Vehicular glass

Abstract

The present invention suppresses displacement of a transmission member. A vehicular glass (1) has: a glass member (10) in which an opening (19) penetrating from a surface (10A) on a Z1 direction side to a surface (10B) on a Z2 direction side opposite to the Z1 direction is formed; a transmission member (20) that is provided in the opening (19) and transmits far infrared rays; and a frame member (30) provided between an inner peripheral surface (19C) of the opening (19) and an outer peripheral surface (21) of the transmission member (20). The opening (19) has different inner diameters at different positions in a Z direction, and the frame member (30) has different outer diameters at different positions in the Z direction.

Description

Vehicle glass

[0001] This invention relates to vehicle glass.

[0002] Various sensors may be installed on vehicles such as automobiles to improve their safety. Examples of sensors installed on vehicles include cameras, LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging), millimeter-wave radar, and infrared sensors.

[0003] Patent Document 1 describes a vehicle glass in which an opening is formed in a glass member, a transparent member capable of transmitting far-infrared rays is provided in the opening, and far-infrared rays are received through the transparent member.

[0004] International Publication No. 2022 / 045011

[0005] When an opening is formed in a glass member and a transparent member is placed therein, external forces may cause the transparent member to shift in the thickness direction relative to the glass member. Therefore, it is necessary to suppress the shifting of the transparent member.

[0006] The present invention aims to provide vehicle glass capable of suppressing displacement of the transparent member.

[0007] The vehicle glass according to this disclosure comprises a glass member having an opening formed therein that penetrates from the surface on the first direction side in the thickness direction to the surface on the second direction side opposite to the first direction; a transparent member provided in the opening that transmits far-infrared rays; and a frame member provided between the inner circumferential surface of the opening and the outer circumferential surface of the transparent member, wherein the opening has different inner diameters at different positions in the thickness direction, and the frame member has different outer diameters at different positions in the thickness direction.

[0008] According to the present invention, displacement of the transparent member can be suppressed.

[0009] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram showing the vehicle glass according to the embodiment mounted on a vehicle. Figure 2 is a schematic plan view of the vehicle glass according to the embodiment. Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view along line A-A in Figure 2. Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view along line B-B in Figure 2. Figure 5 is a schematic enlarged cross-sectional view of the glass member according to the embodiment. Figure 6 is a diagram showing an example configuration when a far-infrared camera is attached to the vehicle glass. Figure 7 is a schematic enlarged cross-sectional view of the glass member according to the embodiment. Figure 8 is a schematic enlarged cross-sectional view of the glass member according to the embodiment. Figure 9 is a schematic enlarged cross-sectional view of the glass member according to the embodiment.

[0010] Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the attached drawings. Note that the present invention is not limited to these embodiments, and if there are multiple embodiments, they may be constructed by combining these embodiments. Numerical values ​​are rounded to the nearest whole number.

[0011] (Vehicle) Figure 1 is a schematic diagram showing the vehicle glass according to the embodiment mounted on a vehicle. As shown in Figure 1, the vehicle glass 1 according to this embodiment is mounted on a vehicle V. The vehicle glass 1 is a window member applied to the windshield of the vehicle V. That is, the vehicle glass 1 is used as the front window of the vehicle V, or in other words, as a windshield. Inside the vehicle V (interior), a far-infrared camera CA1 and a visible light camera CA2 are mounted. The inside of the vehicle V (interior) refers to, for example, the interior of the vehicle where the driver's seat is located.

[0012] The vehicle glass 1, far-infrared camera CA1, and visible light camera CA2 constitute the camera unit 100. The far-infrared camera CA1 is a camera that detects far-infrared rays. The far-infrared camera CA1 captures a thermal image of the outside of the vehicle V by detecting far-infrared rays from outside the vehicle V. The visible light camera CA2 is a camera that detects visible light. The visible light camera CA2 captures an image of the outside of the vehicle V by detecting visible light from outside the vehicle V. In addition to the far-infrared camera CA1 and the visible light camera CA2, the camera unit 100 may further include, for example, LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) or millimeter-wave radar. Here, far-infrared rays refer to, for example, electromagnetic waves in the wavelength band of 8 μm to 13 μm, and visible light refers to, for example, electromagnetic waves in the wavelength band of 380 nm to 830 nm.

[0013] (Vehicle Glass) Figure 2 is a schematic plan view of vehicle glass according to an embodiment. Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view along line A-A in Figure 2. Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view along line B-B in Figure 2. As shown in Figure 2, the upper edge of the vehicle glass 1 will be referred to as the upper edge portion 1a, the lower edge as the lower edge portion 1b, one side edge as the side edge portion 1c, and the other side edge as the side edge portion 1d. The upper edge portion 1a is the edge portion located on the vertically upper side when the vehicle glass 1 is mounted on the vehicle V. The lower edge portion 1b is the edge portion located on the vertically lower side when the vehicle glass 1 is mounted on the vehicle V. The side edge portion 1c is the edge portion located on one side when the vehicle glass 1 is mounted on the vehicle V. The side edge portion 1d is the edge portion located on the other side when the vehicle glass 1 is mounted on the vehicle V.

[0014] Hereinafter, among the directions parallel to the surface of the vehicle glass 1, the direction from the upper edge 1a to the lower edge 1b will be defined as the Y direction, and the direction from the side edge 1c to the side edge 1d will be defined as the X direction. In this embodiment, the X direction and the Y direction are orthogonal. The direction perpendicular to the surface of the vehicle glass 1, that is, the thickness direction of the vehicle glass 1, will be defined as the Z direction. Furthermore, one direction along the Z direction will be defined as the Z1 direction (first direction), and the direction opposite to the Z1 direction will be defined as the Z2 direction (second direction). The Z1 direction is, for example, the direction from the inside to the outside of the vehicle V when the vehicle glass 1 is mounted on the vehicle V. The Z2 direction is, for example, the direction from the outside to the inside of the vehicle V when the vehicle glass 1 is mounted on the vehicle V. The X direction and the Y direction are along the surface of the vehicle glass 1, but for example, if the surface of the vehicle glass 1 is curved, they may be directions that are tangent to the surface of the vehicle glass 1 at the center point O of the vehicle glass 1. The center point O is the central position of the vehicle glass 1 when viewed from the Z direction.

[0015] The vehicle glass 1 has a light-transmitting region A1 and a light-blocking region A2. The light-transmitting region A1 is the central part of the vehicle glass 1 when viewed from the Z direction. The light-transmitting region A1 is the region that ensures the driver's field of view. The light-transmitting region A1 is the region that transmits visible light. The light-blocking region A2 is the region that is formed around the light-transmitting region A1 when viewed from the Z direction. The light-blocking region A2 is the region that blocks visible light and ultraviolet light (ultraviolet light). Within the light-blocking region A2a, which is the part on the upper edge 1a side of the light-blocking region A2, a far-infrared transmitting region B and a visible light transmitting region C are formed.

[0016] The far-infrared transmission region B is a region that transmits far-infrared light and is the region in which the far-infrared camera CA1 is installed. That is, the far-infrared camera CA1 is installed in a position that overlaps with the far-infrared transmission region B when viewed from the optical axis direction of the far-infrared camera CA1. The visible light transmission region C is a region that transmits visible light and is the region in which the visible light camera CA2 is installed. That is, the visible light camera CA2 is installed in a position that overlaps with the visible light transmission region C when viewed from the optical axis direction of the visible light camera CA2.

[0017] As described above, the light-shielding region A2 has a far-infrared transmitting region B and a visible light transmitting region C. Therefore, the light-shielding region A2 blocks far-infrared rays in areas other than where the far-infrared transmitting region B is formed, and blocks visible light in areas other than where the visible light transmitting region C is formed. The far-infrared transmitting region B and the visible light transmitting region C are surrounded by a light-shielding region A2a. This surrounding light-shielding region A2a is preferable because it protects the various sensors from sunlight. It is also preferable from a design standpoint because the wiring of the various sensors is not visible from outside the vehicle.

[0018] As shown in Figure 3, the vehicle glass 1 comprises a glass member 10. The glass member 10 is the main body portion of the vehicle glass 1 that constitutes the windshield of the vehicle V. The glass member 10 may be single-pane glass or laminated glass, but in this embodiment, the glass member 10 is laminated glass in which a first glass base 12 provided on the outside of the vehicle and a second glass base 14 provided on the inside of the vehicle are laminated with an intermediate layer 16 in between. Specifically, the glass member 10 comprises a first glass base 12, a second glass base 14, an intermediate layer 16, and a light-shielding layer 18. In the vehicle glass 1, the first glass base 12, the intermediate layer 16, the second glass base 14, and the light-shielding layer 18 are laminated in this order in the Z2 direction. The first glass base 12 and the second glass base 14 are fixed (bonded) to each other via the intermediate layer 16.

[0019] The glass substrate may be inorganic glass or organic glass. Examples of inorganic glass include soda-lime glass, aluminosilicate glass, borosilicate glass, alkali-free glass, and quartz glass, which can be used without particular restriction. Among these, soda-lime glass is particularly preferred in terms of manufacturing cost and moldability. For example, in the case of inorganic glass, glass plates formed by the float process are preferred. When the first glass substrate 12 and the second glass substrate 14 are inorganic glass, the first glass substrate 12 and the second glass substrate 14 may be either untempered glass or tempered glass. Tempered glass may be either physically tempered glass or chemically tempered glass. Untempered glass is obtained by forming molten glass into a plate and slowly cooling it. Tempered glass is obtained by forming a compressive stress layer on the surface of untempered glass. Tempered glass may be either physically tempered glass or chemically tempered glass. In the case of physically strengthened glass, the glass surface may be strengthened by creating a compressive stress layer on the glass surface due to the temperature difference between the glass surface and the inside of the glass, through operations other than slow cooling, such as air-cooled strengthening, where a uniformly heated glass plate is rapidly cooled from a temperature near its softening point during bending. In the case of chemically strengthened glass, the glass surface may be strengthened after bending by creating compressive stress on the glass surface by methods such as ion exchange. Known molding techniques such as gravity molding, press molding, and roller molding may be used for bending the glass substrate. Glass that absorbs ultraviolet or infrared rays may also be used. Furthermore, the first glass substrate 12 and the second glass substrate 14 may be transparent or colored. The plate thickness of the first glass substrate 12 and the second glass substrate 14 is not particularly limited, but is preferably 0.3 mm or more, more preferably 0.5 mm or more, even more preferably 1 mm or more, even more preferably 1.5 mm or more, and most preferably 2 mm or more. Furthermore, the plate thickness of the first glass substrate 12 and the second glass substrate 14 is preferably 5 mm or less, more preferably 4 mm or less, and even more preferably 3 mm or less. The intermediate layer 16 is an adhesive layer that bonds the first glass substrate 12 and the second glass substrate 14.As the intermediate layer 16, known materials such as polyvinyl butyral (hereinafter also referred to as PVB) modified material, ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer (EVA) material, urethane resin material, and vinyl chloride resin material can be used. The intermediate layer 16 may also contain functional particles such as ultraviolet absorbers, infrared absorbers, adhesion enhancers, antioxidants, and light stabilizers. The intermediate layer 16 may be transparent or colored. The intermediate layer 16 may also have a multilayer structure of two or more layers. More specifically, the first glass substrate 12 includes one surface 12A (the surface on the Z1 direction) and the other surface 12B (the surface on the Z2 direction), and the other surface 12B is in contact with one surface 16A (the surface on the Z1 direction) of the intermediate layer 16 and is fixed (adhered) to the intermediate layer 16. The second glass substrate 14 includes one surface 14A (the surface facing the Z1 direction) and the other surface 14B (the surface facing the Z2 direction), and the one surface 14A is in contact with the other surface 16B (the surface facing the Z2 direction) of the intermediate layer 16 and is fixed (bonded) to the intermediate layer 16. Thus, the vehicle glass 1 is a laminated glass in which the first glass substrate 12 and the second glass substrate 14 are laminated. However, the vehicle glass 1 is not limited to laminated glass, and may be a configuration that includes only one of the first glass substrate 12 and the second glass substrate 14 (i.e., a single-pane glass). In this case, the intermediate layer 16 may not be provided. The intermediate layer 16 may contain a heat-generating film (PET substrate), a heating device, an antenna, a liquid crystal device, a dimming device, an image projection layer, an emitting layer, a heat-reflective layer, etc. Hereinafter, when the first glass substrate 12 and the second glass substrate 14 are not distinguished, they will be referred to as glass substrates. When the vehicle glass 1 is installed in a vehicle, the vehicle glass 1 may have a curved shape that protrudes outwards from the vehicle. The curved shape of the vehicle glass 1 from the periphery to the center may be a curved shape in only one direction, a curved shape in two perpendicular directions, or a curved shape in three or more directions. The thickness of the vehicle glass 1 is not particularly limited, but is preferably 3 mm or more, more preferably 4 mm or more, even more preferably 4.5 mm or more, even more preferably 5 mm or more, and most preferably 6 mm or more.Furthermore, the thickness of the vehicle glass 1 is preferably 10 mm or less, more preferably 9 mm or less, even more preferably 8 mm or less, and most preferably 7 mm or less. In this embodiment, the upper and lower limits can be combined as appropriate. Also, if the vehicle glass 1 is laminated glass, the above thickness may be read as the total thickness of the laminated glass.

[0020] The light-shielding layer 18 is a layer that shields visible light (wavelength 380 nm to 830 nm). The light-shielding layer 18 may be provided in a band shape along the periphery of the vehicle glass 1. This suppresses the deterioration of aesthetics due to refraction of the glass substrate. The light-shielding layer 18 is also a layer that shields ultraviolet rays (wavelength 300 nm to 380 nm). This suppresses the exposure of components that are susceptible to deterioration by ultraviolet rays (for example, the intermediate layer 16 and the adhesive layers 50 and 52 described later) to sunlight. Preferably, the light-shielding layer 18 also shields infrared rays (wavelength 830 nm to 2000 nm). Shielding is achieved, for example, by absorbing the target light ray. For example, the visible light transmittance and ultraviolet light transmittance of the light-shielding layer 18 are 5% or less, preferably 3% or less, more preferably 1% or less, and even more preferably substantially 0%. The degree of shielding may vary depending on the wavelength of the light ray. The transmittance of light at each wavelength can be measured, for example, using an ultraviolet-visible-near-infrared spectrophotometer (manufactured by Hitachi High-Tech Corporation, product name: U-4100).

[0021] The light-shielding layer 18 is configured as a substantially opaque layer. For example, a ceramic light-shielding layer or a light-shielding film can be used as the light-shielding layer 18. As a ceramic light-shielding layer, for example, a ceramic layer made of a conventionally known material such as a black ceramic layer can be used. As a light-shielding film, for example, a light-shielding polyethylene terephthalate (PET) film, a light-shielding polyethylene naphthalate (PEN) film, a light-shielding polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) film, etc. can be used. The light-shielding layer 18 includes one surface 18A (the surface on the Z1 direction side) and the other surface 18B (the surface on the Z2 direction side). In the example of Figure 3, one surface 18A is in contact with and fixed to the other surface 14B of the second glass substrate 14, but it is not limited to this. For example, the light-shielding layer 18 may be provided on the surface 12B of the first glass substrate 12. In this case, the light-shielding layer 18 may not be provided on the second glass substrate 14. In other words, the light-shielding layer 18 may be provided on the surface 14B of the second glass substrate 14, on the surface 12B of the first glass substrate 12, or on both surfaces 14B and 12B.

[0022] In this embodiment, the side of the vehicle glass 1 on which the light-shielding layer 18 is provided is the interior side (Z2 direction side), and the first glass substrate 12 is the exterior side (Z1 direction side). However, it is not limited to this, and the light-shielding layer 18 may be provided on the exterior side of the vehicle V. If the vehicle glass 1 is made of laminated glass of a first glass substrate 12 and a second glass substrate 14, the light-shielding layer 18 may be formed between the first glass substrate 12 and the second glass substrate 14. That is, the light-shielding layer 18 may be formed on, for example, the surface 12B or the surface 14A, or a part of the intermediate layer 16 may be the light-shielding layer 18. If a part of the intermediate layer 16 is the light-shielding layer 18, a part of the intermediate layer 16 may be colored with a dark pigment, or a layer containing a dark pigment may be provided in a part of the intermediate layer 16.

[0023] The light-shielding region A2 is formed by providing a light-shielding layer 18 on the glass member 10. In other words, the light-shielding region A2 is the region in which the glass member 10 is equipped with the light-shielding layer 18. Specifically, the light-shielding region A2 is the region in which the first glass substrate 12, the intermediate layer 16, the second glass substrate 14, and the light-shielding layer 18 are laminated. On the other hand, the light-transmitting region A1 is the region in which the glass member 10 is not equipped with the light-shielding layer 18. Specifically, the light-transmitting region A1 is the region in which the first glass substrate 12, the intermediate layer 16, and the second glass substrate 14 are laminated, but the light-shielding layer 18 is not laminated. As described above, the light-shielding region A2 blocks ultraviolet rays with the light-shielding layer 18. The ultraviolet transmittance of the light-shielding region A2 is lower than that of the region without the light-shielding layer 18 (light-transmitting region A1, far-infrared transmitting region B, and visible light transmitting region C).

[0024] As shown in Figure 4, the visible light transmission region C, like the light-transmitting region A1, is a region in the Z direction where the glass member 10 does not have a light-shielding layer 18. That is, the visible light transmission region C is a region where the first glass substrate 12, the intermediate layer 16, and the second glass substrate 14 are laminated, and the light-shielding layer 18 is not laminated.

[0025] (Far-infrared transmitting unit) The vehicle glass 1 has a far-infrared transmitting unit U. Specifically, the vehicle glass 1 has an opening 19 formed in the glass member 10, and the far-infrared transmitting unit U is provided in the opening 19. The opening 19 is an opening that penetrates from the inner surface 10B (surface 18B in the Z2 direction) of the glass member 10 to the outer surface 10A (surface 12A in the Z1 direction). The opening 19 is formed in the light-shielding region A2a. The light-shielding region A2a surrounds the opening 19. The region where the opening 19 is formed and the far-infrared transmitting unit U is provided is the far-infrared transmitting region B. The far-infrared transmitting region B does not have a light-shielding layer 18. That is, in the far-infrared transmitting region B, the first glass substrate 12, the intermediate layer 16, the second glass substrate 14, and the light-shielding layer 18 are not provided, and the far-infrared transmitting unit U is provided in the formed opening 19.

[0026] The far-infrared transmission unit U comprises a transmission member 20, a frame member 30 provided on the periphery of the transmission member 20, an adhesive layer 50 for bonding the frame member 30 and the glass member 10, and an adhesive layer 52 for bonding the transmission member 20 and the frame member 30. Note that the frame member 30 and the adhesive layers 50 and 52 are not essential components, and the transmission member 20 may be directly attached to the glass member 10. In the following description, when the transmission member 20 is viewed from the Z direction, the direction toward the geometric center of the transmission member 20 (opening 19) may be described as the radially inward direction, and the direction away from the geometric center may be described as the radially outward direction.

[0027] (Transmitting Member) The transmitting member 20 is positioned inside the opening 19 and transmits far-infrared rays. The average transmittance of far-infrared rays with wavelengths of 8 μm to 13 μm is higher for the transmitting member 20 than for the glass member 10. The average transmittance of far-infrared rays with wavelengths of 8 μm to 13 μm is higher for the transmitting member 20 than for the frame member 30. Preferably, the average transmittance of far-infrared rays with wavelengths of 8 μm to 13 μm for the transmitting member 20 is 25% or more, more preferably 40% or more, even more preferably 50% or more, even more preferably 70% or more, and particularly preferably 85% or more. Furthermore, it is preferable that the average transmittance of far-infrared rays with wavelengths of 8 μm to 13 μm for the transmitting member 20 is 100% or less. In order to make the average transmittance of far-infrared rays 85% or more, it is preferable to provide an anti-reflective coating. When the average transmittance of far-infrared rays is within this numerical range, far-infrared rays are transmitted appropriately, and the performance of the far-infrared camera CA1 can be fully demonstrated. Furthermore, the transmittance of far-infrared rays can be measured, for example, using a Fourier transform infrared spectrometer (manufactured by ThermoScientific, product name: Nicolet iS10).

[0028] The material of the transmission member 20 is not particularly limited, and examples thereof include ZnS, Ge, Si, chalcogenide glass, etc. A preferable composition of the chalcogenide glass is, in atomic % representation, Ge + Ga: 7% to 25%, Sb: 0% to 35%, Bi: 0% to 20%, Zn: 0% to 20%, Sn: 0% to 20%, Si: 0% to 20%, La: 0% to 20%, S + Se + Te: 55% to 80%, Ti: 0.005% to 0.3%, Li + Na + K + Cs: 0% to 20%, F + Cl + Br + I: 0% to 20%. And this glass preferably has a glass transition point (Tg) of 140°C to 550°C. The transmission member 20 more preferably has at least one of Si and Ge as a main component, and even more preferably has Si as a main component. When the transmission member 20 has Si or Ge as a main component, an oxide layer (a layer of silicon oxide or germanium oxide) of the main component may be formed on the surface. Note that the main component in the present embodiment may refer to a content rate of 50% by mass or more with respect to the entire target member, preferably 70% by mass or more, and more preferably 90% by mass or more.

[0029] The transmission member 20 may be coated on the surface 20A on the Z1 direction side or the surface 20B on the Z2 direction side. For example, an antireflection film may be provided on the surface 20A. As the antireflection film, an antireflection film of 3 to 12 layers is preferable, and the material is not particularly limited, and examples include Ge, Si, ZnS, ZnSe, As ｘ S ｙ 、As ｘ Se ｙ 、metal oxides (Al ｘ O ｙ 、Bi ｘ O ｙ 、CeO ｘ 、CuO, HfO ｘ 、MgO, SiO, SiO ｘ 、NiO, TiO, TiO ｘ 、Ti ｘ O ｙ 、Y ｘ O ｙ 、ZrO ｘ), carbon hydride, diamond-like carbon (DLC), metal fluoride (MgF ｘ CaF ｘ SrF ｘ BaF ｘ PbF ｘ LaF ｘ YF ｘ ) is preferable (x, y are any positive numbers). The layer on the Z1 side of the anti-reflective coating is preferably a film with a Mohs hardness of 7 or higher and high far-infrared transmittance, from the viewpoint of scratch resistance. The layer on the Z1 side of the anti-reflective coating is ZrO ｘ It is particularly preferable that it be a membrane.

[0030] From the viewpoint of strength, the thickness of the permeable member 20 is preferably 1.0 mm or more, more preferably 1.5 mm or more, and even more preferably 2.0 mm or more. The upper limit of the thickness of the permeable member 20 is not particularly limited, but is usually 5.0 mm or less. Here, thickness refers to the length of the permeable member 20 in the Z direction.

[0031] (Frame Member) As shown in Figure 3, the frame member 30 is provided within the opening 19 of the glass member 10 and is a member that fixes the transparent member 20 within the opening 19. The frame member 30 will be described in detail below.

[0032] As shown in Figure 3, the frame member 30 has a wall portion 31, a fixing portion 32, and a support portion 33. The wall portion 31 is the portion provided between the inner circumferential surface of the opening 19 and the outer circumferential surface (end face) 21 of the transparent member 20. The fixing portion 32 is the portion that protrudes radially outward from the wall portion 31 and supports the surface 10B of the glass member 10 on the Z2 direction side. The support portion 33 is the portion that protrudes radially inward from the wall portion 31 and supports the surface 20B of the transparent member 20. The frame member 30 may be composed of a single member or of multiple members. A frame member 30 composed of multiple members may, for example, include a first member including the wall portion 31 and the support portion 33, and a second member including the fixing portion 32. A frame member 30 composed of multiple members may, for example, be composed of a first member on the Z1 direction side and a second member on the Z2 direction side. The frame member 30 may be composed of three or more members. In this embodiment, the frame member 30 is composed of a single member including a wall portion 31, a fixing portion 32, and a support portion 33.

[0033] The wall portion 31 is formed in a cylindrical shape surrounding the outer peripheral surface 21 of the transmissive member 20. The wall portion 31 is disposed in the radial direction between the outer peripheral surface 21 of the transmissive member 20 and the inner peripheral surface at the opening 19 of the glass member 10. The length of the wall portion 31 in the Z direction, that is, the length in the Z direction from the end face 31A on the Z1 direction side to the end face 31B on the Z2 direction side of the wall portion 31, is preferably not less than the total thickness of the glass member 10. Further, the end face 31A of the wall portion 31 is exposed on the Z1 direction side (outside the vehicle) within the opening 19. The end face 31A of the wall portion 31 is preferably flush with the surface 10A of the glass member 10. Here, being flush does not necessarily mean that the positions of the end face 31A and the surface 10A in the Z direction are exactly the same, and may refer to the step in the Z direction between the end face 31A and the surface 10A being 0.3 mm or less.

[0034] More specifically, in the present embodiment, the step (distance in the Z direction) between the end face 31A of the frame member 30 and the surface 20A of the transmissive member 20 is preferably 0.3 mm or less, more preferably 0.2 mm or less, still more preferably 0.15 mm or less, and even more preferably 0.1 mm or less. The step (distance in the Z direction) between the end face 31A of the frame member 30 and the surface 10A of the glass member 10 is preferably 1.0 mm or less, more preferably 0.5 mm or less, still more preferably 0.3 mm or less, even more preferably 0.15 mm or less, and even more preferably 0.1 mm or less. Thereby, when the wiper wipes the outer surface of the vehicle glass 1, wear of the wiper can be suppressed. The step can be measured from the obtained step profile by irradiating, for example, a laser displacement meter (manufactured by Keyence Corporation, in-line profile measuring instrument: LJ-X8200) within the region surrounded by a line segment 10 mm radially inward from the inner peripheral edge of the end face 31A of the frame member 30 and a line segment 10 mm radially outward from the outer peripheral edge of the end face 31A of the frame member 30, among the entire regions of the end face 31A of the frame member 30, the surface 10A of the glass member 10, and the surface 20A of the transmissive member 20.

[0035] The support portion 33 is formed to project radially inward from the inner peripheral surface of the wall portion 31. The support portion 33 is provided over the entire circumference in the circumferential direction of the inner peripheral surface of the wall portion 31, and in other words, it is in a ring shape (flange shape). However, it is not limited thereto, and the support portion 33 may be provided only in a partial section in the circumferential direction of the inner peripheral surface of the wall portion 31, and a plurality of support portions 33 provided in the partial section may be arranged side by side in the circumferential direction.

[0036] The support portion 33 is located on the Z2-direction side with respect to the end surface 31A of the wall portion 31. Also, in the example of FIG. 3, the support portion 33 is provided over the entire area on the Z2-direction side of the inner peripheral surface of the wall portion 31 with respect to the end surface 31A, and the surface on the Z2-direction side of the support portion 33 is at the same position as the end surface 31B of the wall portion 31 in the Z direction. However, it is not limited thereto, and the support portion 33 may be located on the Z2-direction side with respect to the end surface 31A and on the Z1-direction side with respect to the end surface 31B.

[0037] The support portion 33 extends from the inner peripheral surface of the wall portion 31 to radially inside of the outer peripheral surface 21 of the transmissive member 20. When the frame member 30 is attached to the transmissive member 20, the support portion 33 is disposed on the Z2-direction side with respect to the surface 20B of the transmissive member 20 and overlaps the surface 20B of the transmissive member 20 in the Z direction. An adhesive layer 52 is provided between the support portion 33 and the surface 20B of the transmissive member 20, and the support portion 33 is adhered to the surface 20B of the transmissive member 20 via the adhesive layer 52.

[0038] The fixing portion 32 is formed to project radially outward from the outer peripheral surface of the wall portion 31. The fixing portion 32 is located on the Z2-direction side with respect to the surface in the Z1 direction of the support portion 33 (the surface on which the transmissive member 20 is supported), and in other words, the fixing portion 32 projects radially outward from the portion on the Z2-direction side of the outer peripheral surface of the wall portion 31 (the portion of the end surface 31B). The fixing portion 32 is provided over the entire circumference in the circumferential direction of the outer peripheral surface of the wall portion 31, and in other words, it is in a ring shape (flange shape). However, it is not limited thereto, and the fixing portion 32 may be provided only in a partial section in the circumferential direction of the outer peripheral surface of the wall portion 31, and a plurality of fixing portions 32 provided in the partial section may be arranged side by side in the circumferential direction.

[0039] The fixing portion 32 extends from the outer peripheral surface of the wall portion 31 to radially outward from the inner peripheral surface of the opening 19 of the glass member 10. When the frame member 30 is attached to the glass member 10, the fixing portion 32 is positioned on the Z2 side relative to the Z2 side surface 10B of the glass member 10 (the surface 18B of the light-shielding layer 18 in the example of Figure 3), and overlaps with the surface 10B in the Z direction. An adhesive layer 50 is provided between the fixing portion 32 and the surface 10B of the glass member 10, and the fixing portion 32 is bonded to the surface 10B of the glass member 10 via the adhesive layer 50.

[0040] The constituent material of the frame member 30 is not particularly limited. At least a portion of the frame member 30 may be made of resins such as ABS (Acrylonitrile butadiene styrene) resin, AES (Acrylonitrile ethylene styrene) resin, rigid polyvinyl chloride (rigid PVC), polystyrene (PS), polyamide (PA), polycarbonate (PC), polyphenylene sulfide (PPS), and polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE). When the frame member 30 is made of a thermoplastic resin such as ABS, AES, or rigid polyvinyl chloride, a molding method such as injection molding can be applied. At least a portion of the frame member 30 may be formed from an elastomer such as ethylene propylene monomer (EPDM), flexible polyvinyl chloride (flexible PVC), thermoplastic polyvinyl elastomer (TPVC), thermoplastic polyethylene elastomer (TPE), thermoplastic polyamide elastomer (TPAE), fluorinated ethylene propylene (FEP), vinylidene fluoride fluororubber (FKM), tetrafluoroethylene-purple vinyl ether fluororubber (FFKM), or silicone rubber. Here, FKM and FFKM are elastomers defined in ASTM:D1418. By using an elastomer as a constituent material of the frame member 30, the watertightness between the glass member 10 and the permeable member 20 can be improved.Furthermore, at least a portion of the frame member 30 may be formed from a fluororesin such as ETFE (Ethylene tetrafluoroethylene) or PFA (Perfluoroalkoxy alkanes). ETFE is a copolymer having units derived from ethylene and units derived from tetrafluoroethylene. ETFE may further contain units derived from a monomer having adhesive functional groups as a third component. PFA is a copolymer having units derived from tetrafluoroethylene and units derived from perfluoro(alkyl vinyl ether). PFA may further contain units derived from a monomer having adhesive functional groups as a third component. ETFE and PFA are preferred as constituent materials for the frame member 30 due to their excellent moldability, and the adhesion is further improved by including an adhesive third component. As the monomer having adhesive functional groups, monomers having carboxyl groups, acid anhydride groups, or carboxylic acid halide groups are preferred, and unsaturated dicarboxylic acid anhydrides are more preferred. Examples of unsaturated dicarboxylic acid anhydrides include itaconic anhydride, citraconic anhydride, 5-norbornene-2,3-dicarboxylic acid anhydride (Hymic anhydride), and maleic anhydride. Monomers having adhesive functional groups may have one adhesive functional group alone or two or more. ETFE may optionally have units derived from ethylene, TFE, and other monomers other than monomers having adhesive functional groups. Examples of other monomers include fluoroolefins (excluding tetrafluoroethylene) and fluoro(alkyl vinyl ethers). PFA may optionally have units derived from TFE, perfluoro(alkyl vinyl ethers), and other monomers other than monomers having adhesive functional groups. Examples of other monomers include fluoroolefins (excluding tetrafluoroethylene). Furthermore, the frame member 30 is preferably black. This improves aesthetics.

[0041] Furthermore, the adhesive layers 50 and 52 are layers composed of resin adhesives. The adhesive layers 50 and 52 are preferably cured urethane adhesives or modified silicone adhesives, and more preferably cured urethane adhesives. The constituent material of the adhesive layer 52 is not particularly limited. For example, the adhesive layer 52 is preferably cured urethane adhesive or modified silicone adhesive, and more preferably an adhesive that can be applied as a primer when integrally molding (insert molding) the permeable member 20 and the frame member 30. The adhesive layer 52 is even more preferably composed of a silane coupling agent. The silane coupling agent is a compound containing silicon and having an organic reaction site that reacts with an organic material and an inorganic reaction site that reacts with an inorganic material.

[0042] (Shape of the opening in the glass member) Next, the shape of the opening 19 in the glass member 10 into which the far-infrared transmission unit U described above is inserted will be specifically described. Figure 5 is a schematic enlarged cross-sectional view of the glass member according to this embodiment. Figure 5 shows a cross-section of the glass member 10 perpendicular to the direction perpendicular to the Z direction (the X direction in this example) and passing through the center of the opening 19.

[0043] As shown in Figure 5, since the glass member 10 according to this embodiment is laminated glass, the opening 19 penetrates from the surface 12A of the first glass substrate 12 to the surface 14B of the second glass substrate 14. That is, if the inner circumferential surface of the opening 19 of the glass member 10 is called the inner circumferential surface 19C, then the inner circumferential surface 19C includes the inner circumferential surface 12C of the opening of the first glass substrate 12, the inner circumferential surface 16C of the opening of the intermediate layer 16, and the inner circumferential surface 14C of the opening of the second glass substrate 14.

[0044] In this embodiment, the shape of the opening 19 when viewed from the Z direction is circular, but its shape may be arbitrary, and it may be elliptical or polygonal (for example, trapezoidal).

[0045] The inner diameter of the opening 19 (the diameter of the inner circumferential surface 19C) is not constant in the Z direction. That is, the inner diameter of the opening 19 differs at different positions in the Z direction, and it can be said that the inner diameters at at least two different positions in the Z direction are different from each other. In other words, the opening area of ​​the opening 19 is not constant in the Z direction, and the opening area of ​​the opening 19 differs at different positions in the Z direction. This non-constant inner diameter prevents the permeable member 20 (frame member 30) from slipping out of the opening 19 due to the wedge effect, thereby suppressing displacement of the permeable member 20 in the Z direction. Note that an equivalent circle is defined as a circle with the same area as the opening area of ​​the opening 19 in a cross section of the glass member 10 perpendicular to the Z direction. In this case, the inner diameter of the opening 19 may refer to the diameter of the equivalent circle. That is, for example, the inner diameter of the opening 19 at the central position in the Z direction refers to the diameter of an equivalent circle with the same area as the opening area of ​​the opening 19 at the central position in the Z direction. Furthermore, the inner diameter of the opening 19 can be rephrased as the length of the inner circumference of the opening 19. In other words, as described above, the length of the inner circumference of the opening 19 is not constant in the Z direction.

[0046] The opening 19 may have any shape in which the inner diameter (length of the inner circumference) is not constant in the Z direction, but as shown in Figure 5, in this embodiment, the inner diameter decreases as it moves toward the Z2 direction. More specifically, the opening 19 has a shape in which the inner diameter decreases as it moves toward the Z2 direction over its entire length from the end on the Z1 side (the location of the surface 10A) to the end on the Z2 side (the location of the surface 10B). However, it is not limited to this, and the opening 19 may have a shape in which the inner diameter decreases as it moves toward the Z2 direction only in a portion of the section from the end on the Z1 side to the end on the Z2 side. By decreasing the diameter toward the Z2 direction in this way, the wedge effect can be used to appropriately suppress the shifting of the transparent member 20 (frame member 30) toward the Z2 direction from the opening 19. Furthermore, in this embodiment, since the fixing portion 32 of the frame member 30 is bonded to the surface 10B of the glass member 10 via the adhesive layer 50, the shifting of the transparent member 20 (frame member 30) toward the Z1 direction can be suppressed. Therefore, according to this embodiment, displacement of the transparent member 20 (frame member 30) in both the Z1 and Z2 directions can be appropriately suppressed.

[0047] Here, the minimum diameter of the opening 19 is defined as the inner diameter at the position where the inner diameter is smallest among the various positions of the opening 19 in the Z direction. The maximum diameter of the opening 19 is defined as the inner diameter at the position where the inner diameter is largest among the various positions of the opening 19 in the Z direction. That is, in the example of Figure 5, the inner diameter of the opening 19 on surface 10B is the minimum diameter, and the inner diameter of the opening 19 on surface 10A is the maximum diameter. In this case, the difference between the maximum and minimum diameters of the opening 19 is preferably 3 mm or less, more preferably 1 mm or less, and even more preferably 0.5 mm or less. Furthermore, the difference between the maximum and minimum diameters of the opening 19 is preferably 0.05 mm or more, more preferably 0.1 mm or more, and even more preferably 0.2 mm or more. In this embodiment, the lower limit and upper limit may be combined as appropriate. By having the lower limit of the difference between the maximum and minimum diameters be within this range, the wedge effect can be appropriately exerted to suppress displacement of the permeable member 20 (frame member 30). Furthermore, by limiting the upper limit of the difference between the maximum and minimum diameters to this range, it is possible to prevent difficulty in inserting the frame member 30 into the opening 19.

[0048] Furthermore, the minimum diameter of the opening 19 is preferably 81 mm or less, more preferably 71 mm or less, even more preferably 66 mm or less, and even more preferably 51 mm or less. Also, the minimum diameter of the opening 19 is preferably 26 mm or more, more preferably 31 mm or more, and even more preferably 36 mm or more. By having the lower limit of the diameter of the opening 19 within this range, far-infrared rays can be appropriately taken into the interior of the vehicle. Also, by having the upper limit of the diameter of the opening 19 within this range, a decrease in the strength of the glass member 10 can be suppressed.

[0049] The taper angle θ1 of the opening 19 is preferably 30° or less, more preferably 10° or less, and even more preferably 5° or less. Furthermore, the taper angle θ1 of the opening 19 is preferably 1° or more, more preferably 2° or more, and even more preferably 3° or more. By having the lower limit of the taper angle θ1 within this range, the wedge effect can be appropriately exerted to suppress displacement of the permeable member 20 (frame member 30). Furthermore, by having the upper limit of the taper angle θ1 within this range, it is possible to suppress the difficulty in inserting the frame member 30 into the opening 19. Note that the taper angle θ1 here is the angle between the line along the inner circumferential surface 19C of the opening 19 and the center line of the opening 19 along the Z direction, when viewed from a direction perpendicular to the Z direction, that is, in a cross-sectional view as shown in Figure 5.

[0050] Furthermore, it is preferable to form a chamfered portion 10D at the boundary between the inner circumferential surface 19C (inner circumferential surface 14C) of the opening 19 and the surface 10B of the glass member 10. The chamfered portion 10D is a chamfered surface that connects the surface 10B and the inner circumferential surface 19C. The chamfered portion 10D is flat (i.e., C-chamfer) when viewed from a direction perpendicular to the Z direction, that is, in a cross-sectional view as shown in Figure 5, but is not limited to this, and may be curved (i.e., R-chamfer). The chamfer angle θ2 of the chamfered portion 10D is preferably 90° or less, more preferably 60° or less, and even more preferably 30° or less. Also, the chamfer angle θ2 of the chamfered portion 10D is preferably 1° or more, more preferably 3° or more, and even more preferably 10° or more. Although chipping may occur at the edge due to the tapered shape of the inner circumferential surface 19C, chipping can be suppressed by providing a chamfered portion 10D with such a chamfer angle θ2. The chamfer angle θ2 here refers to the angle between the line along the inner circumferential surface 19C of the opening 19 and the line along the chamfered portion 10D, when viewed from a direction perpendicular to the Z direction, that is, in a cross-sectional view as shown in Figure 5.

[0051] In this embodiment, the chamfered portion 10D is formed at the boundary between the inner circumferential surface 19C (inner circumferential surface 14C) and the outer surface 10B, but it may also be formed at the boundary between the inner circumferential surface 19C (inner circumferential surface 12C) and the outer surface 10A. That is, the chamfered portion 10D may be provided at either the boundary between the inner circumferential surface 19C and the outer surface 10B, or at the boundary between the inner circumferential surface 19C and the outer surface 10A, or at both.

[0052] (Shape of the frame member) Next, the shape of the frame member 30, which is placed inside the opening 19, will be described in detail. As shown in Figure 5, the frame member 30 is provided inside the opening 19 such that the outer peripheral surface 31C of the wall portion 31 faces the inner peripheral surface 19C of the opening 19. In Figure 5, for the sake of explanation, the outer peripheral surface 31C of the wall portion 31 and the inner peripheral surface 19C of the opening 19 are shown to be separated and not in contact, but this is not limited to this configuration, and the outer peripheral surface 31C and the inner peripheral surface 19C may be in contact.

[0053] In this embodiment, the peripheral shape of the outer surface 31C of the frame member 30, when viewed from the Z direction, is circular, but its shape may be arbitrary, and it may be elliptical or polygonal (for example, trapezoidal). The peripheral shape of the outer surface 31C of the frame member 30 is shaped to match the shape of the opening 19.

[0054] The outer diameter of the frame member 30 (the diameter of the outer circumferential surface 31C) is not constant in the Z direction. That is, the outer diameter of the frame member 30 differs at different positions in the Z direction, and it can be said that the outer diameters at at least two different positions in the Z direction are different from each other. In other words, the area of ​​the region surrounded by the periphery of the outer circumferential surface 31C of the frame member 30 is not constant in the Z direction, and differs at different positions in the Z direction. This non-constant outer diameter suppresses the wedge effect, preventing the permeable member 20 (frame member 30) from slipping out of the opening 19, thereby suppressing displacement of the permeable member 20 in the Z direction. Note that an equivalent circle is defined as a circle with the same area as the region surrounded by the periphery of the outer circumferential surface 31C in a cross section of the frame member 30 perpendicular to the Z direction. In this case, the outer diameter of the frame member 30 may refer to the diameter of the equivalent circle. For example, the outer diameter of the frame member 30 at the central position in the Z direction refers to the diameter of the equivalent circle with the same area as the region surrounded by the periphery of the outer circumferential surface 31C at the central position in the Z direction. Furthermore, the outer diameter of the frame member 30 refers to the diameter of the outer peripheral surface 31C of the wall portion 31, and does not refer to the outer diameter of the fixing portion 32 that protrudes radially outward from the wall portion 31. Also, the outer diameter of the frame member 30 here can be rephrased as the length of the outer circumference of the frame member 30. In other words, as described above, the length of the outer circumference of the frame member 30 can be rephrased as not being constant in the Z direction.

[0055] The frame member 30 may have any shape in which the outer diameter is not constant in the Z direction, but as shown in Figure 5, in this embodiment, the outer diameter decreases as it moves toward the Z2 direction. More specifically, the frame member 30 has a shape in which the outer diameter decreases as it moves toward the Z2 direction over its entire length from the end on the Z1 side (the location of the end face 31A) to the end on the Z2 side (the location of the end face 31B). However, it is not limited to this, and the frame member 30 may have a shape in which the outer diameter decreases as it moves toward the Z2 direction only in a portion of the section from the end on the Z1 side to the end on the Z2 side. By decreasing the diameter in the Z2 direction in this way, the wedge effect can be used to appropriately suppress the shifting of the transparent member 20 (frame member 30) toward the Z2 direction from the opening 19. Furthermore, in this embodiment, since the fixing portion 32 of the frame member 30 is bonded to the surface 10B of the glass member 10 via the adhesive layer 50, the shifting of the transparent member 20 (frame member 30) toward the Z1 direction can be suppressed. Therefore, according to this embodiment, displacement of the transparent member 20 (frame member 30) in both the Z1 and Z2 directions can be appropriately suppressed.

[0056] Here, the outer diameter at the position where the outer diameter is smallest among the various positions of the frame member 30 in the Z direction is defined as the minimum diameter of the frame member 30. Also, the outer diameter at the position where the outer diameter is largest among the various positions of the frame member 30 in the Z direction is defined as the maximum diameter of the frame member 30. In this case, the difference between the maximum and minimum diameters of the frame member 30 is preferably 3 mm or less, more preferably 1 mm or less, and even more preferably 0.5 mm or less. Furthermore, the difference between the maximum and minimum diameters of the frame member 30 is preferably 0.05 mm or more, more preferably 0.1 mm or more, and even more preferably 0.2 mm or more. By having the lower limit of the difference between the maximum and minimum diameters within this range, the wedge effect can be appropriately exerted to suppress displacement of the permeable member 20 (frame member 30). Furthermore, by having the upper limit of the difference between the maximum and minimum diameters within this range, it is possible to suppress the difficulty in inserting the frame member 30 into the opening 19.

[0057] Furthermore, the minimum diameter of the frame member 30 is preferably 81 mm or less, more preferably 71 mm or less, even more preferably 66 mm or less, and even more preferably 51 mm or less. Furthermore, the minimum diameter of the frame member 30 is preferably 26 mm or more, more preferably 31 mm or more, and even more preferably 36 mm or more.

[0058] The taper angle θ3 of the frame member 30 is preferably 30° or less, more preferably 10° or less, and even more preferably 5° or less. Furthermore, the taper angle θ3 of the frame member 30 is preferably 1° or more, more preferably 2° or more, and even more preferably 3° or more. By having the lower limit of the taper angle θ3 within this range, the wedge effect can be appropriately exerted to suppress displacement of the permeable member 20 (frame member 30). Furthermore, by having the upper limit of the taper angle θ3 within this range, it is possible to suppress the difficulty in inserting the frame member 30 into the opening 19. Note that the taper angle θ3 here is the angle between the line along the outer circumferential surface 31C of the frame member 30 and the center line of the opening 19 (frame member 30) along the Z direction, when viewed from a direction perpendicular to the Z direction, that is, in a cross-sectional view as shown in Figure 5.

[0059] Here, the inner circumferential surface of the frame member 30 on the Z1 direction side of the support portion 33's Z1 direction side surface 33A (the surface that supports the transparent member 20) is defined as the inner circumferential surface 31D. The inner circumferential surface 31D can also be called the inner circumferential surface of the wall portion 31, and is the inner circumferential surface of the frame member 30 at the location where the transparent member 20 is inserted. The transparent member 20 is provided within the frame member 30 such that its outer circumferential surface 21 faces the inner circumferential surface 31D of the frame member 30. The shape of the inner circumferential surface 31D of the frame member 30 can be arbitrary, but in this embodiment, the inner diameter of the inner circumferential surface 31D of the frame member 30 is constant in the Z direction. Similarly, the outer diameter of the outer circumferential surface 21 of the transparent member 20 is constant in the Z direction.

[0060] The inner diameter of the inner circumferential surface 31D of the frame member 30 is preferably 80 mm or less, more preferably 70 mm or less, even more preferably 65 mm or less, and even more preferably 50 mm or less. The inner diameter of the inner circumferential surface 31D of the frame member 30 is preferably 25 mm or more, more preferably 30 mm or more, and even more preferably 35 mm or more. The outer diameter of the outer circumferential surface 21 of the transmissive member 20 is preferably 80 mm or less, more preferably 70 mm or less, even more preferably 65 mm or less, and even more preferably 50 mm or less. The outer diameter of the outer circumferential surface 21 of the transmissive member 20 is preferably 25 mm or more, more preferably 30 mm or more, and even more preferably 35 mm or more. By having the inner diameter of the frame member 30 and the outer diameter of the transmissive member 20 within this range, far-infrared rays can be appropriately taken into the interior of the vehicle. Note that if the inner diameter of the frame member 30 is not constant in the Z direction, the inner diameter of the frame member 30 described above may refer to the minimum diameter (the inner diameter at the position where the inner diameter is smallest). Similarly, if the outer diameter of the transparent member 20 is not constant in the Z direction, the outer diameter of the transparent member 20 may refer to the minimum diameter (the outer diameter at the position where the outer diameter is smallest). Also, the inner diameter and outer diameter here refer to the diameter of the equivalent circle.

[0061] (Far-infrared transmission region) Next, the far-infrared transmission region B will be described. As shown in Figure 2, the far-infrared transmission region B is formed near the upper edge 1a of the vehicle glass 1 in the Y direction and near the center of the vehicle glass 1 in the X direction. The opening 19 and the transmission member 20 are formed near the upper edge 1a of the vehicle glass 1 in the Y direction and near the center of the vehicle glass 1 in the X direction.

[0062] (Visible Light Transmission Region) Next, the visible light transmission region C will be described. As shown in Figure 2, it is preferable that the visible light transmission region C be located near the far-infrared transmission region B. Specifically, the center of the far-infrared transmission region B as viewed from the Z direction is defined as the center point OB, and the center of the visible light transmission region C as viewed from the Z direction is defined as the center point OC. If the shortest distance between the far-infrared transmission region B (aperture 19) and the visible light transmission region C as viewed from the Z direction is defined as distance L, then it is preferable that distance L is greater than 0 mm and 100 mm or less, and more preferably 10 mm or more and 80 mm or less. By positioning the visible light transmission region C within this range relative to the far-infrared transmission region B, it is possible to capture images at close range with the far-infrared camera CA1 and the visible light camera CA2, while suppressing the amount of transmission distortion in the visible light transmission region C, and enabling the visible light camera CA2 to capture images appropriately. By capturing images of nearby locations with the far-infrared camera CA1 and the visible-light camera CA2, the processing load on the data obtained from each camera is reduced, and the routing of power and signal cables is also optimized.

[0063] It is preferable that the visible light transmission region C and the far-infrared transmission region B are located side by side in the X direction. That is, it is preferable that the visible light transmission region C is not located on the Y-direction side of the far-infrared transmission region B, but is aligned with the far-infrared transmission region B in the X direction. By arranging the visible light transmission region C side by side with the far-infrared transmission region B in the X direction, the visible light transmission region C can be positioned near the upper edge 1a. Therefore, the driver's field of view in the light-transmitting region A1 can be appropriately secured.

[0064] Preferably, the visible light transmission region C is located near the upper edge 1a in the Y direction and near the far infrared transmission region B in the X direction, similar to the far infrared transmission region B. By positioning the visible light transmission region C in this location, it is possible to capture images of close positions with the far infrared camera CA1 and the visible light camera CA2, while suppressing the amount of transmission distortion in the visible light transmission region C, allowing the visible light camera CA2 to capture images appropriately.

[0065] (Camera Unit Configuration) Next, the configuration of the camera unit 100, more specifically, an example of the configuration when the far-infrared camera CA1 is attached to the vehicle glass 1, will be described. Figure 6 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration when the far-infrared camera is attached to the vehicle glass.

[0066] As shown in Figure 6, the far-infrared camera CA1 is mounted on the vehicle glass 1 so as to be able to capture an external thermal image through the far-infrared transmission region B of the vehicle glass 1. The far-infrared camera CA1 is installed inside the vehicle V (inside the vehicle) at a position facing the far-infrared transmission region B. The type of far-infrared camera CA1 is not particularly limited, and any known far-infrared camera can be used. As shown in Figure 6, the far-infrared camera CA1 is mounted on the vehicle glass 1 by, for example, a bracket 40. The far-infrared camera CA1 is usually mounted so that the optical axis LX is approximately horizontal.

[0067] The visible light camera CA2 is mounted on the vehicle glass 1 so that it can capture images of the outside through the visible light transmission area C of the vehicle glass 1. The visible light camera CA2 is installed inside the vehicle V (inside the vehicle) at a position facing the visible light transmission area C. It is preferable that the visible light camera CA2 is mounted so that the optical axis LX of the far infrared camera CA1 and the optical axis of the visible light camera CA2 are approximately parallel. Approximately parallel is a concept that includes not only cases where these optical axes are perfectly parallel, but also cases where they are slightly deviated from parallel by an error margin. By doing so, the optical axis LX of the far infrared camera CA1 and the center of the field of view of the visible light camera CA2 almost coincide, which is preferable when combining images obtained from these cameras for information processing.

[0068] (Other Examples) Next, other examples of this embodiment will be described. Figures 7 to 9 are schematic enlarged cross-sectional views of the glass member according to this embodiment. In the following other examples, parts that have the same configuration as this embodiment will not be described.

[0069] (Another example 1) As shown in Figure 7, in this example, the opening 19 has a shape in which the inner diameter decreases as it moves toward the Z1 direction. More specifically, the opening 19 has a shape in which the inner diameter decreases as it moves toward the Z1 direction throughout its entire length from the end on the Z1 side to the end on the Z2 side, but it is not limited to this, and the shape in which the inner diameter decreases as it moves toward the Z1 direction may be limited to only a portion of the section from the end on the Z1 side to the end on the Z2 side.

[0070] Similarly, in this example, the frame member 30 has a shape in which the outer diameter decreases as it moves toward the Z1 direction. More specifically, the frame member 30 has a shape in which the outer diameter decreases as it moves toward the Z1 direction over its entire length from the end on the Z1 side to the end on the Z2 side, but it is not limited to this, and the shape in which the outer diameter decreases as it moves toward the Z1 direction may be limited to only a portion of the section from the end on the Z1 side to the end on the Z2 side.

[0071] By reducing the diameter in the Z1 direction in this way, the wedge effect effectively prevents the permeable member 20 (frame member 30) from shifting toward the Z1 direction from the opening 19.

[0072] (Another example 2) As shown in Figure 8, in this example, the opening 19 may have a shape in which the inner diameter decreases as it approaches the Z2 direction from the Z1 direction side of the central position in the Z direction, and a shape in which the inner diameter decreases as it approaches the Z1 direction from the Z2 direction side of the central position in the Z direction. Since the glass member 10 in this example is laminated glass, the inner circumferential surface 12C of the first glass substrate 12 has a shape in which the inner diameter decreases as it approaches the Z2 direction, and the inner circumferential surface 14C of the second glass substrate 14 has a shape in which the inner diameter decreases as it approaches the Z1 direction.

[0073] Similarly, in this example, the frame member 30 may have a shape in which the outer diameter decreases as it approaches the Z2 direction from the center position in the Z direction towards the Z1 direction, and a shape in which the outer diameter decreases as it approaches the Z1 direction from the center position in the Z direction towards the Z2 direction.

[0074] This shape effectively prevents the transparent member 20 (frame member 30) from shifting in both the Z1 and Z2 directions from the opening 19.

[0075] It should be noted that the direction of the taper in this example may be reversed. That is, for example, the opening 19 may have a shape in which the inner diameter decreases as it approaches the Z1 direction from the center position in the Z direction, and a shape in which the inner diameter decreases as it approaches the Z2 direction from the center position in the Z direction. Similarly, the frame member 30 may have a shape in which the outer diameter decreases as it approaches the Z1 direction from the center position in the Z direction, and a shape in which the outer diameter decreases as it approaches the Z2 direction from the center position in the Z direction.

[0076] (Another example 3) As shown in Figure 9, in this example, the inner diameter of the frame member 30 (inner diameter at the inner circumferential surface 31D) is not constant in the Z direction, and the inner diameter of the frame member 30 differs at different positions in the Z direction. In the example of Figure 9, the frame member 30 has a shape in which the inner diameter decreases as you move toward the Z1 direction. More specifically, the frame member 30 has a shape in which the inner diameter decreases as you move toward the Z1 direction over the entire area from the end on the Z1 side to the end on the Z2 side, but it is not limited to this, and the shape in which the inner diameter decreases as you move toward the Z1 direction may only be in a part of the section from the end on the Z1 side to the end on the Z2 side. Also, the inner diameter of the frame member 30 here can be rephrased as the length of the inner circumference of the frame member 30. That is, as stated above, it can be rephrased as the length of the inner circumference of the frame member 30 is not constant in the Z direction.

[0077] Similarly, in this example, the outer diameter of the transparent member 20 is not constant in the Z direction, and the outer diameter of the transparent member 20 differs at different positions in the Z direction. In the example of Figure 9, the transparent member 20 has a shape in which the outer diameter decreases as it moves toward the Z1 direction. More specifically, the transparent member 20 has a shape in which the outer diameter decreases as it moves toward the Z1 direction over its entire length from the end on the Z1 side to the end on the Z2 side, but it is not limited to this, and the shape in which the outer diameter decreases as it moves toward the Z1 direction may only be in a portion of the section from the end on the Z1 side to the end on the Z2 side. Also, the outer diameter of the transparent member 20 here can be rephrased as the length of the outer circumference of the transparent member 20. That is, as described above, it can be rephrased as the length of the outer circumference of the transparent member 20 being not constant in the Z direction.

[0078] The inner diameter of the frame member 30 and the outer diameter of the transparent member 20 have this shape, which helps to suppress displacement of the transparent member 20 relative to the frame member 30. More specifically, by reducing the diameter in the Z1 direction, displacement of the transparent member 20 in the Z1 direction can be suppressed. Furthermore, since the transparent member 20 is fixed to the frame member 30 by the adhesive layer 52, displacement in the Z2 direction can also be suppressed.

[0079] In this example as well, the direction of the taper may be reversed. That is, for example, the frame member 30 may have a shape in which the inner diameter decreases as it moves toward the Z2 direction, and the transparent member 20 may have a shape in which the outer diameter decreases as it moves toward the Z2 direction. This makes it possible to suppress the displacement of the transparent member 20 in the Z2 direction.

[0080] Furthermore, this example (other example 3) can be combined with the other examples 1 and 2.

[0081] (Effects) The vehicle glass 1 according to the first aspect of this disclosure comprises a glass member 10 having an opening 19 that penetrates from the surface 10A on the first direction (Z1 direction) side in the thickness direction (Z direction) to the surface 10B on the second direction (Z2 direction) side opposite to the first direction; a transparent member 20 provided in the opening 19 and transmitting far-infrared rays; and a frame member 30 provided between the inner circumferential surface 19C of the opening 19 and the outer circumferential surface 21 of the transparent member 20. The opening 19 has different inner diameters at different positions in the Z direction, and the frame member 30 has different outer diameters at different positions in the Z direction. According to this disclosure, the inner and outer diameters of the opening 19 and the frame member 30 are different in the Z direction, which can suppress the displacement of the transparent member 20 (frame member 30) from the glass member 10 in the Z direction.

[0082] The vehicle glass 1 according to the second aspect of this disclosure is the vehicle glass 1 according to the first aspect, wherein the difference between the inner diameter at the position where the inner diameter is smallest and the inner diameter at the position where the inner diameter is largest among the positions in the Z direction of the opening 19 is 0.05 mm or more and 3 mm or less, and the difference between the outer diameter at the position where the outer diameter is smallest and the outer diameter at the position where the outer diameter is largest among the positions in the Z direction of the frame member 30 is 0.05 mm or more and 3 mm or less. By having the difference between the minimum diameter and the maximum diameter be within this range, the frame member 30 can be appropriately inserted into the opening 19 while suppressing displacement of the transparent member 20 (frame member 30).

[0083] The vehicle glass 1 according to the third aspect of this disclosure is the vehicle glass 1 according to the first or second aspect, wherein the inner diameter of the opening 19 decreases as it moves in the Z2 direction, and the outer diameter of the frame member 30 decreases as it moves in the Z2 direction. According to this disclosure, it is possible to suppress the shifting of the transparent member 20 (frame member 30) in the Z2 direction.

[0084] A vehicle glass 1 according to a fourth aspect of this disclosure is a vehicle glass 1 according to any of the first to third aspects, wherein the glass member 10 has a chamfered portion 10D on at least one of the boundary positions between the inner circumferential surface 19C of the opening 19 and the surface 10A on the Z1 direction side, and the boundary position between the inner circumferential surface 19C of the opening 19 and the surface 10B on the Z2 direction side. According to this disclosure, chipping of the edge can be suppressed by forming the chamfered portion 10D.

[0085] The vehicle glass 1 according to the fifth aspect of this disclosure is a vehicle glass 1 according to any of the first to fourth aspects, wherein the frame member 30 has different inner diameters at different positions in the Z direction, and the transparent member 20 has different outer diameters at different positions in the Z direction. According to this disclosure, it is possible to suppress displacement of the transparent member 20 relative to the frame member 30.

[0086] The vehicle glass 1 according to the sixth aspect of this disclosure is a vehicle glass 1 according to any of the first to fifth aspects, wherein the frame member 30 has a wall portion 31 provided between the inner circumferential surface 19C of the opening 19 and the outer circumferential surface 21 of the transparent member 20, and a support portion 33 that protrudes outward from the wall portion 31 and supports the surface 10B of the glass member 10 on the Z2 direction side, and the surface 10B of the glass member 10 on the Z2 direction side and the support portion 33 are bonded together via an adhesive layer 50. According to this disclosure, it is possible to suppress the shifting of the transparent member 20 (frame member 30) in the Z1 direction.

[0087] The vehicle glass 1 according to the seventh aspect of this disclosure is a vehicle glass 1 according to any of the first to sixth aspects, wherein the glass member 10 is a laminated glass having a first glass substrate 12, a second glass substrate 14 located on the Z2 side of the first glass substrate 12, and an intermediate layer 16 provided between the first glass substrate 12 and the second glass substrate 14. The opening 19 penetrates from the Z1 side surface 12A of the first glass substrate 12 to the Z2 side surface 14B of the second glass substrate 14. According to this disclosure, displacement of the transparent member 20 (frame member 30) can be suppressed.

[0088] Although embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the embodiments are not limited to those described herein. Furthermore, the aforementioned components include those that can be easily conceived by those skilled in the art, those that are substantially the same, and those that fall within the so-called equivalent range. Moreover, the aforementioned components can be combined as appropriate. Furthermore, various omissions, substitutions, or modifications of the components can be made without departing from the spirit of the embodiments described above.

[0089] 1 Vehicle glass 10 Glass component 12 First glass substrate 14 Second glass substrate 19 Opening 20 Transmitting member 30 Frame member

Claims

1. A glass member having an opening formed therein that penetrates from the surface on the side of a first direction in the thickness direction to the surface on the side of a second direction opposite to the first direction; a transparent member provided within the opening that transmits far-infrared rays; and a frame member provided between the inner circumferential surface of the opening and the outer circumferential surface of the transparent member, wherein the opening has different inner diameters at different positions in the thickness direction, and the frame member has different outer diameters at different positions in the thickness direction, for use in vehicles.

2. The difference between the inner diameter at the position where the inner diameter is smallest and the inner diameter at the position where the inner diameter is largest among the positions in the thickness direction of the opening is 0.05 mm or more and 3 mm or less, and the difference between the outer diameter at the position where the outer diameter is smallest and the outer diameter at the position where the outer diameter is largest among the positions in the thickness direction of the frame member is 0.05 mm or more and 3 mm or less, the vehicle glass according to claim 1.

3. The vehicle glass according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the inner diameter of the opening decreases as it moves toward the second direction, and the outer diameter of the frame member decreases as it moves toward the second direction.

4. The vehicle glass according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the glass member has a chamfered portion at least one of the boundary positions between the inner circumferential surface of the opening and the surface on the first direction side, and the boundary position between the inner circumferential surface of the opening and the surface on the second direction side.

5. The frame member has different inner diameters at different positions in the thickness direction, and the transparent member has different outer diameters at different positions in the thickness direction, as described in claim 1 or claim 2.

6. The frame member has a wall portion provided between the inner circumferential surface of the opening and the outer circumferential surface of the transparent member, and a support portion that protrudes outward from the wall portion and supports the surface of the glass member on the second direction side, wherein the surface of the glass member on the second direction side and the support portion are bonded together via an adhesive layer, the vehicle glass according to claim 1 or claim 2.

7. The glass member is a laminated glass having a first glass substrate, a second glass substrate located on the second side of the first glass substrate, and an intermediate layer provided between the first glass substrate and the second glass substrate, wherein the opening penetrates from the surface of the first glass substrate on the first side to the surface of the second glass substrate on the second side. The vehicle glass according to claim 1 or claim 2.

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