Vehicle pane assembly with a selectively heatable vehicle pane

Abstract

The invention relates to a vehicle pane assembly (100) having - a vehicle pane (1) with an exterior-side surface (I) and an interior-side surface (II), - at least one optical sensor (2) which is mounted in the interior and emits and / or receives beams through a passage region of the vehicle pane (1) in order to detect information about exterior conditions, said passage region for the beams (3) forming only a sub-region of the vehicle pane (1), and - a heating element (4) for clearing the passage region (3) of water-based condensation, comprising at least one narrow-band IR radiation source (5) for radiation in the IR wavelength range of 1.3 µm to 3.5 µm, the IR radiation source (5) being provided and aligned in the interior so that the emitted IR heating radiation passes through the vehicle pane (1) in the passage region (3) for the sensor beams. The at least one IR radiation source (5) is aligned in such a way that the IR heating radiation is emitted substantially perpendicular to the pane surface, and the heating element (4) comprises an optical means (6) for expanding and parallelizing the IR heating radiation. The invention also relates to the use of such a vehicle pane assembly.

Description

[0001] Vehicle windscreen arrangement with selectively heated vehicle windscreen

[0002] The invention relates to a vehicle windscreen arrangement with a vehicle windscreen that can be heated selectively, in particular in a sensor viewing area, and its use.

[0003] One challenge in driving is heating vehicle windows to prevent icing or fogging, which impairs visibility. This obstruction also affects areas of the window used by sensors inside the vehicle for environmental monitoring. Window heating is typically achieved by blowing heated air onto the window through inlets. This type of heating is collectively known as Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning (HVAC). Besides its enormous energy consumption, the inlets that transport the hot air and blow it onto the window require considerable space. Furthermore, the outlet nozzles must be positioned in a specific geometric relationship to the window, which significantly limits design and construction freedom.Therefore, this standard heating method is not well suited for selectively clearing the sensor's field of view from a pane of glass. Furthermore, this type of heating is comparatively slow.

[0004] Heated vehicle windows are well-known. They are primarily used as heated windshields in motor vehicles and offer the convenience of clearing the windshield of ice or condensation by heating it. They feature transparent, electrically conductive coatings, particularly silver layers. These coatings are electrically contacted, allowing an electric current to pass through them. This heats the coating, which is the basis of the heating effect. For example, see WO2013 / 104438A1.

[0005] A common problem with electrically conductive coatings is their high surface resistance, which, especially with large dimensions of the windscreen to be heated or with long current paths, necessitates a high operating voltage—in any case, higher than the usual vehicle on-board voltages. WO 2013 / 104439 A1 and EP 2803246 B1 disclose an electrically conductive coating for heating a windscreen, which consists of different layers that can somewhat reduce the surface resistance. Furthermore, heat loss, and thus energy loss, through convection across the usually large windscreen surfaces is also very high. Another disadvantage of heated coatings is that, for example, silver layers are not permeable to high-frequency radiation. This impairs, for example, the reception of mobile phone signals, communication with cloud servers ("Internet of Things"), and similar applications.This can lead to problems, especially in the case of electric vehicles. Some vehicle manufacturers, particularly electric vehicle manufacturers, therefore reject the use of silver-containing coatings.

[0006] Another challenge with often multi-layered, electrically conductive coatings used for heating vehicle windows is achieving an aesthetically pleasing appearance, as well as meeting required standards, for example, regarding light transmission and color neutrality, especially for windshields, but also rear windows or side windows. Furthermore, selectively heating a sensor's field of view with this heating arrangement would entail considerable manufacturing effort, as the heating layer(s) would have to be precisely integrated into the window within the sensor's field of view.

[0007] If the vehicle windshield is a laminated glass, thermal radiation can also be used to prevent fogging or icing. JP2013001611A discloses a laminated glass with an IR-absorbing interlayer. Irradiating the laminated glass with IR radiation causes it to heat up through the absorbing interlayer, thus reducing fogging or icing. However, even in this variant, selectively heating a sensor viewing area would be quite complex to manufacture, as the absorbing interlayer would have to be precisely integrated into the glass within the sensor's viewing area. Furthermore, incorporating such an interlayer is not suitable for single-pane glass such as side windows or rear windows.

[0008] FR960125A and LIS20110067726A1 disclose laminated glass windshields with IR radiation sources. If water droplets or frost are present on the windshield, it can be irradiated by the IR radiation source, causing any aqueous film on the windshield to evaporate. However, selective heating of sensor viewing areas of single-pane glass is not described. W02024083807A1 discloses a heated laminated glass comprising an outer pane and an inner pane connected to each other via a thermoplastic interlayer, and at least one heating device, wherein the heating device is a radiation source in the IR wavelength range from A = 1.3 pm to 3.5 pm and is arranged such that IR radiation in the wavelength range from A = 1.3 pm to 3.5 pm is coupled into the outer pane and / or inner pane.

[0009] For defrosting rear windows and removing condensation, the use of printed heating wires is common. These heating wires can be applied to a tempered glass, particularly using silver printing. These clearly visible printed strips are undesirable, especially from an aesthetic point of view. Furthermore, the printed heating wires must be applied directly to the tempered rear window and electrically connected via wires and connectors, potentially linking them to a control unit or the vehicle's electronics. This requires additional process steps, such as connecting wires and terminals, for example, printing and soldering busbars (flat and busbars), which must now be done using lead-free alloys. This process can lead to increased stress within the glass and, consequently, to breakage.Furthermore, the printed heating wires themselves, which are usually implemented using silver printing, are susceptible to damage. This can lead to the failure of entire heating lines and, consequently, to the formation of hotspots. The necessary wires and connections must then be concealed, for example with printed covers, to achieve an aesthetically pleasing appearance.

[0010] Standard vehicle side windows are not typically equipped with heating, apart from limited exposure to heated air from an existing HVAC system. These windows, especially those that open, present particular challenges for heating.

[0011] DE102011103340A1 discloses a device for a vehicle, arranged in the vehicle interior behind a vehicle window, comprising a housing and at least one optical sensor system, with a viewing direction towards and / or through a region of the vehicle window, wherein the device includes at least one active light source by means of which electromagnetic radiation is emitted onto at least a part of the region of the vehicle window through or towards which the at least one optical sensor system views, in order to heat the at least part of the region of the vehicle window. The device is designed with a light deflector for the at least one optical sensor system and the at least one active light source is arranged below the light deflector.The sensor system can be a camera system comprising an image sensor on a circuit board and a lens with multiple lenses, which serves to project electromagnetic radiation onto an electromagnetically sensitive area of ​​the image sensor.

[0012] Therefore, there is a general need for improved vehicle windows that can be freed from visibility-obstructing aqueous deposits, especially those that allow for the selective clearing of a sensor viewing area, even in single-pane vehicle glazing. Water can appear, for example, as a coating of condensed moisture, in droplet form, or as ice. In particular, there is also a need for a heating system suitable for sensor viewing areas in single-pane vehicle glazing, such as those commonly found in tempered side windows, and which does not require complex modifications to the glass.

[0013] The present invention therefore aims to provide an improved vehicle windshield assembly with a particularly effective, fast-acting, and energy-efficient windshield that can be selectively heated in the sensor's field of view, has an aesthetically pleasing appearance, and also meets the requirements of necessary standards such as light transmission and color neutrality. The vehicle windshield assembly should be simple and cost-effective to manufacture.

[0014] These and other problems of the present invention are solved according to the invention by a vehicle disc arrangement according to claim 1. Preferred embodiments are described in the dependent claims.

[0015] According to the invention, a vehicle windshield assembly is provided, comprising a vehicle windshield with an outer surface and an inner surface. The vehicle windshield assembly also includes at least one inner-side optical sensor, which emits and / or receives radiation in a transmission area through the vehicle windshield to acquire information about the conditions of the outside environment. This transmission area constitutes only a portion of the vehicle windshield. Additionally, the vehicle windshield assembly includes a heating element for removing water-based condensation from the transmission area. This heating element comprises at least one narrowband IR radiation source for radiation in the IR wavelength range from 1.3 pm to 3.5 pm. The IR radiation source thus emits IR heating radiation.According to the invention, the IR radiation source is arranged on the interior side such that the emitted IR heating radiation passes through the vehicle window in the area where the sensor beams pass through. The at least one IR radiation source is oriented such that the IR heating radiation is emitted essentially perpendicular to the window surface, and the heating element includes an optical means for widening and parallelizing the IR heating radiation.

[0016] For the purposes of the invention, “mounted / arranged on the interior side” means that the sensor or the IR radiation source is mounted / arranged in the space adjacent to the interior surface.

[0017] According to the invention, "selectively heated" means that the vehicle windshield in the vehicle windshield assembly can be cleaned, in particular of water-based deposits such as ice and / or condensed moisture, especially in the transmission area of ​​the sensor beams of a provided sensor. This is achieved according to the invention by an active heating effect using the IR radiation in the wavelength range of 1.3 pm to 3.5 pm. The transmission area of ​​the sensor radiation also forms the sensor's field of view of the vehicle windshield and can also be called the sensor window.

[0018] The vehicle windshield has an outer surface (Side I) and an inner surface (Side II). The outer surface, when installed in a vehicle, is designed to face the outside environment and is also called the outside. The inner surface, when installed in a vehicle, is designed to face the vehicle interior and is also called the inside.

[0019] The vehicle window in the vehicle window assembly is designed to separate the interior from the external environment within a vehicle window opening. It is particularly preferably the side window or the rear window of a passenger car or truck. In a particularly advantageous embodiment, the vehicle is an electric vehicle.

[0020] According to the invention, the IR radiation source of the heating element is oriented such that the emitted heating radiation passes through the vehicle window. This orientation differs fundamentally from IR heating devices that couple IR radiation into the vehicle window, thus using the vehicle window or parts thereof as optical fibers. As described above, the IR radiation source is oriented such that the IR heating radiation is emitted essentially perpendicular to the window surface. Therefore, the IR radiation source of the heating element is positioned within the vehicle window assembly such that its radiation is directed essentially perpendicular to the surface of the vehicle window, in the area where the sensor radiation passes through the vehicle window, towards the water condensation to be removed. This minimizes or eliminates power loss due to unwanted reflection.

[0021] The term "emitted essentially perpendicular to the disc surface" means that the IR heating radiation is emitted with a deviation of a maximum of 10°, preferably a maximum of 5°, and particularly preferably a maximum of 3°, from the perpendicular to the disc surface, i.e., the surface of the vehicle disc. Most preferably, the IR heating radiation is emitted exactly perpendicular to the disc surface. The deviation is preferably determined at the geometric center of the transmission area.

[0022] In one embodiment of the vehicle windscreen arrangement, the optical sensor is a camera, an IR sensor, and in particular a lidar sensor.

[0023] In a further preferred embodiment, the at least one narrowband IR radiation source is a halogen lamp with a bandpass filter, an LED, an OLED, and / or a laser diode, preferably an LED. In particular, the narrowband radiation source thus comprises at least one LED, which can also be referred to analogously as an "IR-emitting diode." Alternatively, the radiation source can comprise laser diodes, which have the advantage of being particularly powerful and efficient. In addition to the aforementioned elements for generating IR radiation, the radiation source can also include other elements, for example, a housing in which the elements for generating IR radiation are mounted.

[0024] For the purposes of the invention, a narrowband IR radiation source is understood to be one that preferably has a maximum radiation energy within a wavelength range of less than 400 nm, particularly preferably less than 50 nm, and most preferably less than 10 nm, especially within 2 nm. This allows the utilized energy to be selectively limited to the required range, thereby minimizing or even completely preventing energy losses. In another preferred embodiment of the vehicle windscreen arrangement, the radiation source is provided that it can emit IR radiation, preferably exclusively, in an IR wavelength range from 1.4 pm to 3.3 pm, more preferably in a range from 1.45 pm to 1.95 pm or from 2.6 pm to 3.1 pm. It is not necessary for the emission band of the radiation source to completely cover the aforementioned ranges.The emission band should, however, lie (at least partially) within these ranges. In particular, the emission band of the radiation source is preferably located, at least approximately, in an IR wavelength range corresponding to one or more of the absorption maxima of water, such as 1450 nm, 1950 nm, or 2950 nm. The radiation source is expediently connected to a power supply.

[0025] In the preferred wavelength range of 2.6 pm to 3.1 pm, the absorption and excitation of water molecules, and thus the resulting heating and evaporation, are particularly high. Advantageously, it has been shown that the transmission of glass in the wavelength range of 2.9 pm to 3.1 pm is particularly high at over 70%, and especially at approximately 3.0 pm at approximately 85%, so that the energy can be used efficiently for de-icing and evaporating water.

[0026] In the alternative preferred region, the radiation source is suitable for emitting IR radiation in the IR wavelength range from 1.45 pm to 1.95 pm. In this range, the radiation is particularly energy-intensive and therefore very suitable for evaporating water.

[0027] In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, the narrowband radiation source comprises, or consists of, an Er:YAG diode. The Er:YAG diode has a wavelength of approximately 2960 nm. Other examples include InAs / GaSb and Er^-doped sesquioxide diodes. For example, an InGaAsP diode with a wavelength of 1900 nm can also be used. The aforementioned wavelength ranges correspond to frequency and wavelength ranges in which water molecules exhibit the highest absorption coefficient for IR radiation. Simultaneously, the transmission of glass in this IR radiation range is particularly high (TL > 80%), and only a small fraction of the IR radiation is absorbed.

[0028] In a further preferred embodiment, when using an IR-radiation-based sensor, in particular a lidar sensor, the IR heating radiation is selected such that there is a wavelength difference of at least 300 nm, and in particular at least 400 nm, between the sensor radiation and the heating radiation, i.e., the emission band of the radiation source. This wavelength difference ensures that the IR heating radiation used does not interfere with or interfere with the IR radiation to be measured by the sensor. This guarantees reliable sensor function and measurement.

[0029] Another preferred embodiment of the vehicle windscreen arrangement according to the invention provides that the at least one sensor and the heating element are arranged in a common housing. This enables safe, space-saving positioning in a vehicle interior.

[0030] In a preferred embodiment of the vehicle window arrangement according to the invention, the vehicle window is a single-glazed vehicle window, i.e., a vehicle window with only one pane, meaning the vehicle window is formed from a first pane. The vehicle window can have conventional coatings, prints, for example, conventional enamel overprints, and other elements.

[0031] The invention thus also relates to a vehicle window arrangement comprising a vehicle window formed from a first pane with an outer surface and an inner surface, at least one inner-side optical sensor which emits and / or receives rays in a transmission area through the vehicle window to detect information about the conditions of the outside environment, wherein the transmission area of ​​the rays forms only a partial area of ​​the vehicle window, and a heating element for removing water-based condensation from the transmission area, comprising at least one narrowband IR radiation source for radiation in the IR wavelength range from 1.3 pm to 3.5 pm, wherein the IR radiation source is arranged and oriented on the inner side such that the emitted IR heating radiation passes through the vehicle window in the transmission area of ​​the sensor rays.wherein the at least one IR radiation source is oriented such that the IR heating radiation is emitted substantially perpendicular to the disk surface and wherein the heating element comprises an optical means for widening and parallelizing the IR heating radiation.

[0032] In an alternative preferred embodiment of the vehicle windscreen assembly according to the invention, the vehicle windscreen comprises two windscreens, namely a first windscreen and a second windscreen, wherein the second windscreen is congruently bonded to the first windscreen via a thermoplastic intermediate layer. Preferably, the first windscreen and the second windscreen share a common circumferential edge surface. In other words, the vehicle windscreen of the vehicle windscreen assembly according to the invention can also be a laminated windscreen.

[0033] The invention thus also relates to a vehicle window arrangement comprising a vehicle window with an outer surface and an inner surface, comprising a first pane, a second pane and a thermoplastic intermediate layer arranged between the first pane and the second pane, at least one inner-side optical sensor which emits and / or receives rays in a transmission area through the vehicle window to detect information about the conditions of the outside, wherein the transmission area of ​​the rays forms only a partial area of ​​the vehicle window, and a heating element for removing water-based condensation from the transmission area, comprising at least one narrowband IR radiation source for radiation in the IR wavelength range from 1.3 pm to 3.5 pm, wherein the IR radiation source is arranged and oriented on the inner side in such a way thatthat the emitted IR heating radiation passes through the vehicle window in the transmission area of ​​the sensor beams, wherein the at least one IR radiation source is oriented such that the IR heating radiation is emitted substantially perpendicular to the window surface, and wherein the heating element comprises an optical means for widening and parallelizing the IR heating radiation.

[0034] In a preferred embodiment, the thermoplastic interlayer is preferably transparent, tinted, or colored. The thermoplastic interlayer preferably contains or consists of at least one plastic, preferably polyvinyl butyral (PVB), ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA), and / or polyethylene terephthalate (PET). However, the thermoplastic interlayer can also contain, for example, polyurethane (PU), polypropylene (PP), polyacrylate, polyethylene (PE), polycarbonate (PC), polymethyl methacrylate, polyvinyl chloride, polyacetate resin, casting resins, acrylates, fluorinated ethylene propylenes, polyvinyl fluoride, and / or ethylene tetrafluoroethylene, or copolymers or mixtures thereof. The thermoplastic interlayer can be formed by one or more films arranged one above the other, the thickness of each film preferably being from 0.025 mm to 1 mm, typically 0.38 mm or 0.76 mm.The thermoplastic intermediate layer bonds the first disc, the second disc and any further intermediate layers together.

[0035] In a preferred embodiment, the first pane is a glass pane, particularly preferably made of soda-lime glass, which is common for vehicle windows, especially in the form of tempered safety glass (ESG). However, the first pane can also be made of other types of glass (for example, borosilicate glass, quartz glass, aluminosilicate glass). Alternatively, the first pane can also be made of plastic, i.e., transparent polymers, for example, polycarbonate. The thickness of the first pane can vary widely. Panes with a thickness in the range of 0.5 mm to 10 mm are preferred, more preferably from 1 mm to 5 mm, and particularly preferably from 3.15 mm to 4.85 mm.

[0036] In a preferred embodiment, the second pane is made of glass, particularly preferably soda-lime glass. However, the second pane can also be made of other types of glass (for example, borosilicate glass, quartz glass, aluminosilicate glass). Alternatively, the second pane can also be made of plastic, i.e., transparent polymers, for example, polycarbonate. The thickness of the second pane can vary widely. Panes with a thickness in the range of 0.5 mm to 10 mm are preferred, more preferably from 1 mm to 5 mm, and particularly preferably from 3.15 mm to 4.85 mm.

[0037] In another preferred embodiment, the vehicle window of the vehicle window arrangement is designed as a composite window and the first window and the second window independently have a thickness of 1.6 mm or 2.1 mm.

[0038] In a preferred embodiment, the optical means for expanding and parallelizing the IR heating radiation is a lens, particularly preferably a lens system of the type used in Keplerian or Galilean telescopes, with a lens system of the type used in Galilean telescopes being preferred. Here, the lens system has no internal focal point, which is advantageous from a safety perspective. The expansion and parallelization of the IR heating radiation results in very high heating efficiency and precise coverage of the sensor's field of view. This significantly reduces the time required for defrosting or condensation removal compared to previously known IR heating devices. In tests, a sensor field of view with an exemplary size of 20 cm x 10 cm was cleared of condensation in approximately 10 seconds. The optical means is positioned between the lens and the IR radiation source.The distance parameters can be adjusted depending on the model of the optical device and the size of the area to be irradiated. The geometric formulas for this are generally known to those skilled in the art. For example, the output beam diameter (DL) at a specific working distance (L) can be calculated from the input beam diameter (Do) of the radiation source and the divergence using the following formula:

[0039] DL = Do + L*tan(20o).

[0040] A preferred embodiment provides that the radiation source is functionally connected to at least one control unit and / or on-board electronics. The radiation source can be controlled, in particular, by means of the control unit and / or the on-board electronics. Preferably, the control unit or the on-board electronics also serve as a voltage source for the radiation source.

[0041] Furthermore, the invention extends to the use of the vehicle window arrangement described above in various embodiments in vehicles for traffic on land, in the air or on water, in particular comprising a selectively heated side window, rear window, roof or windshield in motor vehicles, especially in electric vehicles.

[0042] The various embodiments of the invention can be implemented individually or in any combination. In particular, the features mentioned above and to be explained below can be used not only in the combinations specified, but also in other combinations or on their own, unless they are explicitly described as possible only as alternatives to one another without departing from the scope of the present invention.

[0043] The invention is explained in more detail below with reference to exemplary embodiments, with reference to the accompanying figures. These show, in a simplified representation not to scale:

[0044] Fig. 1 is a purely schematic cross-sectional view of an embodiment of a vehicle disc arrangement according to the invention, Fig. 2 is a further embodiment of a vehicle disc arrangement according to the invention in a purely schematic cross-sectional view,

[0045] Fig. 3 shows an absorption spectrum of water (liquid state), and

[0046] Fig. 4 shows a further embodiment of a vehicle disc arrangement according to the invention in a purely schematic cross-sectional view.

[0047] Figure 1 shows, in an embodiment of the invention, a vehicle window assembly 100 with a vehicle window 1. The vehicle window 1 has an outer surface I and an inner surface II. The outer surface I is designed to face the outside environment when the vehicle window 1 is installed in a vehicle and is also called the outside. The inner surface II is designed to face the vehicle interior when the vehicle window 1 is installed in a vehicle and is also called the inside.

[0048] The vehicle window 1 in the vehicle window assembly 100 is designed to separate the interior from the external environment in a vehicle window opening. It is particularly preferably the side window or the rear window of a passenger car or truck. In a particularly advantageous embodiment, the vehicle is an electric vehicle.

[0049] In the embodiment shown in Figure 1, the vehicle windshield 1 is a single-glazed vehicle windshield, i.e., a vehicle windshield 1 with only one first pane 7, which is preferably made of glass. The first pane 7 can have conventional coatings, prints (e.g., conventional enamel overprints), and other elements. The first pane 7 is preferably made of glass, particularly preferably of soda-lime glass, which is common for vehicle windshields, for example, in the form of tempered safety glass (ESG). However, the first pane 7 can also be made of other types of glass (e.g., borosilicate glass, quartz glass, aluminosilicate glass). Alternatively, the first pane 7 can also be made of plastic, i.e., transparent polymers, for example, polycarbonate. The thickness of the first pane 7 can vary widely.Discs with a thickness in the range of 0.5 mm to 10 mm are preferred, preferably from 1 mm to 5 mm, particularly preferably from 3.15 mm to 4.85 mm.

[0050] The vehicle windscreen arrangement 100 shown in Figure 1 according to the invention also comprises at least one interior-mounted optical sensor 2, which emits and / or receives rays in a transmission area 3 through the vehicle windscreen 1 to acquire information about the conditions of the outside environment, wherein the transmission area 3 of the rays forms only a partial area of ​​the vehicle windscreen 1. The optical sensor 2 is, for example, a camera or an IR sensor, and in particular a lidar sensor.

[0051] Furthermore, the vehicle windscreen assembly 100 according to the invention comprises a heating element 4 for removing water-based condensation from the penetration area 3, and the heating element 4 comprises at least one narrowband IR radiation source 5 for radiation in the IR wavelength range from 1.3 pm to 3.5 pm. The radiation source 5 is advantageously connected to a power supply unit. The narrowband IR radiation source 5 comprises, for example, an LED. Alternatively, the radiation source 5 can comprise laser diodes, which have the advantage of being particularly powerful and efficient. In addition to the aforementioned elements for generating IR radiation, the radiation source 5 can also comprise further elements, for example, a housing in which the elements for generating IR radiation are mounted.In a preferred embodiment, when using an IR-radiation-based sensor 2, in particular a lidar sensor, the IR heating radiation is selected such that there is a wavelength difference of at least 300 nm, and in particular at least 400 nm, between the sensor radiation and the heating radiation, i.e., the emission band of the radiation source 5. This wavelength difference ensures that the IR heating radiation used does not interfere with or interfere with the IR radiation to be measured by the sensor 2. This guarantees reliable sensor function and measurement.

[0052] The IR radiation source 5 of the heating element 4 is oriented such that the emitted heating radiation passes through the vehicle window 1. This orientation differs fundamentally from IR heating devices that couple IR radiation into the vehicle window 1 and thus use the vehicle window 1 or parts thereof as an optical fiber. In particular, the IR radiation source 5 of the heating element 4 is arranged in the vehicle window assembly 100 according to the invention such that its radiation is directed essentially perpendicular to the interior surface II of the vehicle window 1 in the transmission area 3 of the sensor radiation through the vehicle window 1, towards the water condensation to be removed. This minimizes or avoids power loss due to unwanted reflection. The radiation source 5 is functionally connected, for example, to at least one control unit and / or on-board electronics.The radiation source 5 can be controlled, in particular, by means of the control unit and / or the on-board electronics. Preferably, the control unit or the on-board electronics of the radiation source 5 also serve as a voltage source.

[0053] Furthermore, the heating element 4 comprises an optical means 6 for expanding and parallelizing the IR heating radiation. In the embodiment shown in Figure 1, the optical means 6 for expanding and parallelizing the IR heating radiation is a lens. Preferably, the optical means 6 for expanding and parallelizing the IR heating radiation is a lens system of the type of a Keplerian or Galilean telescope, with a lens system of the type of a Galilean telescope being particularly preferred. The expansion and parallelization of the IR heating radiation results in very high heating efficiency and precise coverage of the sensor's field of view. This makes it possible to significantly reduce the time required for defrosting or condensation removal compared to previously known IR heating devices.

[0054] The optical element 6 is positioned between the vehicle windscreen 1 and the IR radiation source 5. The distance parameters can be adjusted depending on the model of the optical element 6 and the size of the transmission area 3 to be irradiated. The geometric formulas for this are generally known to those skilled in the art.

[0055] The heating element 4 can be positioned at a suitable location within the interior. It can be mounted independently of the sensor 2. In a preferred embodiment, the heating element 4 can be housed in a common housing with the sensor 2.

[0056] Figure 2 shows a further preferred embodiment of the invention in a highly simplified schematic cross-sectional view. This differs from the embodiment shown in Figure 1 only in that the vehicle windscreen assembly 100 comprises two heating elements 4, each with an IR radiation source 5, in different positions. In addition to the heating element 4, which has a substantially perpendicular beam path of the IR heating radiation with respect to the surface of the vehicle windscreen 1, a second heating element 4 is provided, which is also oriented such that it selectively covers the transmission area 3 of the radiation from the sensor 2. The radiation from this second heating element 4 is not necessarily oriented perpendicular to the surface of the vehicle windscreen 1, but is preferably also oriented substantially perpendicularly.The second heating element 4 also has an optical means 6 for widening and parallelizing the IR heating radiation, which preferably comprises a lens system similar to that of a Galilean telescope. The IR radiation sources 5 emit, as described above with reference to Figure 1, in a narrowband manner within the wavelength range of the absorption maxima of the water. This design allows for even faster defrosting or removal of condensation.

[0057] Figure 3 shows an absorption spectrum of water in the liquid state. The diagram shows that water molecules, for example, exhibit a particularly high absorption coefficient at a wavelength of approximately 3 pm. In a preferred embodiment, a narrowband radiation source 5 in the IR wavelength range between 2.5 pm and 3.3 pm, particularly preferably from 2.9 to 3.1 pm, is therefore used as the heating device for the selectively heated vehicle windscreen assembly, since the absorption and excitation of the water molecules, and thus the resulting heating and evaporation, are particularly high in this preferred wavelength range. Advantageously, it has been shown that with glass, the transmission in the wavelength range from 2.9 pm to 3.1 pm is simultaneously over 70%, and particularly at approximately 3.0 pm it is approximately 10%.85% is particularly large, so that the radiant energy can be used efficiently for de-icing and evaporating water in the relevant areas, for example, a windshield. The radiation source 5 can, for example, be an Er:YAG diode with a wavelength of 2960 nm. This wavelength corresponds to the wavelength range in which water molecules exhibit the highest absorption coefficient. Alternatively, the radiation source 5 can be an LED emitting narrowband IR radiation in the wavelength range of approximately 1.45 pm and / or 1.95 pm.

[0058] Figure 4 shows a further preferred embodiment of the invention in a highly simplified schematic cross-sectional view. This differs from the embodiment shown in Figure 1 only in that the vehicle window 1 is designed as a composite window and, in addition to the first window 7, comprises a second window 8 which is congruently connected to the first window 7 via a thermoplastic intermediate layer 9. Preferably, the first window 7 and the second window 8 have a common circumferential edge surface.

[0059] The first pane 7 and the second pane 8 are preferably made of glass. The first pane 7 and / or the second pane 8 can have conventional coatings, prints (e.g., conventional enamel overprints), and other elements. The first pane 7 and the second pane are preferably made of soda-lime glass, which is common for vehicle windows. However, the first pane 7 and / or the second pane 8 can also be made of other types of glass (e.g., borosilicate glass, quartz glass, aluminosilicate glass). Alternatively, the first pane 7 and / or the second pane 8 can also be made of plastic, i.e., transparent polymers, for example, polycarbonate. The thickness of the first pane 7 and the second pane 8 can vary widely. Panes with a thickness in the range of 0.5 mm to 10 mm are preferred, more preferably from 1 mm to 5 mm, and particularly preferably 1.6 mm or 2.1 mm.The thermoplastic intermediate layer 9 is made of PVB, for example. The thermoplastic intermediate layer 9 is made of, for example, a.

[0060] A foil has been formed. The thickness of the foil is, for example, 0.76 mm.

[0061] It is understood that the embodiment of a vehicle window arrangement 100 shown in Figure 2 can also be modified in such a way that the vehicle window 1 is designed as a composite window.

[0062] Reference symbol list

[0063] 1 vehicle window

[0064] 2 Sensor 3 Passage area of ​​the sensor beams

[0065] 4 heating elements

[0066] 5 IR radiation source

[0067] 6. Optical means for widening and parallelizing

[0068] 7 first disc 8 second disc

[0069] 9 thermoplastic intermediate layer

[0070] 100 Vehicle window arrangement I outer surface

[0071] II Interior surface

Claims

Patent claims 1. Vehicle window arrangement (100), comprising a vehicle window (1) with an outer surface (I) and an inner surface (II), at least one inner optical sensor (2) which emits and / or receives rays in a transmission area (3) through the vehicle window (1) to detect information about the conditions of the outside environment, wherein the transmission area of ​​the rays (3) forms only a partial area of ​​the vehicle window (1), and a heating element (4) for removing water-based condensation from the transmission area (3), comprising at least one narrowband IR radiation source (5) for radiation in the IR wavelength range from 1.3 pm to 3.5 pm, wherein the IR radiation source (5) is arranged and oriented on the inner side such that the emitted IR heating radiation passes through the vehicle window (1) in the transmission area (3) of the sensor rays, characterized in thatthat the at least one IR radiation source (5) is oriented such that the IR heating radiation is emitted substantially perpendicular to the disk surface and that the heating element (4) comprises an optical means (6) for widening and parallelizing the IR heating radiation.

2. Vehicle window arrangement (100) according to claim 1, wherein the optical sensor (2) is a camera, an IR sensor, and in particular a lidar sensor.

3. Vehicle window arrangement (100) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the narrowband IR radiation source (5) is a halogen lamp with band filter, an LED, an OLED or a laser diode, preferably an LED.

4. Vehicle window arrangement (100) according to one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the radiation source (5) can emit IR radiation in an IR wavelength range of 1.4 pm to 3.3 pm, preferably in a range of 1.45 pm to 1.95 pm or of 2.6 pm to 3.1 pm, and particularly preferably in an IR wavelength range of one or more of the absorption maxima of water.

5. Vehicle window arrangement (100) according to one of claims 1 to 4, wherein when using an IR radiation-based sensor (2), in particular a lidar sensor, the IR heating radiation is selected such that there is a wavelength difference of at least 300 nm, in particular at least 400 nm, between the sensor radiation and the heating radiation.

6. Vehicle window arrangement (100) according to one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the at least one sensor (2) and the heating element (4) are arranged in a common housing.

7. Vehicle window arrangement (100) according to one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the The vehicle window (1) is formed from a first window (7).

8. Vehicle window arrangement (100) according to one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the Vehicle window (1) comprises a first window (7) and a second window (8) which are congruently connected to each other over a surface via a thermoplastic intermediate layer (9).

9. Vehicle window arrangement (100) according to claim 8, wherein the second window (8) is a glass window, preferably consisting of soda-lime glass.

10. Vehicle window arrangement (100) according to one of claims 7 to 9, wherein the first window (7) is a glass window, preferably consisting of soda-lime glass.

11. Vehicle window arrangement (100) according to one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the optical means for widening and parallelizing the IR heating radiation is a lens system of the type of a Keplerian or Galilean telescope.

12. Use of the vehicle window arrangement (100) according to one of claims 1 to 11 in vehicles for transport on land, in the air or on water, in particular comprising a selectively heated side window, rear window, roof or Windscreen in motor vehicles, especially in electric vehicles.

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