System comprising a window pane, a light source and a coupling device
The system addresses space constraints and aesthetic limitations by coupling light into window panes using a telescope lens and reflective coatings, allowing flexible light source positioning outside the window plane for improved aesthetic and functional integration.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- WO · WO
- Patent Type
- Applications
- Current Assignee / Owner
- SAINT GOBAIN VITRAGE SA
- Filing Date
- 2025-11-03
- Publication Date
- 2026-05-15
AI Technical Summary
Existing systems for coupling light into window panes are space-consuming and often require the light source to be positioned within the geometric plane of the window, limiting aesthetic appeal and installation flexibility.
A system comprising a window pane, a light source, and a coupling device that allows light to be coupled into the window pane via a coupling surface, utilizing a telescope lens and a coupling device with reflective coatings and total internal reflection, enabling the light source to be positioned outside the geometric plane of the window pane.
The system achieves a space-saving design that enhances aesthetic appeal by allowing the window pane to occupy more space while maintaining efficient light coupling, suitable for various installation scenarios including motor vehicles and buildings.
Smart Images
Figure EP2025081672_15052026_PF_FP_ABST
Abstract
Description
[0001] SAINT-GOBAIN GLASS FRANCE 2024352-WO-PCT
[0002] 1
[0003] System with a window pane, a light source and a coupling device
[0004] The present invention relates to a system comprising a window pane, a light source and a coupling device according to the preamble of claim 1.
[0005] It is known from the prior art to couple light into a window pane in such a way that it spreads within the window pane due to reflections at the interfaces of the window pane.
[0006] For this purpose, a light source such as an LED or a laser device is positioned on a coupling surface of the window pane and aligned so that the light emitted by the light source is coupled into the window pane.
[0007] From FR 2 980 833 A1, an illuminated glazing element is known in which the light sources are positioned outside the encapsulation or fastening area of the glazing element and are thus easily accessible. To achieve this, the element comprises a first glass pane and at least one waveguide. This waveguide transports the light from the light sources to the edge of a first glass pane by means of a first part and a second part, which deflects the main direction of propagation of the light by at least 90°.
[0008] US Patent 11,867,942 B1 discloses an encapsulated, illuminated automotive glazing. A cavity is created in the overmolding of the laminated glass by means of a core during the injection molding process. Only after the overmolding is complete is a light strip inserted and installed in this cavity.
[0009] In contrast, the present invention aims to create a space-saving system in the plane of the window pane. Furthermore, a motor vehicle equipped with such a system and a method for controlling such a system are to be provided.
[0010] This problem is solved by a system according to claim 1, a motor vehicle according to claim 12, and a method according to claim 14. Embodiments of the invention are specified in the dependent claims. SAINT-GOBAIN GLASS FRANCE 2024352-WO-PCT
[0011] 2
[0012] The system comprises a window pane, a light source, and a coupling device. The window pane can, in particular, also be a laminated pane with multiple layers. In this case, the window pane can have an outer pane and an inner pane. The outer pane and the inner pane are preferably glass panes, most preferably made of soda-lime glass, as is common for window panes. However, one or both of the panes can also be made of other types of glass, for example, quartz glass, borosilicate glass, or aluminosilicate glass, or of rigid, clear plastics, for example, polycarbonate or polymethyl methacrylate. The thicknesses of the outer pane and the inner pane are preferably from 0.5 mm to 5 mm, and more preferably from 1 mm to 3 mm, and are independent of each other.
[0013] It is also possible for the window pane to be a single piece. In this case, the window pane can be a pane of glass, preferably made of soda-lime glass, as is common for window panes. However, it can also be made of other types of glass, such as quartz glass, borosilicate glass, or aluminosilicate glass, or of rigid, clear plastics, such as polycarbonate or polymethyl methacrylate.
[0014] The light source can, for example, be a laser device that emits a laser beam. It is also possible to use one or more LEDs as the light source. The light source is configured to emit light to the coupling device. The window pane has a coupling surface and a primary surface. The coupling surface and the primary surface form an angle of less than 180°, preferably less than 140°, and particularly preferably less than 100°. Preferably, the window pane can have two primary surfaces and two secondary surfaces, the primary surfaces having an area many times larger than the area of the secondary surfaces. The coupling surface can be one of the secondary surfaces or a component of one of the secondary surfaces.The coupling device is designed and arranged to couple the light into the window pane via the coupling surface. For this purpose, the coupling device can, for example, be in contact with the coupling surface.
[0015] The coupling device may also be in at least partial contact with the main surface. In the context of this description, this is understood to mean, in particular, that a not insignificant part of the coupling device is in contact with the main surface. SAINT-GOBAIN GLASS FRANCE 2024352-WO-PCT
[0016] 3. In particular, it is possible that the coupling device forms a larger contact area with the main surface than with the coupling surface.
[0017] Alternatively, it is also possible that the coupling device runs parallel to the main surface, at least partially spaced away from it. In the context of this description, this means in particular that at least a part of the coupling device is spaced from the main surface exclusively in the direction of the normal vector of the main surface. This part of the coupling device therefore has no offset relative to the main surface in a direction perpendicular to the normal vector of the main surface.
[0018] By using this coupling device, the light source does not need to be positioned in the geometric plane in which the window pane lies. The window pane can thus occupy significantly more of the available space in this plane, which is often considered visually appealing, especially when the window pane is used in a motor vehicle. Frequently, more installation space is available outside the geometric plane in which the window pane lies, making it easy or at least relatively simple to position the light source in this area. Furthermore, by appropriately designing the coupling device, the system can be used in installation situations where previously a window pane without the possibility of coupling in light was used.
[0019] The coupling surface can be polished to minimize light loss when coupled into the window pane. It is possible that the coupling surface, particularly due to polishing, has a convex curvature or several surfaces arranged at angles to one another. In this case, the coupling device can also be positioned against the coupling surface to maximize light coupling into the window pane. The surface of the coupling device in contact with the coupling surface can, for example, be concave or also have several surfaces arranged at angles to one another.
[0020] The system includes a telescope lens. For the purposes of this description, a telescope lens is understood to be a lens system with at least two lenses. The telescope lens is designed to focus the light. SAINT-GOBAIN GLASS FRANCE 2024352-WO-PCT
[0021] 4. Influence. In particular, the focus can be adjustable. The focus can also be referred to as the focal point. The telescopic lens is arranged between the light source and the coupling device, preferably between the light source and the fiber optic element. The use of the telescopic lens is advantageous in order to achieve total internal reflection of the light within the coupling device and within the window pane. In particular, the focus can be adapted to a thickness of the coupling device, especially the coupling element.
[0022] According to one embodiment of the invention, the coupling device can comprise a glass element and a coupling element. The light source can be configured to emit the light, in particular directly, into the glass element. For the purposes of this description, direct emission is understood to mean, in particular, that the glass element is arranged directly adjacent to the light source. It is especially possible for the glass element to be elastically deformable. The glass element can be configured to guide the light to the coupling element. The coupling element can be configured to couple the light into the window pane via the coupling surface.
[0023] This design of the coupling device allows the light source to be positioned flexibly and does not have to be located in a specific place.
[0024] According to one embodiment of the invention, the glass element can comprise a glass film or a glass fiber element. The glass film can, for example, be two-dimensional. The glass fiber element can, in particular, be designed as a glass fiber light guide.
[0025] According to one embodiment of the invention, the coupling element can comprise glass and / or plastic or consist of glass and / or plastic.
[0026] According to one embodiment of the invention, the coupling device can have a reflective coating on several surfaces. This can apply in particular to the coupling element if the coupling device includes the coupling element. The reflective coating can, for example, be configured to reflect the light emitted by the light source. The reflective coating is advantageous for directing the light to the coupling surface of the window pane with particularly low loss. It is particularly possible that the reflective coating comprises a metal and / or a semiconductor or is made of a metal. SAINT-GOBAIN GLASS FRANCE 2024352-WO-PCT
[0027] 5 and / or a semiconductor. For example, the reflective coating can be silver-based. This can particularly mean that the reflective coating consists of more than 90% silver. It is also possible that the reflective coating comprises a dielectric material. In this case, the reflective coating can be designed as a Bragg mirror. Preferably, the surfaces of the coupling device or coupling element are provided with the reflective coating on which the light emitted by the light source is reflected within the coupling device.
[0028] An entrance surface of the coupling device can be configured to allow light to enter the device. The entrance surface can, in particular, be free of the reflective coating. Furthermore, an exit surface of the coupling device can be configured to couple light into the input surface. The exit surface can therefore be free of the reflective coating. It is particularly possible for the exit surface to be in direct contact with the input surface. For example, all surfaces of the coupling device or coupling element, with the exception of the entrance and exit surfaces, can have the reflective coating.
[0029] The entry surface can in particular be part of the part of the coupling device that is in contact with the main surface or runs parallel to the main surface at a distance from the main surface.
[0030] The inlet and outlet surfaces can be provided with an anti-reflective coating. In this description, this refers specifically to a coating that reduces light reflections at the surface. Preferably, the anti-reflective coating can be tailored to a specific wavelength of light, such that light of that wavelength is reflected particularly little.
[0031] The inlet surface and the outlet surface can, in particular, be part of the coupling element if the coupling device includes the coupling element.
[0032] Such an embodiment is advantageous for guiding the light through the coupling device with particularly low loss. SAINT-GOBAIN GLASS FRANCE 2024352-WO-PCT
[0033] 6
[0034] According to one embodiment of the invention, the coupling surface can be arranged perpendicular to the main surface.
[0035] According to one embodiment of the invention, the coupling device can be configured to guide the light to the coupling surface by means of total internal reflection. In addition to total internal reflection, other reflections can also occur, for example, at the surfaces provided with the reflective coating. This can apply in particular to both the glass element and the coupling element.
[0036] According to one embodiment of the invention, the coupling device can have a convex surface that may be designed for total internal reflection of the light. It is particularly possible for the coupling element to have this convex surface. The convex surface can, for example, have a C-shape, a semicircular shape, and / or the shape of a parabolic mirror. Such a shape is particularly advantageous for using the system in installation situations where, previously, a window pane without the possibility of coupling in light was used, since such a window pane often also has such a convex surface in its edge region.
[0037] According to one embodiment of the invention, the convex surface can be curved in the direction in which the coupling surface points. In particular, it is possible for the convex surface to point away from the coupling surface. For example, the convex surface can be curved in the direction of the geometric normal vector of the coupling surface.
[0038] According to one embodiment of the invention, the coupling device, the light source, and the window pane can be designed for total internal reflection of the light within the window pane after coupling via the coupling surface. This can be achieved, in particular, by a suitable angle of incidence of the light at the coupling surface. The angle of incidence can, in turn, be influenced by the arrangement of the light source, the coupling device, and the window pane. It is also possible for the system between the light source and the coupling device to include an adjustable lens with which a focus of the light can be adjusted. This focus can also influence the angle of incidence of the light at the coupling surface. The focus can be influenced by a divergence or convergence of the light. This also allows the width of the light beam, especially at the point of entry into the glass element, to be influenced. SAINT-GOBAIN GLASS FRANCE 2024352-WO-PCT
[0039] 7
[0040] According to one embodiment of the invention, the coupling device and the window pane can be bonded together. In particular, it is possible for the coupling device and the window pane to be glued together. For example, the coupling device can be bonded to the window pane both at the coupling surface and at the main surface.
[0041] The motor vehicle according to claim 12 comprises a system according to an embodiment of the invention.
[0042] According to one embodiment of the invention, the window pane can be arranged in the roof of the motor vehicle. This is particularly advantageous because the introduction of light into a roof window is considered by many users to be visually appealing. Furthermore, the use of the system in a roof window is advantageous because a particularly large roof window can be created that requires little installation space within the geometric plane in which the window pane is arranged, in addition to the window pane itself.
[0043] It is also possible for the system to be used inside a building. In this case, the window pane could be a window pane of the building.
[0044] In the method according to claim 14, light is generated by the light source in a system according to one embodiment of the invention and then enters the coupling device. Preferably, the light can enter the optical fiber element and be guided from the optical fiber element to the coupling element. The light undergoes total internal reflection within the coupling device. The light is then coupled into the window pane via the coupling surface.
[0045] Further features and advantages of the present invention will become clear with reference to the following description of preferred embodiments and the accompanying figures. The same reference numerals are used for identical or similar components, features, or elements, and for components, features, or elements with identical or similar functions.
[0046] Fig. 1 is a schematic side view of a system according to an embodiment of the invention with a glass fiber element; and
[0047] Fig. 2 shows a schematic side view of a system according to an embodiment of the invention without a glass fiber element. SAINT-GOBAIN GLASS FRANCE 2024352-WO-PCT
[0048] 8
[0049] The system shown in Figure 1 comprises a window pane 1, a coupling element 2, a light source 3, a telescope lens 4, and a fiber optic element 5. The telescope lens 4 is arranged between the light source 3 and the fiber optic element 5. The fiber optic element 5 is arranged between the telescope lens 4 and the coupling element 2.
[0050] Window pane 1 has a coupling surface 7 and a main surface 8. The coupling surface 7 is part of a secondary surface of window pane 1. The main surface 8 is part of a main surface of window pane 1. The main surface and the secondary surface are arranged perpendicular to each other. The area of the main surface is many times larger than the area of the secondary surface.
[0051] During operation, the light source 3 emits light 6 through the telescope lens 4 into the optical fiber element 5, which directs the light 6 into the coupling element 2. In the coupling element 2, the light 6 undergoes total internal reflection multiple times at several surfaces and thus reaches the coupling surface 7, via which it is then coupled into the window pane 1. Within the window pane 1, it then propagates further.
[0052] The coupling element 2 is in contact with both the main surface 8 and the coupling surface 7. It is advantageous for the coupling element 2 to be in contact with the coupling surface 7 in order to efficiently couple the light 6 into the window pane 1. It is also advantageous for the coupling element 2 to be in contact with the main surface 8 because this means that the light source 3 and the telescope lens 4 do not need to be arranged in the geometric plane in which the window pane 1 is located. The window pane 1 can thus fill the available space for the system in this geometric plane, with the exception of a relatively narrow section of the coupling element 2. This allows for a particularly narrow edge of the window pane 1, which is often considered optically superior. The coupling element 2 can be bonded to either the main surface 8 or the coupling surface 7.
[0053] The coupling element 2 has a convex curvature that points away from the coupling surface 7. The convex curvature thus extends in the direction of the normal vector of the coupling surface 7. The convex curvature is advantageous for guiding the light 6 from the optical fiber element 5 to the coupling surface 7. Furthermore, the convex curvature can be shaped similarly to or identically to SAINT-GOBAIN GLASS FRANCE 2024352-WO-PCT.
[0054] 9 a surface of a window pane from the prior art, so that the system from Figure 1 can be used in the same installation situation without adapting the environment.
[0055] The surfaces of the coupling element 2 can be provided with a reflective coating, for example dielectric, with or made of a metal and / or a semiconductor, so that the light 6 is reflected with less loss.
[0056] The system shown in Figure 2 differs essentially from the system in Figure 1 in that no optical fiber element 5 is provided. The light 6 emitted by the light source 3 is directed by the telescope lens through the air into the coupling element 2. There, it is guided to the window pane 1 by total internal reflection and coupled into the window pane 1 via the coupling surface 7.
[0057] In Figure 2, unlike in Figure 1, the light is not depicted as a single ray, but as a light beam 10, which initially converges after exiting the telescope lens 4 and reaches its smallest extent at a focus 9. The position of the focus 9 in space is defined by the telescope lens 4. After entering the window pane 1, the light beam 10 diverges, so that the window pane 1 is perceived as illuminated by a user.
[0058] The width of the light beam 10 and the focus 9 are advantageously adapted to a thickness of the coupling element 2, so that the entire light beam 10 is introduced into the coupling element 2.
[0059] SAINT-GOBAIN GLASS FRANCE 2024352-WO-PCT
[0060] 10
[0061] Reference symbol list
[0062] 1 window pane
[0063] 2 coupling element
[0064] 3 Light source 4 Telescope lens
[0065] 5 fiber optic elements
[0066] 6 lights
[0067] 7 Coupling surface
[0068] 8 Main surface 9 Focus
[0069] 10 lights
Claims
SAINT-GOBAIN GLASS FRANCE 2024352-WO-PCT 11 Patentansprüche 1. System comprising a window pane (1), a light source (3) and a coupling device (2; 5), wherein the light source (3) is configured to emit light (6; 10) to the coupling device (2; 5), wherein the window pane (1) has an input surface (7) and a main surface (8), wherein the input surface (7) and the main surface (8) enclose an angle of less than 180°, wherein the coupling device (2; 5) is configured and arranged to couple the light (6; 10) into the window pane (1) via the input surface (7), wherein the coupling device (2; 5) is at least partially in contact with the main surface (8) or extends parallel to the main surface (8) at a distance from it, characterized in that the system comprises a telescope lens (4), wherein the telescope lens (4) is configured to focus the light (6;10) to influence and is arranged between the light source (3) and the coupling device (2; 5).; 2. System according to claim 1, characterized in that the coupling device (2; 5) comprises a glass element (5) and a coupling element (2), wherein the light source (3) is configured to emit the light (6; 10) into the glass element (5), wherein the glass element (5) is configured to direct the light (6; 10) to the coupling element (2), and wherein the coupling element (2) is configured to couple the light (6; 10) into the window pane (1) via the coupling surface (7).
3. System according to the previous claim, characterized in that the glass element (5) comprises a glass film or a glass fiber element.
4. System according to one of the two preceding claims, characterized in that the coupling element (2) comprises glass and / or plastic. SAINT-GOBAIN GLASS FRANCE 2024352-WO-PCT 12 5. System according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the coupling device (2; 5) has a reflective coating on several surfaces, wherein an entry surface of the coupling device (2; 5), which is configured so that the light (6; 10) enters the coupling device (2; 5) via it, is free of the reflective coating, and wherein an exit surface of the coupling device (2; 5), which is configured so that the light (6; 10) is coupled via it into the coupling surface (7), is free of the reflective coating.
6. System according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the coupling surface (7) is arranged perpendicular to the main surface (8).
7. System according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the coupling device (2; 5) is configured to direct the light (6; 10) to the coupling surface (7) by means of total internal reflection.
8. System according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the coupling device (2; 5) has a convex surface, wherein the convex surface is designed for total internal reflection of the light (6; 10).
9. System according to the previous claim, characterized in that the convex surface is curved in the direction in which the coupling surface (7) points.
10. System according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the coupling device (2; 5), the light source (3) and the window pane (1) are designed for total internal reflection of the light (6; 10) within the window pane (1) after coupling via the coupling surface (7).
11. System according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the coupling device (2; 5) and the window pane (1) are bonded together by material.
12. Motor vehicle comprising a system according to any of the preceding claims. SAINT-GOBAIN GLASS FRANCE 2024352-WO-PCT 13 13. Motor vehicle according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the window pane (1) is arranged in a roof of the motor vehicle.
14. Method for controlling a system according to any one of claims 1 to 11, comprising the following steps: Generation of light (6; 10) by the light source (3); thereafter Entry of light (6; 10) into the coupling device (2; 5); thereafter Total internal reflection of the light (6; 10) in the coupling device (2; 5); and thereafter Coupling of the light (6; 10) from the coupling device (2; 5) via the coupling surface (7) into the window pane (1).