Vehicular windowpane

Abstract

Provided is a vehicular windowpane which has a simple structure, and which includes a frame body that covers an outer edge of laminated glass in which a thin electrical member is provided between two glass sheets.　The vehicular windowpane comprises: laminated glass that includes a first glass sheet having first and second main surfaces and a first side surface, a second glass sheet having third and fourth main surfaces and a second side surface, and an intermediate film; a thin electrical member that is provided between the second and third main surfaces; wiring that extends along the third main surface, the second side surface, and the fourth main surface between a first end portion connected to the thin electrical member between the second and third main surfaces, and a second end portion provided on the fourth main surface; a resin frame body that covers an outer edge of the laminated glass and the wiring; a cable that has one end connected to the second end portion of the wiring and the other end connected to a wire harness on a vehicle body side; and a holding member that is provided on the fourth main surface, is covered by the frame body, and holds the cable.

Description

Vehicle window glass

[0001] FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE The present disclosure relates to vehicle glazings.

[0002] A conventional resin-framed plate includes a decorative molding on the resin frame of the resin-framed plate, the decorative molding including a main body and a film attached to the surface of the main body, a design portion exposed on the surface of the resin frame, and a buried portion buried in the resin frame, and the film is attached so as to continuously cover the design portion and the buried portion (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

[0003] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2019-209614

[0004] However, conventional resin-framed plates are made by attaching a resin frame to a single sheet of glass, and are not, for example, made of laminated glass in which electrical components are provided between the two glass sheets. If electrical components are provided between the two glass sheets of laminated glass, cables would be required to transmit power, control signals, etc., which could complicate the structure of the frame and its surroundings.

[0005] Therefore, one aspect of the present disclosure aims to provide a vehicle window glass having a simple configuration, including a frame body that covers the outer edge of a laminated glass having a thin electrical component disposed between two glass sheets.

[0006] a first end portion connected to the thin electrical component between the second and third main surfaces and a second end portion provided on the fourth main surface; a resin frame that covers an outer edge of the laminated glass in a plan view and the wiring; a cable having one end connected to the second end portion of the wiring and the other end connected to a wire harness on the vehicle body side; and a holding member that is provided on the fourth main surface and covered by the frame and that holds the cable.

[0007] According to the present disclosure, it is possible to provide a vehicle window glass having a simple configuration, which includes a frame body that covers the outer edge of a laminated glass having a thin electrical component provided between two glass sheets.

[0008] 2A is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of a vehicle window glass 100 of an embodiment. FIG. 2B is a diagram showing an example of the cross-sectional configuration of the vehicle window glass 100, and is a diagram showing a cross section as viewed from the arrow A-A in FIG. 1. FIG. 2C is a diagram showing a configuration in the XZ plane as viewed in the direction of arrow B at the position of arrow B in FIG. 2A. FIG. 2D is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of a holding member 150. FIG. 2E is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of a holding member 150M1 of a first modified embodiment. FIG. 2F is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of a vehicle window glass 100M2 of a second modified embodiment. FIG. 2G is a diagram showing an example of the cross-sectional configuration of a vehicle window glass 100M3 of a third modified embodiment.

[0009] Hereinafter, an embodiment to which the vehicle window glass of the present disclosure is applied will be described. In the following, the same elements will be given the same reference numerals, and duplicated explanations may be omitted.

[0010] In the following, the length, width, thickness, etc. of each part may be exaggerated to make the configuration easier to understand. Furthermore, terms such as parallel, right angle, orthogonal, horizontal, vertical, up and down, etc., are allowed to deviate to the extent that the effect of the embodiment is not impaired.

[0011] <Embodiment> Fig. 1 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of a vehicle window glass 100 according to an embodiment. Fig. 1 shows an example of the vehicle window glass 100 as viewed from the interior side of a vehicle body 10 toward the exterior side. In Fig. 1, the vehicle window glass 100 is shown as a flat plate, but the vehicle window glass 100 may be curved in any one direction or in two or more directions.

[0012] The vehicle window glass 100 is attached to an opening 11 in a vehicle body 10. In Fig. 1, the vehicle window glass 100 is shown in a portion surrounding the opening 11 in the vehicle body 10. In Fig. 1, the vehicle window glass 100 is shown enlarged relative to the opening 11 to make it easier to see.

[0013] The opening 11 is a window frame for mounting the vehicle window glass 100, and is provided with a flange. In one example, the vehicle window glass 100 is mounted to the opening 11 from the outside of the vehicle, but may also be mounted from the inside of the vehicle.

[0014] 1, the planar shape of the laminated glass 110 is generally triangular, but the planar shape of the laminated glass 110 is not limited to a triangular shape and may be, for example, a quadrangular shape such as a rectangular shape or a trapezoidal shape, or any other shape. The planar shape here refers to the shape of a predetermined region of the laminated glass 110 when viewed from the normal direction of the fourth main surface 112B (see FIG. 2A) on the indoor side of the laminated glass 110.

[0015] The vehicle window glass 100 can be used, for example, as a roof glass, rear glass, side glass, quarter glass, extra glass, windshield, etc. of a vehicle. The extra glass is glass that is attached below the rear glass of the vehicle to improve the rearward visibility of the driver. The vehicle here refers to, for example, an electric vehicle (EV), a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV), a hybrid vehicle (HV), a gasoline vehicle, a diesel vehicle, or other automobile. The vehicle may also be a train or steam locomotive.

[0016] Although the embodiment in which the vehicle window glass 100 is fixed to the opening 11 is described here, the laminated glass 110 may be provided so as to be slidable relative to the vehicle body 10. For example, when the laminated glass 110 is used as a roof glass or a side glass, it may be configured so as to be openable and closable relative to the opening 11 by a drive mechanism such as a motor or regulator provided on the vehicle body 10 side.

[0017] The vehicle window glass 100 is a Module Assy Window (MAW) (registered trademark) that includes a laminated glass 110 and a frame 160 provided along the outer edge of the laminated glass 110. The vehicle window glass 100 can be installed in the opening 11 of the vehicle body 10 with the frame 160 attached to the laminated glass 110, thereby simplifying the vehicle assembly work.

[0018] <Vehicle Window Glass 100> The vehicle window glass 100 includes a laminated glass 110, a light control panel 120, an FPC (Flexible Printed Circuit) 130, a cable 140, a holding member 150, and a frame 160. The light control panel 120 is an example of a thin electrical component. The FPC 130 is an example of a flexible substrate.

[0019] Here, as an example, a configuration will be described in which the dimming panel 120 is an example of a thin electrical component, but the thin electrical component is not limited to the dimming panel 120. The thin electrical component may be a functional film, or a heating wire or conductive film for heating, and the dimming panel 120 is an example of a functional film. Thin electrical components other than the dimming panel 120 will be described later.

[0020] In the following, in addition to FIG. 1, FIGS. 2A and 2B are used for explanation. In FIGS. 2A and 2B, XYZ coordinates are defined and explained. The direction parallel to the X axis (X direction), the direction parallel to the Y axis (Y direction), and the direction parallel to the Z axis (Z direction) are perpendicular to each other. The +Z direction side is the exterior side of the vehicle body 10. The Z axis extends in the normal direction of the laminated glass 110. In the following, a planar view refers to viewing an object in the XY plane in the extension direction of the Z axis.

[0021] Fig. 2A is a diagram showing an example of the cross-sectional configuration of the vehicle window glass 100, and is a diagram showing a cross section as viewed from the arrow A-A in Fig. 1. Fig. 2B is a diagram showing the configuration in the XZ plane as viewed in the direction of arrow B at the position of arrow B in Fig. 2A. Fig. 2A also shows the wire harness 20 and connector 21 on the vehicle body 10 side, which are not shown in Fig. 1.

[0022] In Figures 1 and 2A, interior panels etc. on the interior side of the vehicle body 10 are omitted, but the FPC 130, cable 140, holding member 150, frame body 160, wire harness 20 and connector 21 are covered by interior panels etc. on the interior side of the vehicle body 10 and therefore cannot be seen from the interior side.

[0023] <Laminated Glass 110> The laminated glass 110 has a first glass plate 111, a second glass plate 112, an intermediate film 113, and a shielding layer 114. The laminated glass 110 is formed by bonding the first glass plate 111 provided on the exterior side of the vehicle body 10 to the second glass plate 112 provided on the interior side of the vehicle body 10 via the intermediate film 113 disposed between the first glass plate 111 and the second glass plate 112. A light control panel 120 and an FPC 130 are provided in a portion between the first glass plate 111 and the second glass plate 112.

[0024] The total thickness of the laminated glass 110 is preferably 2.8 mm or more and 10 mm or less. The total thickness of the laminated glass 110 is the thickness of the laminated glass 110 between the first main surface 111A on the outdoor side of the first glass plate 111 and the fourth main surface 112B on the indoor side of the second glass plate 112. If the total thickness of the laminated glass 110 is 2.8 mm or more, sufficient rigidity can be ensured. Furthermore, if the total thickness of the laminated glass 110 is 10 mm or less, sufficient transmittance can be ensured without the mass becoming too large. Note that the total thickness here and the thickness described below refer to the length in the Z direction.

[0025] <First Glass Pane 111 and Second Glass Pane 112> The first glass pane 111 and the second glass pane 112 are transparent, flat glass panes. The first glass pane 111 has a first main surface 111A on the outdoor side, a second main surface 111B on the indoor side, and a first side surface 111C. The first side surface 111C is an end surface connecting the first main surface 111A and the second main surface 111B. The second glass pane 112 has a third main surface 112A on the outdoor side, a fourth main surface 112B on the indoor side, and a second side surface 112C. The second side surface 112C is an end surface connecting the third main surface 112A and the fourth main surface 112B. The first glass pane 111 and the second glass pane 112 may be flat or curved in one or more arbitrary directions.

[0026] The first glass plate 111 and the second glass plate 112 may be inorganic glass or organic glass. Examples of inorganic glass that can be used include, without particular limitation, soda-lime glass, aluminosilicate glass, borosilicate glass, alkali-free glass, and quartz glass. From the viewpoint of scratch resistance, the first glass plate 111 is preferably inorganic glass. Furthermore, from the viewpoints of manufacturing cost and formability, the first glass plate 111 and the second glass plate 112 are particularly preferably soda-lime glass. When the first glass plate 111 and the second glass plate 112 are soda-lime glass, clear glass, green glass and UV-cut green glass containing a predetermined amount or more of iron, privacy glass, and the like can be used.

[0027] When the first glass sheet 111 and the second glass sheet 112 are inorganic glass, the first glass sheet 111 and the second glass sheet 112 may be either untempered glass or tempered glass. Untempered glass is produced by forming molten glass into a plate shape and slowly cooling it. Tempered glass is produced by forming a compressive stress layer on the surface of untempered glass, and may be either air-cooled tempered glass or chemically tempered glass.

[0028] If the tempered glass is physically tempered glass (e.g., air-cooled tempered glass), the glass surface may be tempered by a process other than slow cooling, such as rapidly cooling a uniformly heated glass sheet from a temperature near its softening point during bending, thereby generating a compressive stress layer on the glass surface due to a temperature difference between the glass surface and the interior of the glass. If the tempered glass is chemically tempered glass, the glass surface may be tempered by generating compressive stress on the glass surface using an ion exchange method or the like after bending. Furthermore, glass sheets that absorb ultraviolet or infrared light may be used as the first glass sheet 111 and the second glass sheet 112. The first glass sheet 111 and the second glass sheet 112 are preferably transparent, but may also be colored to the extent that transparency is not impaired.

[0029] On the other hand, examples of materials for organic glass include transparent resins such as polycarbonate, acrylic resins such as polymethyl methacrylate, polyvinyl chloride, and polystyrene.

[0030] The laminated glass 110 may have a curved shape such that the exterior side is convex when attached to the vehicle body 10. The laminated glass 110 may have a single-curve shape bent in only one direction, or a compound-curve shape bent in two directions. The two directions are, for example, the up-down direction when the laminated glass 110 is attached to the vehicle body 10 and the left-right direction perpendicular to the up-down direction. The bending of the laminated glass 110 can be performed using gravity forming, press forming, roller forming, or the like. When the laminated glass 110 is bent to a predetermined curvature, the radius of curvature of the laminated glass 110 may be 1,000 mm or more and 100,000 mm or less.

[0031] Furthermore, when the laminated glass 110 is attached to the vehicle body 10, the thickness of the first glass sheet 111 located on the exterior side and the thickness of the second glass sheet 112 located on the interior side may be the same or different. The thickness of the first glass sheet 111 is preferably 1.0 mm or more and 3.6 mm or less. A thickness of 1.0 mm or more of the first glass sheet 111 provides sufficient strength, such as resistance to stone chips, while a thickness of 3.6 mm or less prevents the laminated glass 110 from becoming too heavy, which is preferable in terms of fuel efficiency. The thickness of the second glass sheet 112 is preferably 0.3 mm or more and 2.7 mm or less. A thickness of 0.3 mm or more of the second glass sheet 112 improves the handleability of the second glass sheet 112, while a thickness of 2.7 mm or less prevents the laminated glass 110 from becoming too heavy. The thicknesses of the first glass sheet 111 and the second glass sheet 112 are preferably 1.8 mm or less, which allows the laminated glass 110 to achieve both lightweight and sound insulation, and is therefore preferable. If the thickness of the second glass plate 112 is 1.0 mm or less, the second glass plate 112 may be chemically strengthened glass. If the second glass plate 112 is chemically strengthened glass, it is preferable that the compressive stress value of the glass surface is 300 MPa or more and the depth of the compressive stress layer is 2 μm or more. It is preferable that the thickness here refers to the thickness of the thinnest part of the first glass plate 111 and the second glass plate 112.

[0032] The first glass plate 111 preferably has sufficient impact resistance for use in a vehicle. The impact resistance here can be evaluated, for example, using the impact resistance test in UN R43. The impact resistance test is a test to determine whether a safety glass, such as laminated glass for automobiles, has the necessary adhesiveness or strength to withstand the impact of a small, hard flying object. Specifically, the test is performed by maintaining the laminated glass (safety glass) at a predetermined temperature, placing the first main surface 111A of the first glass plate 111 on a support frame, and then gravity-dropping a steel ball from a predetermined height onto the laminated glass.

[0033] At least one of the first main surface 111A of the first glass plate 111 and the fourth main surface 112B of the second glass plate 112 may be provided with a coating that has water-repellent properties and UV- and infrared-blocking properties, a coating that has low reflectivity, low radiation properties, antifouling properties, or a coating that has anti-condensation properties. At least one of the second main surface 111B of the first glass plate 111 and the third main surface 112A of the second glass plate 112 may be provided with a coating that blocks UV and infrared rays, has low radiation properties, absorbs visible light, or is colored. A low-radiation coating may be formed on the fourth main surface 112B of the second glass plate 112.

[0034] That is, at least one of the first glass plate 111 and the second glass plate 112 may have one or more of a water-repellent layer, an ultraviolet blocking layer, an infrared reflective layer, a low reflectance layer, a low emissivity layer, a condensation prevention layer, a visible light absorbing layer, and a colored layer.

[0035] <Intermediate film 113> The intermediate film 113 is provided between the first glass plate 111 and the second glass plate 112. The intermediate film 113 preferably surrounds the side surface of the dimming panel 120. The side surface of the dimming panel 120 is an end surface connecting the surface on the +Z direction side and the surface on the −Z direction side of the dimming panel 120. Note that a first end 132A of the wiring 132 of the FPC 130 is connected to the end on the +Y direction side of the dimming panel 120. Therefore, the intermediate film 113 surrounds not only the side surface of the dimming panel 120 but also the joint between the dimming panel 120 and the first end 132A and the portion of the FPC 130 located between the first glass plate 111 and the second glass plate 112.

[0036] The interlayer film 113 includes a first interlayer film 113A bonded to the first glass plate 111, a second interlayer film 113B bonded to the second glass plate 112, and a frame-shaped third interlayer film 113C positioned between the first interlayer film 113A and the second interlayer film 113B and surrounding the side surface of the dimming panel 120. In this example, the third interlayer film 113C surrounds the side surface of the dimming panel 120, but the third interlayer film 113C does not have to be provided. Even if the third interlayer film 113C is not provided, as long as the side surface of the dimming panel 120 is positioned more inward than the first side surface 111C of the first glass plate 111 or the second side surface 112C of the second glass plate 112 in a planar view, at least one of the first interlayer film 113A and the second interlayer film 113B will deform during pressure bonding in the manufacturing process of the laminated glass 110, thereby surrounding the side surface of the dimming panel 120. If the thickness of the dimming panel 120 is large, the difference in thickness between the area where the dimming panel 120 is present and the area outside the dimming panel 120 will be large when viewed in a plane, so it is preferable to provide a third intermediate film 113C to fill the difference in thickness.

[0037] As an example, a configuration will be described in which the first intermediate film 113A, the second intermediate film 113B, and the third intermediate film 113C are separate bodies that are joined together during the manufacture of the laminated glass 110. However, the configuration is not limited to this, and the intermediate film 113 may be integral, for example, in cases where a highly fluid material is poured between the first glass plate 111 and the second glass plate 112 to form the intermediate film 113.

[0038] Thermoplastic resins are often used for the intermediate film 113, and examples thereof include thermoplastic resins that have conventionally been used for this type of application, such as plasticized polyvinyl acetal resins, plasticized polyvinyl chloride resins, saturated polyester resins, plasticized saturated polyester resins, polyurethane resins, plasticized polyurethane resins, ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer resins, ethylene-ethyl acrylate copolymer resins, cycloolefin polymer resins, and ionomer resins. In addition, a resin composition containing a modified hydrogenated block copolymer, as described in Japanese Patent No. 6065221, can also be suitably used.

[0039] Among these, plasticized polyvinyl acetal resins are preferably used as the material for the interlayer film 113 because they have an excellent balance of properties such as transparency, weather resistance, strength, adhesive strength, penetration resistance, impact energy absorption, moisture resistance, heat insulation, and sound insulation. These thermoplastic resins may be used alone or in combination of two or more. The term "plasticized" in the plasticized polyvinyl acetal resin means that the resin has been plasticized by adding a plasticizer. The same applies to other plasticized resins.

[0040] However, when the light control panel 120 is enclosed in the interlayer 113, deterioration may occur due to a specific plasticizer depending on the type of enclosed material, and in such a case, it is preferable to use a resin that does not substantially contain that plasticizer. In other words, it may be preferable that the interlayer 113 does not contain a plasticizer. Examples of resins that do not contain plasticizers include ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer resins.

[0041] Examples of the polyvinyl acetal resin include polyvinyl formal resin obtained by reacting polyvinyl alcohol (hereinafter also referred to as PVA) with formaldehyde, polyvinyl acetal resin in the narrow sense obtained by reacting PVA with acetaldehyde, and polyvinyl butyral resin (hereinafter also referred to as PVB) obtained by reacting PVA with n-butylaldehyde. PVB is particularly preferred because of its excellent balance of properties such as transparency, weather resistance, strength, adhesive strength, penetration resistance, impact energy absorbency, moisture resistance, heat insulation, and sound insulation. These polyvinyl acetal resins may be used alone or in combination of two or more types.

[0042] The intermediate film 113 may be a curable transparent resin also known as Optical Clear Resin (OCR) or a transparent adhesive sheet also known as Optical Clear Adhesive (OCA). The use of a curable transparent resin or a transparent adhesive sheet makes it possible to produce a laminate (laminated glass) at room temperature, which is more desirable. Resins such as acrylic, silicone, urethane acrylate, and epoxy are used as the curable transparent resin or transparent adhesive sheet. These curable transparent resins and transparent adhesive sheets may be used alone or in combination of two or more types.

[0043] The material forming the intermediate film 113 is not limited to a thermoplastic resin. The intermediate film 113 may also contain functional particles such as an infrared absorbing agent, an ultraviolet absorbing agent, or a luminescent agent. The intermediate film 113 may also have a colored portion called a shade band.

[0044] The thickness of the interlayer film 113 is preferably 0.3 mm or more at its thinnest part. If the thickness of the interlayer film 113 at its thinnest part is 0.3 mm or more, the impact resistance required for the laminated glass 110 will be sufficient. The thickness of the interlayer film 113 is preferably 3 mm or less at its thickest part. If the maximum thickness of the interlayer film 113 is 3 mm or less, the mass of the laminated glass 110 will not become too large. The maximum thickness of the interlayer film 113 is more preferably 2.8 mm or less, and even more preferably 2.6 mm or less.

[0045] The thickness of the intermediate film 113 refers to the thickness of only the intermediate film 113 excluding the thickness of the dimming panel 120. Therefore, the thickness of the intermediate film 113 refers to the length obtained by subtracting the thickness of the dimming panel 120 from the thickness from the interface (second main surface 111B) of the first intermediate film 113A with the first glass plate 111 to the interface (third main surface 112A) of the second intermediate film 113B with the second glass plate 112.

[0046] The thickest part of the intermediate film 113 is, for example, a part that does not sandwich the dimming panel 120 (a part that does not overlap with the dimming panel 120 in a plan view). The thinnest part of the intermediate film 113 is, for example, a part that sandwiches the dimming panel 120 (a part that overlaps with the dimming panel 120 in a plan view).

[0047] Furthermore, it is desirable that the first intermediate film 113A, the second intermediate film 113B, and the third intermediate film 113C included in the intermediate film 113 are all formed of the same material, but some or all of the first intermediate film 113A, the second intermediate film 113B, and the third intermediate film 113C may be formed of different materials. For example, the first intermediate film 113A and the second intermediate film 113B may be formed of the same material, and the third intermediate film 113C may be formed of a different material.

[0048] To produce the interlayer film 113, for example, the above-mentioned resin material to be used for the interlayer film is appropriately selected and extruded in a heated, molten state using an extruder. The extrusion conditions, such as the extrusion speed of the extruder, are set to be uniform. The resin film produced by extrusion molding is then stretched as necessary to give it a curvature that matches the design of the laminated glass 110, thereby completing the interlayer film 113.

[0049] <Shielding Layer 114> The shielding layer 114 is an opaque layer. The shielding layer 114 is, for example, an opaque colored (e.g., black) ceramic layer. The shielding layer 114 may be a colored interlayer or colored film with light-blocking properties, or a combination of a colored interlayer and a colored ceramic layer. The colored film may be integrated with an infrared reflective film or the like. Here, "opaque" means that the visible light transmittance is 5% or less, preferably 3% or less, more preferably 1% or less, and may even be substantially 0%. The shielding layer 114 prevents ultraviolet degradation of resins such as urethane that hold the laminated glass 110 to the vehicle body 10.

[0050] The shielding layer 114 can be formed, for example, by applying a ceramic color paste containing a fusible glass frit containing a black pigment onto a glass plate by screen printing or the like, followed by firing, but is not limited to this. The shielding layer 114 may also be formed, for example, by applying an organic ink containing a black or dark color pigment onto a glass plate by screen printing or the like, followed by drying.

[0051] As an example, the shielding layer 114 is provided in a strip shape along the outer edge of the laminated glass 110. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 1 , the shielding layer 114 is provided in a strip shape inside a frame 160 that covers the outer edge of the laminated glass 110 in a plan view. In FIG. 1 , the frame 160 is indicated by dark dots, and the portion of the shielding layer 114 that is inside the inner edge of the frame 160 is indicated by light dots. The portion of the shielding layer 114 indicated by light dots is the portion that is visible from the outside of the vehicle when the vehicle window glass 100 is attached to the opening 11. As an example, since the laminated glass 110 has a triangular shape in a plan view, the frame 160 has a triangular ring shape in a plan view, and the shielding layer 114 also has a triangular ring shape.

[0052] 2A , for example, the shielding layer 114 is formed on the fourth main surface 112B of the second glass plate 112 so as to straddle the inner edges 161A and 161B of the frame body 160 in a planar view. That is, the shielding layer 114 has a portion that overlaps with the frame body 160 in a planar view and a portion that is located inside the inner edges 161A and 161B of the frame body 160 in a planar view and does not overlap with the frame body 160. In addition, the shielding layer 114 partially overlaps with the light control panel 120 in a planar view.

[0053] The width of the shielding layer 114 may be sufficient as long as it is wide enough to conceal the wire harness 20, the connector 21, the connector 142, the cable 140, the holding member 150, etc. The width of the shielding layer 114 is the width in the Y direction in Fig. 2A and the width of the triangular ring-shaped band-shaped portion in Fig. 1. In other words, the width of the shielding layer 114 is the width in the direction perpendicular to the inner edge of the triangular ring-shaped shielding layer 114 in a plan view.

[0054] The shielding layer 114 is not limited to being formed on the fourth main surface 112B, and may be formed on the second main surface 111B of the first glass plate 111 or the third main surface 112A of the second glass plate 112. The shielding layer 114 may be formed by a combination of the second main surface 111B and the fourth main surface 112B, the second main surface 111B and the third main surface 112A, or the third main surface 112A and the fourth main surface 112B. The shielding layer 114 may be provided on the surface of the first intermediate film 113A or the second intermediate film 113B, or may be embedded inside the first intermediate film 113A or the second intermediate film 113B.

[0055] The light control panel 120 is an example of a thin electrical component and a functional film. The thinness means that the light control panel 120 has a thickness thin enough to be disposed between the first glass plate 111 and the second glass plate 112 of the laminated glass 110.

[0056] As shown in FIG. 1 , for example, the dimming panel 120 has a triangular shape in a plan view and is arranged so as to fit inside three sides of the outer edge of the triangular laminated glass 110 in a plan view. Here, a form in which the dimming panel 120 has a triangular shape in a plan view will be described, but the shape of the dimming panel 120 in a plan view is not limited to a triangular shape. The dimming panel 120 may have a rectangular shape or any other shape that matches the shape of the laminated glass 110 in a plan view. Furthermore, the dimming panel 120 may have any shape that fits within the outer edge of the laminated glass 110, without matching the shape of the laminated glass 110 in a plan view.

[0057] The dimming panel 120 is, for example, a component whose transmittance changes depending on the power supplied via the FPC 130. Here, as an example, a form will be described in which the transmittance of the dimming panel 120 changes between two stages, a high state and a low state, depending on whether or not power is supplied via the two wirings 132 of the FPC 130. When power is supplied via the wirings 132 of the FPC 130, the dimming panel 120 is turned on and enters a high transmittance state, and when the power supply is cut off, the dimming panel 120 is turned off and enters a low transmittance state. Switching between supplying power and not supplying power via the two wirings 132 plays the role of a control signal that switches the dimming panel 120 on and off.

[0058] However, the dimming panel 120 may be a panel whose transmittance changes depending on the duty ratio of a PWM (Pulse Width Modulation) pulse signal, and may be, for example, a resin or glass panel to which a dimming device whose transmittance changes depending on the duty ratio of a PWM pulse signal is attached. Other dimming devices that can be used include suspended particle devices (SPDs), polymer dispersed liquid crystals (PDLCs), polymer network liquid crystals (PNLCs), guest-host liquid crystals, photochromic devices, electrochromic devices, and electrokinetic devices.

[0059] When the transmittance of the dimming panel 120 changes in two stages, the dimming panel 120 is transparent when the transmittance is high, and changes to an opaque state such as gray when the transmittance is low, and is in a state where it does not transmit much light. Furthermore, when the dimming panel 120 is driven by a PWM pulse signal, the transmittance can be controlled in multiple stages between the transparent state and the opaque state, and as an example, the transmittance of the dimming panel 120 is minimum when the duty ratio of the PWM pulse signal is 0%.

[0060] The light control panel 120 is provided in a region that blocks the opening 11, of the entire region of the laminated glass 110 in a plan view. This is because the light control panel 120 is arranged in a position that is visible from the exterior and interior sides of the vehicle body 10. When the laminated glass 110 is provided so as to be slidable relative to the vehicle body 10, the light control panel 120 only needs to be provided in a region, of the entire region of the laminated glass 110, that blocks the opening when the laminated glass 110 is completely closed relative to the vehicle body 10. This is because the light control panel 120 is arranged in a position that is visible from the exterior and interior sides of the vehicle body 10 when the laminated glass 110 is completely closed relative to the vehicle body 10.

[0061] Furthermore, as described above, the thin electrical component is not limited to the light control panel 120, but may be a functional film other than the light control panel 120, or a heating wire or conductive film for heating.

[0062] The functional film is a component that imparts additional functions to the laminated glass 110. Examples of functional films other than the light control panel 120 include light-emitting display films and solar cell films. The light-emitting display film is a film-like display device in which pixels composed of light-emitting elements are arranged, and images can be displayed by passing electricity through the light-emitting elements of each pixel. The light-emitting elements include organic EL (electroluminescence) elements and inorganic EL elements. The solar cell film is a film in which photoelectric conversion elements that convert light energy into electricity are formed.

[0063] Furthermore, examples of heating wires include a heating wire that functions as a defogger to remove fogging (water droplets) from the surface of the vehicle window glass 100, and a heating wire that functions as a de-icer to efficiently melt ice or snow that has adhered to the outer surface of the vehicle window glass 100. These heating wires are, for example, made of tungsten wire. The pitch between the heating wires in the X direction is, for example, approximately 2 mm. When the heating wire functions as a de-icer, the value of the current passed through the heating wire may be set higher (for example, approximately twice as high) than when the heating wire functions as a defogger. Therefore, the heating wire that functions as a de-icer is thicker than the heating wire that functions as a defogger. For example, the heating wire that functions as a defogger is a plurality of heating wires extending horizontally, and is, for example, arranged at equal intervals. For example, the heating wire that functions as a de-icer is a plurality of heating wires extending vertically (up and down), which is perpendicular to the horizontal direction, and is, for example, arranged at equal intervals.

[0064] Furthermore, examples of the conductive film for heating include a transparent conductive film that functions as a defogger or deicer. Such a transparent conductive film can be used instead of the above-mentioned heating wire. Examples of the transparent conductive film include a metal film such as an Ag film, a metal oxide film such as an ITO (indium tin oxide) film, or a resin film containing conductive particles. The transparent conductive film may be a laminate of multiple types of films.

[0065] Furthermore, when a heating wire or a heating conductive film is provided as a thin electrical component between the first glass plate 111 and the second glass plate 112, an anti-fogging film may be provided on the fourth main surface 112B of the second glass plate 112. The anti-fogging film is, for example, a film that contains a water-absorbent polymer or a hydrophilic polymer and has high water absorption properties.

[0066] When the thin electrical component is a functional film, a heating wire, or a conductive film, it becomes possible to provide a vehicle window glass 100 including various types of thin electrical components. Furthermore, in the vehicle window glass 100 including various types of thin electrical components, the structure of the holding member 150 and the frame body 160, which will be described later, can simplify the configuration.

[0067] <FPC 130> The FPC 130 is provided to transmit power, control signals, etc. to the thin electrical component. Here, a configuration in which the vehicle window glass 100 includes the FPC 130 will be described, but instead of the FPC 130, a cable or the like in which wiring (conductive wire) is provided with an insulating coating may be used.

[0068] As an example, as shown in FIG. 1, the FPC 130 is provided on one of three sides of the outer edges of the laminated glass 110 and the light control panel 120 which are triangular in plan view.

[0069] 2, the FPC 130 has a substrate 131, wiring 132, and a coverlay 133. Two wirings 132 are formed on one surface of the substrate 131 and are covered by the coverlay 133. The substrate 131 and the coverlay 133 are fixed to each other by laminating them with the wiring 132 sandwiched therebetween or by bonding them with an adhesive.

[0070] The substrate 131 and the coverlay 133 are made of, for example, a flexible resin film such as polyimide, and the wiring 132 is, for example, wiring formed by patterning copper foil or the like.

[0071] Each wiring 132 has a first end 132A and a second end 132B. The wiring 132 is covered between the first end 132A and the second end 132B by the substrate 131 and the coverlay 133. The first end 132A and the second end 132B are portions of the wiring 132 exposed on the substrate 131 after the coverlay 133 has been removed.

[0072] A portion of the FPC 130 on the first end 132A side is sandwiched between the second intermediate film 113B and the third intermediate film 113C between the first glass plate 111 and the second glass plate 112 at the end on the +Y direction side of the laminated glass 110. The first end 132A is connected to a terminal (not shown) at the end on the +Y direction side of the dimming panel 120. As an example, the FPC 130 and the dimming panel 120 have an overlapping portion between the first glass plate 111 and the second glass plate 112, but there may be no overlapping portion.

[0073] The FPC 130 is bent twice along the second side surface 112C from the portion on the first end 132A side to the second end 132B in the -Y direction of the second glass plate 112, and extends along the third main surface 112A, the second side surface 112C, and the fourth main surface 112B.

[0074] A portion of the FPC 130 extending along the fourth main surface 112B is attached to the fourth main surface 112B by, for example, double-sided tape 134. A portion of the FPC 130 on the second end 132B side is located at the end on the −Y direction side of the portion of the FPC 130 extending along the fourth main surface 112B. Therefore, for example, the portion of the FPC 130 on the second end 132B side is attached to the fourth main surface 112B of the second glass plate 112 by double-sided tape 134. In other words, the second end 132B is provided on the fourth main surface 112B via the substrate 131 and the double-sided tape 134.

[0075] In this manner, the FPC 130 extends along the third main surface 112A, the second side surface 112C, and the fourth main surface 112B between the first end 132A and the second end 132B.

[0076] A terminal 141 provided at one end of the cable 140 is connected to the second end 132B by solder 135. Note that the method of connecting the terminal 141 to the second end 132B is not limited to solder 135, and it may be connected by welding, adhesion with a conductive adhesive, or welding.

[0077] 2B shows two cables 140. As an example, two wires 132 are provided on the FPC 130 corresponding to the two cables 140. The two wires 132 are connected to a positive terminal and a negative terminal of the dimming panel 120.

[0078] The number of wires 132 may be set appropriately depending on the number of terminals of the thin electrical component, and the FPC 130 may have wires 132 for transmitting control signals and the like in addition to the wires 132 for transmitting power. The shape of the FPC 130 in a plan view may be any shape.

[0079] The double-sided tape 134 may be, for example, any double-sided tape capable of adhering the FPC 130 to the fourth main surface 112B of the second glass plate 112. Alternatively, an adhesive layer or the like may be used instead of the double-sided tape 134. As the solder 135, for example, a lead-free solder such as silver-tin solder or silver-tin-copper solder may be used.

[0080] The FPC 130, which has a structure in which the wiring 132 provided on the substrate 131 is covered with the coverlay 133, is very thin and highly flexible. Therefore, it is very easy to route the wiring 132 from the end on the +Y direction side of the light control panel 120 provided between the first glass plate 111 and the second glass plate 112, along the second side surface 112C and the fourth main surface 112B, and connect it to the terminal 141 of the cable 140. Furthermore, the ease of routing leads to improved electrical reliability of the wiring 132, because breakage or damage to the wiring 132 is less likely to occur. Using the FPC 130 makes it possible to easily route the wiring 132 and improve its electrical reliability.

[0081] <Cable 140> As an example, two cables 140 are provided corresponding to the two wirings 132 of the FPC 130. The two cables 140 are connected to the positive and negative terminals of the dimming panel 120 via the two wirings 132 of the FPC 130, respectively.

[0082] Each cable 140 has a terminal 141 and a connector 142. The terminal 141 is an example of one end of the cable 140, and the connector 142 is an example of the other end of the cable 140. The terminal 141 is connected to the end of the cable 140 on the +Y direction side, and the connector 142 is connected to the end of the cable 140 on the −Y direction side.

[0083] The terminal 141 may be any terminal that can be connected to the second end 132B of the wiring 132 of the FPC 130, and the connector 142 may be any connector that can be connected to the connector 21 of the wire harness 20 on the vehicle body 10. The terminal 141 and the connector 142 are fixed to one end and the other end of the cable 140, for example, by crimping or by connecting with solder, a conductive adhesive, or the like.

[0084] The two cables 140 are held by a holding member 150 between the terminal 141 and the connector 142. As shown in FIG. 2B , each cable 140 is held by the holding member 150 in a state where it is passed through a through-hole 151A that passes through the holding member 150 in the Y direction.

[0085] As an example, a configuration will be described in which the end of the shielding layer 114 on the +Y direction side does not overlap with the end of the FPC 130 on the −Y direction side, as shown in FIG. 2A, but there may be an overlapping portion.

[0086] <Holding member 150> The holding member 150 will be described using Fig. 2C in addition to Fig. 1, Fig. 2A and Fig. 2B. Fig. 2C is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of the holding member 150. Fig. 2C shows the same XYZ coordinates as Fig. 2A and Fig. 2B.

[0087] As an example, as shown in Figure 1, the holding member 150 is provided on one of the three sides of the outer edge of the triangular laminated glass 110 and the dimming panel 120 in a planar view, and is located inside the laminated glass 110 and the dimming panel 120 relative to the FPC 130 in a planar view.

[0088] As an example, the holding member 150 is provided on the surface on the −Z direction side of the shielding layer 114, adjacent to the −Y direction side of the −Y direction end of the FPC 130. Therefore, when the vehicle window glass 100 is viewed from the outside (+Z direction side), the holding member 150 is hidden by the shielding layer 114.

[0089] Furthermore, a portion of the holding member 150 on the +Y direction side (portions of lengths Y1B and Y1C in FIG. 2C ) is covered by the frame body 160. The holding member 150 and the shielding layer 114 may be fixed together with double-sided tape, adhesive, or the like, but since the holding member 150 is held by the frame body 160, it is not necessary to fix the holding member 150 and the shielding layer 114 together. It is preferable that the holding member 150 be covered while in contact with the frame body 160.

[0090] The holding member 150 can be formed of, for example, an elastic resin such as silicone rubber or EPDM (ethylene propylene diene rubber). The holding member 150 has a through hole 151A through which the cable 140 passes, and it is desirable for the holding member 150 to have a sealing property that can seal the gap between the through hole 151A and the cable 140, so it is preferable to select a material from this perspective. The reason why it is desirable for the holding member 150 to have a sealing property is to prevent moisture and the like from penetrating from the outside to the inside of the frame 160 through the through hole 151A. Furthermore, a sealing material or the like may be applied between the through hole 151A and the cable 140.

[0091] The holding member 150 has a base 151 and a protrusion 152. The base 151 is, for example, a rectangular parallelepiped portion provided on the surface of the shielding layer 114 on the −Z direction side. The protrusion 152 is the portion of the holding member 150 other than the base 151.

[0092] The base 151 is a rectangular parallelepiped portion of the holding member 150 shown in FIG. 2C , having a width of X1 in the X direction, a length of Y1 in the Y direction, and a height of Z1 in the Z direction. As shown in FIG. 2C , the base 151 will be described divided into three portions in the Y direction (a portion with length Y1A, a portion with length Y1B, and a portion with length Y1C). The portion with length Y1A, the portion with length Y1B, and the portion with length Y1C are located in this order from the negative Y direction side to the positive Y direction side. Hereinafter, the portion with length Y1A, the portion with length Y1B, and the portion with length Y1C may be referred to as portion Y1A, portion Y1B, and portion Y1C.

[0093] The base 151 has an end portion (portion Y1A) on the -Y direction side exposed to the outside of the frame 160, and protrusions 152 are provided on the +X direction side, the -Z direction side, and the +X direction side of the end portion (portion Y1C) on the +Y direction side. A portion (portion Y1B) between the end portion (portion Y1A) on the -Y direction side of the base 151 exposed to the outside of the frame 160 and the end portion (portion Y1C) on the +Y direction side on which the protrusion 152 is provided is directly covered by the frame 160. Furthermore, the end portion (portion Y1C) on the +Y direction side on which the protrusion 152 is provided is indirectly covered by the frame 160 via the protrusion 152. In other words, the remaining portions (portions Y1B and Y1C) of the base 151 excluding the end portion (portion Y1A) on the -Y direction side exposed to the outside of the frame 160 are directly or indirectly covered by the frame 160.

[0094] Of the base 151, the portion Y1B that is directly covered by the frame body 160 is a position that a mold directly contacts when manufacturing the frame body 160 by injection molding. Because the mold straddles the portion Y1B in the XZ plane view, the portion Y1B can be used as an index for positioning the mold.

[0095] 2B and 2C, the base 151 has two through holes 151A. The through holes 151A penetrate the base 151 in the Y direction. Two cables 140 are passed through the two through holes 151A. As shown in FIG. 2B, the width of the base 151 in the X direction is wide enough to accommodate the two through holes 151A formed corresponding to the two cables 140.

[0096] 2C , the protrusion 152 protrudes from the end (portion Y1C) on the +Y direction side of the base 151 by a width X2 in the +X direction, a height Z2 in the −Z direction, and a width X2 in the −X direction. The protrusion 152 protrudes from the end (portion Y1C) on the +Y direction side of the base 151 in the XY plane view and the XZ plane view so as to straddle the +X direction side, the −Z direction side, and the −X direction side of the base 151. In other words, the protrusion 152 protrudes from the base 151 at a position on the +Y direction side end (portion Y1C) side of the surface of the portion (portions Y1B and Y1C) of the base 151 covered by the frame 160.

[0097] The convex portion 152 may protrude from at least one of the +X direction side, the −Z direction side, and the −X direction side at a position on the end portion (portion Y1C) side on the +Y direction side of the surface of the portion (portions Y1B and Y1C) of the base 151 that is covered by the frame body 160. The convex portion 152 may also protrude in the +Y direction from an end face of the base 151 that is parallel to the XZ plane on the +Y direction side.

[0098] Here, the frame 160 has an inner edge 161A on the +Z direction side of the laminated glass 110 and an inner edge 161B on the −Z direction side of the laminated glass 110. In Fig. 2A, as an example, the inner edges 161A and 161B are positioned at the same position in the Y direction, but the positions of the inner edges 161A and 161B may be different. For example, the inner edge 161A may be positioned more inward than the inner edge 161B in a plan view.

[0099] Furthermore, frame 160 has inner edge 161A1 of a portion on the +Z direction side of laminated glass 110 and inner edge 161B1 of a portion on the −Z direction side of laminated glass 110. Inner edge 161A1 is an end portion of frame 160 located on the inner edge 161A side of the portion on the +Z direction side of laminated glass 110, and inner edge 161B1 is an end portion of frame 160 located on the inner edge 161B side of the portion on the −Z direction side of laminated glass 110.

[0100] In a plan view, the holding member 150 is located at an inner edge 161B1 of the frame body 160. Portions Y1B and Y1C of the base 151 of the holding member 150 and the protrusion 152 are covered by the inner edge 161B1 of the frame body 160. Since the holding member 150 is located at the inner edge 161B1 of the frame body 160 in a plan view, the cable 140 can be stably held at the boundary between the inside and outside of the frame body 160.

[0101] An inner edge 161B of the frame 160 is located between the end of the holding member 150 on the −Y direction side and the end on the +Y direction side in the Y direction, and the protrusion 152 is provided at a position shifted toward the +Y direction side from the inner edge 161B. The −Y direction side of the holding member 150 is the side on which the connector 142 is located relative to the holding member 150. The +Y direction side of the holding member 150 is the side on which the terminal 141 is located relative to the holding member 150.

[0102] In such a holding member 150, at the inner edge 161B1 of the frame body 160, the base 151 on the inner edge 161B side is smaller than the convex portion 152 in the XY plane and XZ plane views, so even if the end of the base 151 on the -Y direction side is exposed to the outside of the frame body 160, the holding member 150 can be prevented from slipping out of the frame body 160. This is because the convex portion 152 gets caught on the frame body 160. Since the holding member 150 has the convex portion 152 that protrudes from the base 151, the holding member 150 can be prevented from slipping out of the frame body 160, and the holding member 150 can be stably fixed to the frame body 160.

[0103] Furthermore, the base 151 has a through hole 151A through which the cable 140 is passed, so that the cable 140 can be stably held by the holding member 150 fixed by the frame 160.

[0104] Furthermore, even if the convex portion 152 protrudes from the end portion (part Y1C) on the +Y direction side of the base 151 toward at least one of the +X direction side, the -Z direction side, and the -X direction side, the convex portion 152 catches on the frame body 160, thereby preventing the holding member 150 from slipping out of the frame body 160.

[0105] Furthermore, the holding member 150 does not need to be provided with the protrusion 152 and may be configured without the protrusion 152 if there is no risk of the holding member 150 slipping out of the frame body 160 .

[0106] Note that, although a configuration in which the retaining member 150 is provided on the surface on the −Z direction side of the shielding layer 114 will be described here as an example, the retaining member 150 may be provided on the fourth main surface 112B. For example, if an inner edge 161A of a portion of the frame 160 on the +Z direction side of the laminated glass 110 is located more inward in plan view (the −Y direction side in FIG. 2A ) than an inner edge 161B of a portion of the laminated glass 110 on the −Z direction side, so that when the vehicle window glass 100 is viewed from the outside, the retaining member 150 is hidden in plan view by the inner edge portion 161A1 on the +Z direction side of the laminated glass 110, the retaining member 150 may be provided on the fourth main surface 112B.

[0107] <Frame 160> The frame 160 is a triangular ring-shaped frame-like member formed along the triangular outer edge of the laminated glass 110. As shown in Fig. 1 , the frame 160 is provided continuously around the entire outer edge of the laminated glass 110, but it may also be formed only on a portion of the outer edge of the laminated glass 110 and be interrupted in the middle. The frame shape here includes a configuration with an interrupted section in the middle.

[0108] The frame 160 covers the outer edges and peripheral portions of the first and second glass plates 111 and 112, the FPC 130, the portion of the cable 140 on the +Y direction side of the holding member 150 (including the terminal 141), and portions Y1B and Y1C of the holding member 150, and is sealed while enclosing these. The outer edges of the first and second glass plates 111 and 112 are the first side surface 111C and the second side surface 112C. The peripheral portion of the outer edge of the first glass plate 111 is the portion of the first main surface 111A close to the first side surface 111C, and the peripheral portion of the outer edge of the second glass plate 112 is the portion of the fourth main surface 112B close to the second side surface 112C.

[0109] Therefore, the frame body 160 is arranged in contact with the portions of the first main surface 111A and the fourth main surface 112B of the laminated glass 110 that are close to the first side surface 111C and the second side surface 112C, and with the first side surface 111C and the second side surface 112C.

[0110] The frame 160 is made of resin, for example. There are no particular limitations on the resin used for the frame 160 as long as it can form a product integrated with the laminated glass 110, but it is preferable that the resin be one that can be used in injection molding. Materials that can be used in injection molding are those that can be heated and melted and then solidified by a subsequent cooling process.

[0111] The frame body 160 and the vehicle window glass 100 including the frame body 160 are formed as follows. First, the light control panel 120 is sandwiched between the first glass plate 111 and the second glass plate 112 via the intermediate film 113, and the FPC 130 connected to the light control panel 120 is folded along the second side surface 112C and the fourth main surface 112B and attached to the fourth main surface 112B with double-sided tape 134. Next, the holding member 150 is placed on the surface of the shielding layer 114, and the terminal 141 of the cable 140 passed through the through hole 151A of the holding member 150 is connected to the second end 132B with solder 135. Then, in this state, the laminated glass 110 to which the light control panel 120, the FPC 130, the cable 140, and the holding member 150 are attached is placed in a mold and injection molded to form the frame body 160 and the vehicle window glass 100 including the frame body 160.

[0112] The resin used for the frame 160 may be a thermoplastic resin. The resin used for the frame 160 includes, for example, at least one of a thermoplastic elastomer (TPE) material, a polyvinyl chloride (PVC) material, an ethylene propylene diene rubber (EPDM), and a thermoplastic vulcanizate (TPV) material. The thermoplastic elastomer (TPE) material includes an olefin-based thermoplastic elastomer (TPO).

[0113] In this way, the frame body 160 covers the outer edge of the laminated glass 110 in a plan view and the FPC 130. The frame body 160 also covers the portions Y1B and Y1C of the holding member 150 that hold the cable 140. Therefore, the connection portion between the second end portion 132B of the FPC 130 and the terminal 141 of the cable 140 can be sealed by the frame body 160.

[0114] Here, as an approach different from that of the present disclosure, for example, a sealing structure may be considered in which a box-shaped member (hereinafter referred to as the box member) is prepared to seal the connection portion between second end 132B of FPC 130 and terminal 141 of cable 140, and second end 132B and terminal 141 are connected inside the box member and filled with silicone rubber to seal the connection portion. The box member has a configuration that can be placed on fourth main surface 112B or the surface of shielding layer 114, and it is sufficient that the box member has a size large enough to accommodate second end 132B and terminal 141.

[0115] In contrast to such a sealing structure, the vehicle window glass 100 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure uses a frame body 160 provided on the outer edge of the laminated glass 110 to seal the connection portion between the second end portion 132B and the terminal 141, thereby reducing the number of parts and simplifying the configuration.

[0116] Therefore, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, a vehicle window glass 100 having a simple configuration can be provided, which includes a frame body 160 that covers the outer edge of a laminated glass 110 having a thin electrical component (e.g., a dimming panel 120) provided between two glass plates (a first glass plate 111 and a second glass plate 112).

[0117] Furthermore, when filling the silicone rubber as described above, it is necessary to fix the box member to the laminated glass and then fill the silicone rubber in. In contrast, with the vehicle window glass 100 according to the embodiment of the present disclosure, the connection portion between the second end portion 132B and the terminal 141 can be sealed in the process of forming the frame body 160 by injection molding, which reduces the number of steps, simplifies the manufacturing process, and reduces costs.

[0118] Furthermore, the frame 160 is extremely strong because it covers the outer edge and its surrounding area of ​​the laminated glass 110. Because such a strong frame 160 can protect the connection portion between the second end 132B and the terminal 141, the connection portion between the second end 132B and the terminal 141 can be protected for a longer period of time compared to a case where only the connection portion between the second end 132B and the terminal 141 is sealed with silicone rubber. This also improves the electrical reliability of the connection portion between the second end 132B and the terminal 141.

[0119] Furthermore, when a box member and silicone rubber are used, space is required to place them, but when the connection portion between second end 132B and terminal 141 is covered with frame body 160, there is no need to provide a dedicated space for sealing, which allows for space saving.

[0120] The frame body 160 may be provided with a decorative member. The decorative member is an exterior member or an interior member primarily intended to decorate the vehicle window. The frame body 160 may also be provided with a control unit that electrically controls the light control panel 120. The control unit may be adhered to the surface of the frame body 160 or may be at least partially embedded therein.

[0121] <First Modification> Fig. 3A is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of a holding member 150M1 according to a first modification of the embodiment. Fig. 3A is a diagram showing the configuration corresponding to Fig. 2B in the XZ plane. Holding member 150M1 has a configuration in which through-hole 151A of base 151 of holding member 150 shown in Fig. 2B is replaced with groove portion 151MA.

[0122] Groove 151MA is a groove recessed in the −Z direction from the surface on the +Z direction side of base 151, and is formed from the end face on the −Y direction side to the end face on the +Y direction side of base 151. As an example, two grooves 151MA are formed, allowing two cables 140 to pass through.

[0123] The groove portion 151MA is formed on the surface of the base portion 151 on the +Z direction side that abuts against the shielding layer 114. The abutment of the base portion 151 against the shielding layer 114 means that the base portion 151 abuts against the fourth main surface 112B via the shielding layer 114.

[0124] It is preferable that the width in the X direction and the depth in the Z direction of the groove 151MA in the XZ plane view are set so that no gaps are formed when the cable 140 is passed through the groove 151MA. This is to prevent moisture and the like from penetrating from the outside to the inside of the frame 160 through the groove 151MA. A sealant or the like may be applied between the groove 151MA and the cable 140.

[0125] Such a holding member 150M1 may be used in place of the holding member 150 (see FIGS. 2A to 2C ) and covered with the frame body 160 in the same manner as the holding member 150, thereby sealing the connection portion between the second end 132B of the FPC 130 and the terminal 141 of the cable 140. The vehicle window glass of the first modified example including the holding member 150M1 has a simple configuration, similar to the vehicle window glass 100 of the embodiment.

[0126] Furthermore, the base 151 has a groove 151MA through which the cable 140 is passed, so that the cable 140 can be stably held by the holding member 150M1 fixed by the frame 160.

[0127] Furthermore, because the groove 151MA is provided on the surface of the base 151 on the +Z direction side that abuts against the shielding layer 114, when the frame 160 is formed, the cable 140 and the holding member 150M1 are firmly adhered to the laminated glass 110. This allows the holding member 150M1 to stably hold the cable 140 and also prevents moisture and the like from penetrating from the outside to the inside of the frame 160 through the groove 151MA.

[0128] <Second Modification> Fig. 3B is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of a vehicle window glass 100M2 according to a second modification of the embodiment. Fig. 3B is a diagram showing a configuration corresponding to Fig. 1, and shows an example of the vehicle window glass 100M2 as viewed from the interior side of the vehicle body 10 toward the exterior side. Fig. 3B omits the wire harness 20, as in Fig. 1.

[0129] The vehicle window glass 100M2 differs from the vehicle window glass 100 in that it includes a holding member 150M2 and a frame body 160M2 instead of the holding member 150 and the frame body 160 of the vehicle window glass 100 shown in FIG.

[0130] The holding member 150M2 is positioned differently from the holding member 150 (see FIG. 1) with respect to the FPC 130. The frame body 160M2 has a recess 163 in which inner edges 161A and 161B are recessed toward the outer edge 162, next to the portion where the FPC 130 is located in a plan view. The frame body 160M2 is not present in the portion of the recess 163, but a shielding layer 114 is provided, and the portion is hidden from the outside of the room.

[0131] The holding member 150M2 is provided next to the FPC 130 along one of the three sides of the outer edges of the triangular laminated glass 110 and the dimming panel 120 in a plan view. The holding member 150M2 guides the cable 140 in the extension direction of the side, and as shown in FIG. 3B , the cable 140 and the connector 142 are located inside the recess 163 in a plan view.

[0132] In this way, because the cable 140 and the connector 142 are located inside the recess 163 in a plan view, the cable 140 and the wire harness 20 can be arranged closer to the outer edge of the triangular vehicle window glass 100M2 in a plan view, thereby saving space. In other words, the area where the cable 140 and the wire harness 20 are located can be reduced toward the center of the laminated glass 110. Therefore, for example, it is possible to narrow the width of the shielding layer 114 and position the inner edge of the shielding layer 114 further outward.

[0133] <Third Modification> Figure 3C is a diagram showing an example of a cross-sectional configuration of a vehicle window glass 100M3 according to a third modification of the embodiment. Figure 3C is a diagram showing a configuration corresponding to Figure 2A in the YZ plane. The vehicle window glass 100M3 according to the third modification of the embodiment has a configuration in which the holding member 150 of the vehicle window glass 100 shown in Figure 2A is replaced with a holding member 150M3. The other configuration is the same as the configuration of the vehicle window glass 100 shown in Figure 2A.

[0134] The holding member 150M3 has a base 151 and a recess 153. The base 151 of the holding member 150M3 is similar to the base 151 of the holding member 150. The holding member 150M3 has a configuration in which the protrusion 152 provided on the base 151 of the holding member 150 shown in FIG. 2A is replaced with a recess 153.

[0135] The recess 153 is a portion recessed toward the +Z direction in a portion of the surface on the -Z direction side of the base 151 that is closer to the -Y direction than the end on the +Y direction side. The recess 153 may be formed across the entire width of the base 151 in the X direction, or may be provided in only a portion of the width of the base 151 in the X direction. The recess may also be provided on the side surface of the base 151 on the +X direction side or the -X direction side.

[0136] Such a holding member 150M3 is covered by a frame 160, similar to the holding member 150 shown in FIG. 2A. When the holding member 150M3 is covered by the frame 160, the frame 160 solidifies with a portion of the frame 160 embedded inside the recess 153. Therefore, even if the end of the base 151 on the −Y direction side is exposed to the outside of the frame 160, the holding member 150M3 can be prevented from slipping out of the frame 160. This is because the frame 160 is caught in the recess 153. The base 151 has the recess 153, which prevents the holding member 150M3 from slipping out of the frame 160, and similar to the holding member 150 shown in FIG. 2A, the holding member 150M3 can be stably fixed by the frame 160.

[0137] In addition, the base 151 of the holding member 150M3 has a through hole 151A (see FIG. 2B), similar to the base 151 of the holding member 150 shown in FIG. 2A, and the cable 140 is passed through the through hole 151A, so that the cable 140 can be stably held by the holding member 150M3 fixed by the frame body 160.

[0138] While exemplary vehicle window panes according to the present disclosure have been described above, the present disclosure is not limited to the specifically disclosed embodiments, and various modifications and variations are possible without departing from the scope of the claims.

[0139] This international application claims priority based on Japanese Patent Application No. 2023-181580, filed on October 23, 2023, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

[0140] 10 Vehicle body 11 Opening 20 Wire harness 21 Connector 100, 100M2, 100M3 Vehicle window glass 110 Laminated glass 111 First glass plate 111A First main surface 111B Second main surface 111C First side surface 112 Second glass plate 112A Third main surface 112B Fourth main surface 112C Second side surface 113 Intermediate film 113A First intermediate film 113B Second intermediate film 113C Third intermediate film 114 Shielding layer 120 Light control panel (an example of a thin electrical component, a functional film) 130 FPC (an example of a flexible substrate) 131 Substrate 132 Wiring 132A First end 132B Second end 133 Coverlay 134 Double-sided tape 140 Cable 141 Terminal (an example of one end) 142 Connector (an example of the other end) 150, 150M1, 150M2, 150M3 Holding member 151 Base 151A Through hole 151MA Groove 152 Convex 153 Concave 160, 160M2 Frame 161A, 161B Inner edge 161A1, 161B1 Inner edge 162 Outer edge 163 Concave

Claims

1. A vehicle window glass comprising: a first glass sheet having a first principal surface, a second principal surface, and a first side surface; a second glass sheet having a third principal surface, a fourth principal surface, and a second side surface; and an intermediate film provided between the second principal surface and the third principal surface, the laminated glass being provided in an opening of a vehicle body; a thin electrical component provided between the second principal surface and the third principal surface; wiring extending along the third principal surface, the second side surface, and the fourth principal surface, between a first end portion connected to the thin electrical component between the second principal surface and the third principal surface and a second end portion provided on the fourth principal surface; a resin frame body covering an outer edge of the laminated glass in a plan view and the wiring; a cable having one end connected to the second end portion of the wiring and the other end connected to a wire harness on the vehicle body side; and a retaining member provided on the fourth principal surface and covered by the frame body to hold the cable.

2. The vehicle window glass according to claim 1, wherein the retaining member is located on an inner edge of the frame in a plan view.

3. A vehicle window glass as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein the retaining member has a base and a convex portion protruding from the base at a position on the one end side of the surface of the portion of the base that is covered by the frame body, further towards the one end side than the end portion on the other end side.

4. A vehicle window glass as claimed in claim 3, wherein the convex portion is smaller than the base portion.

5. A vehicle window glass as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein the retaining member has a base and a recess that is recessed from the base at a position on the surface of the portion of the base that is covered by the frame body, closer to the one end than the end of the other end.

6. A vehicle window glass according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the holding member has a through hole through which the cable is passed.

7. A vehicle window glass as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the retaining member has a groove provided on a surface that abuts on the fourth main surface, and the cable is passed through the groove.

8. A vehicle window glass according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the retaining member is made of silicone rubber or EPDM.

9. A vehicle window glass according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the frame has a recess in which part of an inner edge is recessed towards an outer edge.

10. A vehicle window glass as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 9, further comprising a substrate extending between the first end and the second end along the third main surface, the second side surface and the fourth main surface and on which the wiring is provided, the wiring and the substrate constituting a flexible substrate.

11. A vehicle window glass according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the thin electrical component is a functional film, or an electric heating wire or conductive film for heating.

12. A vehicle window glass according to any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein the first glass plate is located on an exterior side of the vehicle body, and the second glass plate is located on an interior side of the vehicle body.

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