the material of the filler layer, so that the material of the filler layer has optical transparency. This enables a good mechanical connection between the frame part and the end face and a mechanically stable and simple construction of the illuminable panel. It also offers further advantages, as will become apparent from the following description.

[0025] In an advantageous embodiment of the arrangement according to the invention, an optical refractive index of the polymeric material of the fill layer deviates from an optical refractive index of a material of the illuminable pane by less than 10%, in particular less than 5% or even less than 1%. In particular, an optical refractive index of the polymeric material of the fill layer is the same, or at least approximately the same, as an optical refractive index of a material of the illuminable pane. This measure has the particular advantage that optical refraction of the light reflected from the reflection surface towards the end face of the illuminable pane is largely prevented at the transition between the fill layer and the end face of the illuminable pane. Furthermore, it is not absolutely necessary for the end face of the illuminable pane to be flat.Rather, the end face can also have a curvature, for example, a C-shaped cut, and yet still allow good coupling of the light into the illuminable pane. This is a major advantage of this embodiment. In a further advantageous embodiment of the arrangement according to the invention, the material of the filler layer consists of an optically clear adhesive. Optically clear adhesives, usually abbreviated to OCA (Optically Clear Adhesive), are well known to those skilled in the art. This applies in particular to liquid, optically clear adhesives, usually abbreviated to LOCA (Liquid Optically Clear Adhesive), which are also commercially available and freely available from a variety of suppliers.Optically clear adhesives are characterized by high optical quality and are particularly useful where high optical quality is essential, as the adhesive layer must be virtually invisible, such as in displays or touch panels. Therefore, optically clear adhesives are often used in touch-sensitive displays, for example, to bond them to an LCD or to bond plastic covers to touch-sensitive displays. Optically clear adhesives are particularly characterized by high light transmission and the fact that they allow for low-distortion viewing.

[0026] The liquid, optically clear adhesive can, in principle, be chosen arbitrarily, as long as it is sufficiently fluid to fill the area between the reflective surface and the front surface of the illuminable panel and its curing is possible. The liquid, optically clear adhesive can, for example, contain or consist of polyurethane (PU), polyacrylate, polyacetate resin, casting resin, or a copolymer or mixture thereof. The optically clear adhesive is advantageously made of a casting resin, particularly polyurethane- or silicone-based.

[0027] The liquid, optically clear adhesive is curable, i.e., it can be irreversibly cured. Typically, it is a plastic that is cured into a polymer-crosslinked state through curing. This distinguishes the curable adhesive significantly from a thermoplastic (e.g., PVB), which is also optically transparent, but can always be softened (i.e., reversibly) through the application of heat. In contrast, the cured, optically clear adhesive cannot be brought back into the flowable state once it has cured. The optically clear adhesive is therefore not a thermoplastic. Depending on the adhesive used, curing can occur through thermal curing (i.e.,Heat input), by electromagnetic radiation, in particular UV radiation, IR radiation or microwave radiation, by ultrasound, by the addition of moisture or by a chemical reaction of various components (in particular two-component adhesive). Thus, on the one hand, the optically clear adhesive can achieve a good mechanical bond between the frame part and the illuminable pane, with the processability of the optically clear adhesive being excellent. On the other hand, the optically clear adhesive is highly transparent for the radiation of the illuminant reflected from the reflective surface to the end face of the illuminable pane. These are important advantages of this embodiment.

[0028] In a further advantageous embodiment of the arrangement according to the invention, the illuminant is bonded to the polymeric material of the filler layer. This design enables particularly simple attachment of the illuminant to the pane arrangement. Particularly when the filler layer consists of an optically clear adhesive, the illuminant can be bonded to the optically clear adhesive in a simple manner, e.g., by curing the optically clear adhesive.

[0029] In a further advantageous embodiment of the arrangement according to the invention, the illuminant is attached to the frame part and / or to the filler layer. This allows for a particularly simple method of attaching the illuminant.

[0030] In a further advantageous embodiment of the arrangement according to the invention, the illuminant is arranged within, in particular only within, an aligned extension of the frame part when viewed vertically through the pane or in a direction corresponding to the vertical view through the pane. Preferably, the illuminant is arranged outside an aligned extension of the pane when viewed vertically through the pane or in a direction corresponding to the vertical view through the pane.

[0031] In particular, the illuminant can be arranged within, in particular only within, an aligned extension of the filler layer, viewed vertically through the pane or in a direction corresponding to the vertical view through the pane. This measure also allows for a particularly simple method of mounting the illuminant.

[0032] In a further advantageous embodiment of the arrangement according to the invention, the reflective surface is arranged within, in particular only within, a tangential extension of the first main surface and a tangential extension of the second main surface, wherein the reflective surface preferably extends from the tangential extension of the first main surface to the tangential extension of the second main surface. This measure enables a particularly simple design of the arrangement, whereby light can also be coupled particularly efficiently into the end face of the illuminable panel.

[0033] In a further advantageous embodiment of the arrangement according to the invention, the frame part is an injection-molded part made of a polymer material. This measure enables particularly simple and efficient production of the frame part, in particular when the frame part is designed to completely surround the illuminable pane. The frame part can in particular be attached directly to the end face of the illuminable pane and in particular be designed in the form of a frame part injection-molded onto the end face, thereby enabling a particularly strong connection between the frame part and the end face. For example, one region of the end face can be connected directly to the frame part and another region of the end face can be connected directly to the filler layer. On the other hand, the end face of the illuminable pane can be directly connected exclusively to the filler layer.

[0034] In a further advantageous embodiment of the arrangement according to the invention, the filling layer is wedge-shaped, in particular with a triangular cross-sectional area.

[0035] As already explained, the illuminant serves to generate light for illuminating the illuminable pane, wherein the light generated by the illuminant, after reflection from the reflective surface arranged on the frame part, strikes the end face of the illuminable pane. The light generated by the illuminant preferably strikes exclusively the end face of the illuminable pane, i.e., the light generated by the illuminant is only coupled into the illuminable pane at the end face of the illuminable pane, i.e., at one side edge of the illuminable pane. Accordingly, the light generated by the illuminant is not coupled into the illuminable pane at either the first main surface or the second main surface.Preferably, light generated by the illuminant is coupled into the illuminable disc after reflection at the reflection surface on the front face in such a way that at least part of the light is subject to total reflection in the illuminable disc.

[0036] The light generated by the lamp can strike the reflection surface in particular in a divergent form (i.e. as a beam cone), whereby a central beam of the divergent beam cone is reflected onto the end face of the illuminable disc. Preferably, the central beam is reflected by the reflection surface in such a way that total internal reflection of the central beam occurs in the illuminable disc. If the light generated by the lamp strikes the reflection surface in a collimated (directed) manner, i.e. with a parallel beam path, the collimated light beam is reflected onto the end face of the illuminable disc. Preferably, the collimated light beam is reflected by the reflection surface in such a way that total internal reflection of the collimated light beam occurs in the illuminable disc.

[0037] Preferably, the illuminant is arranged such that, with a divergent beam cone of the generated light, a central beam is parallel to a normal of the illuminable panel. With a collimated beam, the beam is likewise preferably parallel to a normal of the illuminable panel. This applies in particular to the attachment of the illuminant to the frame part and / or to the fill layer.

[0038] The illuminant according to the invention can comprise lenses, mirrors, reflectors, or other light-conducting elements that serve to reflect the light at the reflective surface and to couple the reflected light into the illuminable disc at the end face. Particularly advantageously, the illuminant comprises a collimator designed to direct the light generated by the illuminant onto the reflective surface in a collimated manner (i.e., with a parallel beam path).

[0039] Advantageous light sources include laser diodes, light-emitting diodes (LEDs), or incandescent bulbs, with the invention encompassing any type of light source. The light source can be suitable for generating colored or white light. In principle, the light source can also be designed to generate light in the ultraviolet or infrared range. Preferred light colors include red (due to its pronounced signaling effect), green (due to the human eye's high sensitivity to the green color spectrum), and blue (due to its particularly aesthetic and low-glare effect).

[0040] The light coupled into the illuminable pane can be extracted from the illuminable pane, for example, by scattering the light, e.g., in the region of the main surfaces. For example, one main surface or both main surfaces can each be provided with one or more scattering structures, at which light scattering of the light totally reflected in the pane occurs, so that light from the illuminable pane can be scattered. In principle, a scattering structure is designed such that the condition of total reflection no longer applies at the scattering structure. For this purpose, one or both main surfaces of the pane can be provided with a local roughening that acts as a scattering structure. Such scattering structures can optionally be provided on the first and / or second main surface. Measures for extracting totally reflected light from a light guide are known to those skilled in the art (see, for example,WO 2007 / 077099), so there is no need to discuss this in more detail. Furthermore, these means are not necessary for understanding the invention.

[0041] The pane arrangement according to the invention thus advantageously also enables the use of the illuminable pane as a flat (curved or non-curved) light guide, whereby light can be coupled into the illuminable pane at the end face in such a way that the angle condition for total internal reflection in the illuminable pane is met. The illuminable pane thus serves as a light guide and can be illuminated, in particular, over a wide area and homogeneously. Total internal reflection of the light coupled into the illuminable pane at the end face is advantageous, but not absolutely necessary.

[0042] According to an advantageous embodiment of the pane arrangement according to the invention, the illuminable pane is a glass pane.

[0043] The illuminable pane is designed, for example, as a single pane that is not connected to other panes, in particular as single-pane safety glass that has been tempered to give it particularly high impact and break resistance.

[0044] It is also possible for the illuminable pane to be part of a laminated pane. The laminated pane consists of an outer pane and an inner pane, bonded together by lamination via an intermediate layer. The terms "outer pane" and "inner pane" are used only to distinguish between a first and a second pane. When the laminated pane is used as a vehicle pane or as a building pane, the outer pane preferably, but not necessarily, faces the exterior of the laminated pane, and the inner pane faces the interior.

[0045] Preferably, the illuminable pane is the inner or outer pane of the composite pane, particularly preferably the inner pane of the composite pane.

[0046] If the inner pane of the laminated pane is the illuminable pane, it may be advantageous for the outer pane to be colored and, in particular, opaque, and / or for the intermediate layer to be colored and, in particular, opaque. This allows for a very attractive design of the laminated pane, in which the inner pane is exposed to homogeneous, flat illumination.

[0047] It is also conceivable for the illuminable pane to be laminated into the composite pane between the inner pane and the outer pane. During production, the illuminable pane is preferably clamped between two thermoplastic films (e.g., PVB films). In this case, it is preferred that the outer pane be colored and / or that the thermoplastic film arranged closer to the outer pane be colored and, in particular, opaque. The intermediate layer is therefore preferably colored in sections, in particular opaque. This enables a very attractive design of the composite pane, in which the inner pane is subjected to particularly homogeneous, planar illumination.

[0048] In the case of a composite pane, it may be advantageous if the filling layer is only attached to the end face of one pane, e.g. inner pane, preferably directly, while the frame part is attached to the end face of the other pane, e.g. outer pane, preferably directly.

[0049] The illuminable pane and / or the panes of the composite pane are preferably made of glass, particularly preferably of soda-lime glass, as is common for window panes. The panes can, however, also be made of other types of glass, e.g. quartz glass, borosilicate glass or aluminosilicate glass, or of rigid, clear plastics, e.g. polycarbonate, polyethylene terephthalate (PET) or polymethyl methacrylate. The panes can be made of untempered, partially tempered or tempered glass. The thickness of the panes can vary greatly and can be adapted to the respective requirements in each individual case. The thickness of the panes is preferably between 0.1 mm and 10 mm, in the case of glass preferably between 1 mm and 5 mm, particularly preferably between 1.4 mm and 3 mm.

[0050] An illuminable panel made of a polymer material such as polyethylene terephthalate (PET) can be flexible and have a thin thickness of, for example, 0.2 mm or less. Such an illuminable panel is preferably laminated into a composite panel.

[0051] The illuminable pane and / or the panes of the composite pane can generally be clear and colorless, but can also be tinted, clouded, or colored. The intermediate layer is formed by at least one thermoplastic film. The thermoplastic film comprises at least one thermoplastic polymer, preferably ethylene-vinyl acetate (EVA), polyvinyl butyral (PVB), or polyurethane (PU), or mixtures or copolymers or derivatives thereof. The thickness of the intermediate layer, and in particular of a thermoplastic film, is preferably 0.2 mm to 2 mm, particularly preferably 0.3 mm to 1 mm, for example 0.38 mm or 0.76 mm.

[0052] A laminated pane is manufactured by lamination using conventional processes known to those skilled in the art, such as autoclave processes, vacuum bag processes, vacuum ring processes, calender processes, vacuum laminating machines, or combinations thereof. Lamination is typically performed under the influence of heat, vacuum, and / or pressure.

[0053] The invention further extends to a method for producing a pane assembly according to the invention with an illuminable pane, as described above. The features of the pane assembly according to the invention apply analogously to the method according to the invention. The method according to the invention comprises the following steps, which do not necessarily have to be performed in the specified order:

[0054] Providing an illuminable disc having a first main surface and an opposite second main surface, which are connected to one another by a circumferential end surface;

[0055] Arranging a frame part on the front surface,

[0056] Forming a reflective surface on the frame part,

[0057] Arranging a light source for generating light on the frame part in such a way that the light generated by the light source can strike the reflection surface, wherein the reflection surface is designed or arranged in such a way that incident light (generated by the light source) can be reflected to the front surface and coupled into the pane at the front surface and preferably totally reflected in the pane,

[0058] Furthermore, the invention extends to the use of the pane arrangement according to the invention with an illuminable pane in means of transport on land, in the air or on water, in particular in trains, ships and motor vehicles, for example as a windscreen, rear window, side window and / or roof window, in buildings, in particular in the access area, window area, roof area or facade area, as a built-in part in furniture and appliances.

[0059] The various embodiments of the invention can be implemented individually or in any combination. In particular, the above-mentioned features can be used not only in the specified combinations, but also in other combinations or alone, without departing from the scope of the present invention.

[0060] The invention is explained in more detail below using an exemplary embodiment with reference to the accompanying figures. They show, in a simplified representation, not to scale:

[0061] Figure 1 is a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of the pane arrangement according to the invention with an illuminable pane, which is part of a composite pane,

[0062] Figure 2 shows a flow diagram of the method according to the invention.

[0063] Figure 1 illustrates a cross-sectional view of a disk arrangement, designated overall by reference number 1. The cross-sectional view corresponds to a vertical section through the disks.

[0064] The pane assembly 1 comprises a composite pane 2, shown only partially, with an outer pane 3 and an inner pane 4 (top in Figure 1), which are firmly connected to one another by a thermoplastic intermediate layer 5. The different sides of the outer pane 3 and the inner pane 4 can be designated using conventional Roman numerals. The surface of the outer pane 3 facing the outside environment is designated as side 1, the surface of the outer pane facing the intermediate layer 5

[0065] 3 is referred to as side II, the surface of the inner pane 4 facing the intermediate layer 5 is referred to as side III and the surface of the inner pane 4 facing the inner environment is referred to as side IV.

[0066] In the embodiment of the disc arrangement 1 shown in Figure 1, the inner disc serves

[0067] 4 of the composite pane 2 as an illuminable pane with a first main surface 6 (side IV) and an opposite second main surface 7 (side III). The two main surfaces 6, 7 are connected to one another by an end-side edge surface or end face 8. The end face 8 represents the terminal edge surface of the inner pane 4. The end face 8 is shown in Figure 1 as a flat surface arranged perpendicular to the two main surfaces 6, 7. However, it is also conceivable for the end face 8 to have a curvature, for example in the form of a C-shaped cut. In the exemplary embodiment in Figure 1, the inner pane 4 is designed as an illuminable pane within the meaning of the invention.

[0068] The composite pane 2 has a (total) end face 8", which results from the end face 8 of the inner pane and the end face 8' of the outer pane 3, whereby the end face of the intermediate layer 5, which is often set back, is disregarded here.

[0069] On the end face 8" of the composite pane 2, a frame part 9 made of a polymer material is arranged, which is produced by injection molding and completely and preferably continuously surrounds the composite pane 2. The frame part 9 represents a border of the composite pane 2 and is injection-molded directly onto the end face 8" of the composite pane 2.

[0070] Adjacent to and in the region of the end face 8 of the inner pane 4, the frame part 9 has a recess through which an inclined surface 11 facing the end face 8 is formed. In Figure 1, the inclined surface 11 is flat, with the normal to the inclined surface 11 being arranged at an angle of 45° to the normal of the composite pane 2 or inner pane 4. However, it would also be conceivable for the inclined surface 11 to be curved.

[0071] A reflective layer 12 (e.g., made of a metallic material such as silver or aluminum) having a reflective surface 13 is disposed on the inclined surface 11. The normal to the reflective surface 13 is disposed at an angle of 45° to the normal of the composite pane 2 or inner pane 4, corresponding to the inclined surface 11. The reflective surface 13 is disposed within a tangential extension of the first main surface 6 and a tangential extension of the second main surface 7 of the inner pane 4, with the reflective surface 13 extending from the tangential extension of the first main surface 6 to the tangential extension of the second main surface 7. Thus, a perpendicular projection of the reflective surface 13 onto the end face 8 of the inner pane 4 extends over the entire end face 8 of the inner pane 4.

[0072] The recess of the frame part 9, or the area between the reflective surface 13 and the end face 8 of the inner pane 4, is filled with a filler layer 10 made of a polymeric material, wherein the filler layer 10 has a wedge shape with a triangular cross-sectional area. The filler layer 10 consists of a cured, optically clear adhesive. As clearly visible in Figure 1, the filler layer 10 made of optically clear adhesive is directly (immediately) bonded to the reflective layer 12 and the end face 8 of the inner pane 4. The end face 8 of the inner pane 4 is indirectly bonded to the frame part 9 via the filler layer 10 made of optically clear adhesive. The end face 8' of the outer pane 3 (and optionally the intermediate layer 5) is directly bonded to the frame part 9, with a direct bond between the end face 8" of the composite pane 2 and the end face 8' of the outer pane 3 (and optionally the intermediate layer 5).

[0073] A light source 14, which contains, for example, a light-emitting diode, is arranged on the fill layer 10, in a vertical view through the composite pane 2, within an aligned extension of the fill layer 10. The light source 14 is firmly connected to the fill layer 10. The light source 14 serves to generate light and is arranged such that the generated light can strike the reflection surface 13. The light generated by the light source 14 can strike the reflection surface 13 in particular in a divergent form (i.e. as a beam cone), the light source 14 being directed such that a central ray of the divergent beam cone strikes the reflection surface 13 parallel to the normal of the composite pane 2 or inner pane 4. The same applies to a collimated light beam.

[0074] The light beam generated by the illuminant 14 is reflected by the reflection surface 13 toward the end face 8 of the inner pane 4 and is coupled at the end face 8 into the inner pane 4, which preferably serves as a planar conductor. The light beam is at least partially coupled into the inner pane 4 in such a way that it is totally reflected at the two main surfaces 6, 7, which form optical interfaces. The totally reflected portion of the light beam can be coupled out of the inner pane 4 in the region of the main surfaces 6, 7 via scattering centers (not shown).

[0075] The outer pane 3 is transparent or tinted, preferably tinted. The intermediate layer 5 is transparent or tinted, preferably tinted with a light transmittance of more than 50%, so that the composite pane 2 with the illuminable inner pane 4 has a particularly attractive appearance.

[0076] In the illustrated embodiment, the composite pane 2 can be provided with an opaque coating (not shown), such as a black print, on one of the sides I to IV. Furthermore, the composite pane 2 can have a functional layer (not shown), in particular an IR layer, preferably on side II.

[0077] Figure 2 illustrates the method according to the invention using a flowchart. Steps a), b), c), and d) relate to:

[0078] (a) providing an illuminable disc (4) having a first main surface (6) and an opposite second main surface (7), which are connected to one another by an end face (8),

[0079] (b) arranging a frame part (9) on the end face (8) of the illuminable pane (4),

[0080] (c) forming a reflection surface (13) on the frame part (9),

[0081] (d) Arranging a light-generating means (14) on the frame part (9) such that the light generated by the light-generating means (14) can strike the reflective surface (13), wherein the reflective surface (13) is designed such that incident light is reflected to the end face (8) and can be coupled into the illuminable pane (4) at the end face (8). Preferably, but not necessarily, the light is coupled in such a way that at least part of the light is totally reflected.

[0082] From the above, it can be seen that the invention provides a novel pane arrangement with an illuminable pane and a frame part surrounding the illuminable pane, in which light can be coupled into the pane after reflection from a reflective surface arranged on the frame part on one end face of the pane. The illuminable pane can thus be illuminated even if the end face is not accessible during installation of the pane (e.g., during installation in the body frame of a motor vehicle). Furthermore, the end face does not have to be flat or even, but can, in particular, have a rounded surface (C-shaped surface). The pane arrangement, in particular with an illuminable pane that is part of a composite pane, can be produced simply, cost-effectively, and with high optical quality. In addition, it exhibits particularly high mechanical stability.

[0083] 1 disc arrangement

[0084] 2 Composite pane 3 Outer pane

[0085] 4 inner pane

[0086] 5 Intermediate layer

[0087] 6 first main area

[0088] 7 second main surface 8, 8', 8" front surface

[0089] 9 Frame part

[0090] 10 Filling layer

[0091] 11 Inclined surface

[0092] 12 Reflective layer 13 Reflective surface

[0093] 14 bulbs

Claims

Patent claims 1. A pane arrangement (1), comprising: an illuminable pane (4) having a first main surface (6) and an opposite second main surface (7), which are connected to one another by an end face (8), a frame part (9) arranged on the end face (8), a reflection surface (13) arranged on the frame part (9), a light-emitting means (14) for generating light, which is arranged such that the light generated by the light-emitting means (15) can strike the reflection surface (13), wherein the reflection surface (13) is designed such that light generated by the light-emitting means (14) can be reflected to the end face (8) and coupled into the illuminable pane (4) at the end face (8), wherein the frame part (9) has an inclined surface (11) on which the reflection surface (13) is arranged, wherein a filling layer (10) made of a polymer material is arranged between the reflection surface (13) and the end face (8) of the illuminable pane (4). is,wherein the frame part (9) is directly connected to the end face (8) of the illuminable pane (4) by the filling layer (10).

2. Pane arrangement (1) according to claim 1, wherein the reflection surface (13) is formed by a reflection layer (12) arranged on the inclined surface (11), wherein the reflection layer (12) in particular contains or consists of a metallic layer.

3. Pane arrangement (1) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein an optical refractive index of the polymeric material of the filling layer (10) deviates from an optical refractive index of a material of the illuminable pane (4) by less than 10%, in particular less than 5% or even less than 1%, and in particular is at least approximately equal to the optical refractive index of a material of the illuminable pane (4).

4. A pane arrangement (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the polymeric material of the filling layer (10) is an optically clear adhesive.

5. Pane arrangement (1) according to one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the illuminant (15) is connected to the polymeric material of the filling layer (10).

6. Pane arrangement (1) according to one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the illuminating means (14) is arranged in a vertical view through the illuminable pane (4) within, in particular only within, an aligned extension of the frame part (9).

7. Pane arrangement (1) according to one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the illuminating means (14) is arranged, in a vertical view through the illuminable pane (4), outside, in particular only outside, an aligned extension of the illuminable pane (4).

8. Pane arrangement (1) according to one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the illuminant (14) is arranged in a vertical view through the illuminable pane (4) within, in particular only within, an aligned extension of the filling layer (10).

9. Pane arrangement (1) according to one of claims 1 to 8, in which the reflection surface (13) is arranged within, in particular only within, a tangential extension of the first main surface (6) and a tangential extension of the second main surface (7), wherein the reflection surface (13) extends in particular from the tangential extension of the first main surface (6) to the tangential extension of the second main surface (7).

10. A pane arrangement (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the frame part (9) is an injection-molded part made of a polymeric material.

11. Pane arrangement (1) according to one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the filling layer (10) is wedge-shaped, in particular with a triangular cross-sectional area.

12. Pane arrangement (1) according to one of claims 1 to 11, wherein the illuminable pane is a single pane which is not connected to further panes, in particular a single-pane safety glass.

13. Pane arrangement (1) according to one of claims 1 to 11, in which the illuminable pane (4) is part of a composite pane (2), the composite pane (2) having a Outer pane (3) and an inner pane (4) which are connected to one another via an intermediate layer (5), wherein the illuminable pane is the inner or outer pane (3, 4) of the composite pane (2), in particular the inner pane (4) of the composite pane (1), or is laminated between the inner pane (4) and the outer pane (3).

14. A method for producing a pane arrangement (1) with an illuminable pane (4) according to one of claims 1 to 13, comprising: (a) providing an illuminable disc (4) having a first main surface (6) and an opposite second main surface (7), which are connected to one another by an end face (8), (b) arranging a frame part (9) on the end face (8), (c) forming a reflection surface (13) on the frame part (9), (d) Arranging a light-emitting means (14) for generating light on the frame part (9) in such a way that the light generated by the light-emitting means (14) can strike the reflection surface (13), wherein the reflection surface (13) is designed in such a way that incident light can be reflected to the end face (8) and coupled into the illuminable pane (4) at the end face (8).

15. Use of the pane arrangement (1) with illuminable pane (4) according to one of claims 1 to 13 in means of transport for traffic on land, in the air or on water, in particular in trains, ships and motor vehicles, for example as a windscreen, rear window, side window and / or roof window, in buildings, in particular in the access area, window area, roof area or facade area, as a built-in part in furniture and appliances.

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