Electrically heatable glazing

Abstract

An electrically heatable glazing according to the present invention comprises: a first glass window; a coating layer formed of a material capable of generating heat upon application of voltage and coated on the first glass window; a bus bar electrically connected to the coating layer; a terminal disposed below the first glass window and coupled to the bus bar; and a second glass window overlapping the first glass window.

Description

Electric heating glazing

[0001] The present invention relates to an electric heating glazing.

[0002] Frost can form on vehicle windows due to the temperature difference between the exterior and interior during winter or rainy days. Heated glass has been proposed as a solution to address this frost problem. Conventional heated glass removes frost by generating heat through heating wires—either by attaching a heating film to the glass surface or by forming heating wires directly on the glass surface and passing an electric current through them—thereby raising the temperature of the glass surface. To effectively generate heat, conventional heated glass has been manufactured through a process of producing a heating layer by sputtering transparent conductive materials such as ITO (Indium Tin Oxide) or Ag thin films. Alternatively, there are methods to form fine patterns on the glass surface that are difficult to perceive with the naked eye using photolithography. However, conventional manufacturing methods for heated glass have been hindered from widespread adoption due to the problems of high cost and low efficiency caused by complex manufacturing processes and significant material waste.

[0003] As an alternative to this, a method of applying voltage by coating a heating material onto the glass window and connecting a busbar can be considered to generate heat. However, the problem of localized heating still exists around both ends of the busbar, around the location where the emergency call system is installed, and around the location where the Hi-Pass is installed, and technology is required to improve the uniformity of heating.

[0004] The objective of the present invention is to provide an electrically heatable glazing capable of improving the uniformity of heat generation.

[0005] The electric heating glazing according to the present invention comprises: a first glass window; a coating layer formed of a material capable of generating heat when voltage is applied and coated on the first glass window; a bus bar electrically connected to the coating layer; a terminal disposed at the bottom of the first glass window and coupled to the bus bar; and a second glass window that overlaps the first glass window.

[0006] Additionally, the bus bar may include a first bus bar comprising a first vertical section extending along the left edge of the first glass window and a first horizontal section extending from the bottom of the first vertical section toward the lower center of the first glass window; and a second bus bar comprising a second vertical section extending along the right edge of the first glass window and a second horizontal section extending from the bottom of the second vertical section toward the lower center of the first glass window.

[0007] Additionally, the terminal may include a first terminal coupled to the end of the first horizontal portion of the first busbar; and a second terminal coupled to the end of the second horizontal portion of the second busbar.

[0008] In addition, the coating layer includes a first deletion area, and the first deletion area is for radio wave transmission for the vehicle's ETCS and can be placed on the upper part of the first glass window.

[0009] In addition, the coating layer includes a second deletion region, and the second deletion region is for radio wave transmission for the vehicle's emergency call system and can be positioned at the bottom of the first glass window.

[0010] In addition, the coating layer may include a third decion region extending along the edge of the first glass window.

[0011] In addition, the coating layer may include a fourth dilation region extending from the upper edges of both sides of the first glass window toward the upper center.

[0012] In addition, the coating layer further includes a third decation area formed along the edge of the first glass window, and the fourth decation area may be connected to the third decation area.

[0013] In addition, the fourth deletion area may be separated from the upper center of the first glass window.

[0014] In addition, the coating layer may include a fifth dilation region extending from the lower edges of both sides of the first glass window toward the lower center.

[0015] Additionally, the coating layer further comprises a second deletion area disposed at the bottom of the first window for radio wave transmission for the vehicle's emergency call system; and a third deletion area formed along the edge of the first window, and the fifth deletion area may extend between the second deletion area and the third deletion area.

[0016] In addition, the coating layer may include a sixth decion region spaced downward from the fifth decion region.

[0017] In addition, the sixth deletion area may extend between the left edge and the right edge of the first glass window.

[0018] In addition, the coating layer further includes a third decion region formed along the edge of the first glass window, and the sixth decion region may be connected to the third decion region.

[0019] In addition, the coating layer may include a seventh decion region extending downward from the sixth decion region.

[0020] In addition, the coating layer further includes a third decion region formed along the edge of the first glass window, and the sixth decion region may be connected to the third decion region.

[0021] Additionally, the busbar comprises: a first busbar including a first vertical section extending along the left edge of the first glass window and a first horizontal section extending from the bottom of the first vertical section toward the lower center of the first glass window; and a second busbar including a second vertical section extending along the right edge of the first glass window and a second horizontal section extending from the bottom of the second vertical section toward the lower center of the first glass window, wherein the first horizontal section and the second horizontal section are positioned between the sixth deletion area and the third deletion area, and the seventh deletion area may be positioned between the end of the first horizontal section and the end of the second horizontal section.

[0022] Additionally, the terminal includes a first terminal coupled to the end of the first horizontal portion of the first busbar; and a second terminal coupled to the end of the second horizontal portion of the second busbar, and the seventh deletion area may be disposed between the first terminal and the second terminal.

[0023] In addition, it may include a conductive adhesive layer that combines the coating layer and the bus bar; an adhesive layer for bonding the first glass window and the second glass window; and a cover layer that is printed on the second glass window.

[0024] The electric heating glazing according to the present invention can mitigate localized heat generation by having the bus bar have an L-shape as the terminal is positioned at the bottom of the glass window.

[0025] In addition, the temperature difference can be reduced by lowering the temperature of the upper part of the window or around the Hi-Pass through the deletion area formed at the top of the window.

[0026] In addition, localized heating can be prevented through the temperature trade-off effect between the terminal and the insulating area formed adjacent to it.

[0027] This allows for overall improvement in heat distribution uniformity while enabling rapid defrosting and de-icing.

[0028] FIG. 1 is a schematic front view of an electric heating glazing according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0029] Figure 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view of part A of Figure 1.

[0030] Figure 3 shows the results of a simulation evaluation of a conventional electric heating glazing.

[0031] Figure 4 is the result of performing a heat generation evaluation by simulation on an electric heating glazing according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0032] An electric heating glazing (100) according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

[0033] FIG. 1 is a schematic front view of an electric heating glazing (100) according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view of part A of FIG. 1.

[0034] Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, an electric heating glazing (100) according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a first glass window (110), a second glass window (120), a coating layer (130), a bus bar (140), terminals (151, 152), a conductive adhesive layer (160), an adhesive layer (170), and a cover layer (180).

[0035] The first glass window (110) can be formed in a shape corresponding to, for example, the windshield of a vehicle. The first glass window (110) can be positioned on the interior side of the vehicle.

[0036] The second glass window (120) may be formed in a shape corresponding, for example, to the windshield of a vehicle. The second glass window (120) may be positioned on the exterior side of the vehicle. The second glass window (120) may overlap with the first glass window (110). The second glass window (120) may be fixed to the first glass window (110) by an adhesive layer (170).

[0037] The first glass window (110) and the second glass window (120) are in the form of laminated glass, which absorbs impact so as not to break easily, and in the event of breakage, prevents fragments from scattering through the adhesive layer (170), thereby improving safety.

[0038] The first glass window (110) and the second glass window (120) may be formed of, for example, float glass, quartz glass, borosilicate glass, soda-lime glass, polyethylene, polypropylene, polycarbonate, polymethyl methacrylate, etc., but the present invention does not limit the materials thereof.

[0039] A coating layer (130), a bus bar (140), a conductive adhesive layer (160), an adhesive layer (170), a cover layer (180), etc., may be disposed between the first glass window (110) and the second glass window (120).

[0040] The coating layer (130) is formed from a material capable of generating heat when voltage is applied. The coating layer (130) may be formed by, for example, a dielectric film of the Ag and SiAlNx series, a protective film of TiO2, and other materials such as Ti, NiCr, but the present invention does not limit the material.

[0041] The coating layer (130) can be coated on the first glass window (110).

[0042] The coating layer (130) includes a deletion area in which a portion of the area is removed. This deletion area can be formed by etching the coating layer (130) using, for example, a wheel or laser deletion equipment.

[0043] More specifically, the coating layer (130) may include first to seventh delysis regions (131-137).

[0044] However, expressions such as the first, second, and third mentioned here are merely intended to distinguish and designate multiple deletion areas and do not imply any priority or hierarchical relationship among the deletion areas. Therefore, it should be noted that, for example, the first deletion area (131) is not more important than the second to seventh deletion areas (132-137), nor is the mention of the second deletion area (132) necessarily presupposed to the existence of the first deletion area (131).

[0045] The first deletion area (131) can be formed at a location corresponding to where the vehicle's ETCS (Electronic Toll Collection System; so-called Hi-Pass) is installed. Therefore, through the first deletion area (131), by ensuring that the coating layer (130) does not exist at the location where the vehicle's ETCS is installed, radio waves can be smoothly transmitted and received between the vehicle's ETCS and an external related system.

[0046] In FIG. 1, the first deletion area (131) is exemplified as being positioned at the top of the first window (110), specifically at the upper center of the first window (110). This position may change depending on where the ETCS is mounted in the vehicle. However, for the convenience of explanation and understanding, the following description will be based on the assumption that the first deletion area (131) is positioned at the upper center of the first window (110) as shown in FIG. 1.

[0047] The second deletion area (132) can be formed at a location corresponding to where the vehicle's emergency call system (so-called eCall) is installed. Thus, through the second deletion area (132), by ensuring that the coating layer (130) does not exist at the location where the vehicle's emergency call system is installed, radio waves can be smoothly transmitted and received between the vehicle's emergency call system and an external related system.

[0048] In FIG. 1, the second deletion area (132) is exemplified as being positioned at the bottom of the first window (110), specifically at the bottom center of the first window (110). This position may change depending on where the emergency call system is mounted in the vehicle. However, for the convenience of explanation and understanding, the following description will be based on the second deletion area (132) being positioned at the bottom center of the first window (110) as shown in FIG. 1.

[0049] Referring further to FIG. 1, the third deletion area (133) can be extended along the edge of the first glass window (110).

[0050] More specifically, the third deletion area (133) may be formed such that the sections (133A), formed along the upper edge of the first glass window (110), the section (133B), formed along the lower edge of the first glass window (110), the section (133C), formed along the left edge of the first glass window (110), and the section (133D) formed along the right edge of the first glass window (110) are connected as a whole.

[0051] There is a problem that the coating layer (130) may corrode if exposed to the external weather environment. Therefore, the problem can be prevented by ensuring that the coating layer (130) does not exist on the edge of the first glass window (110), which is susceptible to exposure to the external weather environment, through the third delidding area (133).

[0052] The fourth deletion area (134) may extend laterally from the upper side edges of the first glass window (110) toward the upper center. The fourth deletion area (134) may be connected to the third deletion area (133).

[0053] More specifically, the fourth deletion area (134) may include a section (134A) formed by extending to the right from the upper left edge of the first glass window (110) toward the upper center, and a section (134B) extended to the left from the upper right edge of the first glass window (110) toward the upper center. The left section (134A) of the fourth deletion area (134) may be connected to the left section (133C) of the third deletion area (133), and the right section (134B) of the fourth deletion area (134) may be connected to the right section (133D) of the third deletion area (133).

[0054] The ends of the left section (134A) and the right section (134B) of the fourth deletion area (134) may be separated and not connected at the upper center of the first glass window (110).

[0055] The fourth deletion area (134) can be extended substantially parallel to the upper section (133A) of the third deletion area (133), that is, spaced substantially apart from the upper section (133A) of the third deletion area (133).

[0056] The first glass window (110) is typically formed with a width that is longer than the height, which can cause heat discontinuity and result in the upper part of the first glass window (110) having a higher heat temperature than the lower part. Therefore, through the fourth delysis area (134), the coating layer (130) is partially removed from the upper part of the first glass window (110) to hinder conduction, thereby preventing localized heat generation at the upper part of the first glass window (110).

[0057] The fifth deletion area (135) may extend laterally from the lower side edges of the first glass window (110) toward the lower center. The fifth deletion area (135) may be connected between the second deletion area (132) and the third deletion area (133) and may be connected to the second deletion area (132) and the third deletion area (133).

[0058] More specifically, the fifth deletion area (135) may include a section (135A) extending between the upper left of the second deletion area (132) and the left section (133C) of the third deletion area (133), a section (135B) extending between the upper right of the second deletion area (132) and the right section (133D) of the third deletion area (133), a section (135C) extending between the lower left of the second deletion area (132) and the left section (133C) of the third deletion area (133), and a section (135D) extending between the lower right of the second deletion area (132) and the right section (133D) of the third deletion area (133).

[0059] The sixth deletion area (136) is spaced downward from the fifth deletion area (135). The sixth deletion area (136) may extend between the left edge and the right edge of the first glass window (110). The sixth deletion area (136) may extend between the left section (133C) and the right section (133D) of the third deletion area (133).

[0060] The sixth deletion area (136) can be extended substantially parallel to the second deletion area (132) and the fifth deletion area (135).

[0061] As described below, since the terminals (151, 152) are positioned at the bottom of the first glass window (110), particularly at the bottom center of the first glass window (110), electrons may accumulate at the bottom center of the first glass window (110), causing localized heat generation. Therefore, by partially removing the coating layer (130) from the bottom of the first glass window (110) through the fifth and sixth delysis regions (135, 136), localized heat generation at the bottom of the first glass window (110) can be prevented.

[0062] The seventh deletion area (137) extends downward from the center of the sixth deletion area (136) through the space between the first terminal (151) and the second terminal (152). The seventh deletion area (137) can be connected to the lower section (133B) of the third deletion area (133).

[0063] By separating the first terminal (151) and the second terminal (152) through the seventh deletion area (137), it is possible to prevent electrons from moving directly from the first terminal (151) to the second terminal (152) or from the second terminal (152) to the first terminal (151) at the lower center of the first glass window (110), thereby more effectively improving the uniformity of heat generation.

[0064] The busbar (140) serves to transmit voltage to the coating layer (130).

[0065] The busbar (140) includes a first busbar and a second busbar.

[0066] The first busbar may be formed in an L-shape. More specifically, the first busbar includes a first vertical section (141A) that extends generally vertically along the left edge of the first glass window (110) and a first horizontal section (141B) that extends laterally, i.e., generally horizontally, from the bottom of the first vertical section (141A) toward the lower center of the first glass window (110).

[0067] However, the first vertical section (141A) is not strictly mathematically extended vertically, but is merely referred to as such to indicate that it is generally oriented closer to the vertical direction than the horizontal direction, and the first vertical section (141A) may be composed of one or more straight lines or curves. The same applies to the first horizontal section (141B). That is, the first horizontal section (141B) is not strictly mathematically extended horizontally, but is merely referred to as such to indicate that it is generally oriented closer to the horizontal direction than the vertical direction, and the first horizontal section (141B) may be composed of one or more straight lines or curves. The same applies to the second vertical section (142A) and the second horizontal section (142B) to be described later.

[0068] The first vertical section (141A) can be positioned further inside the left section (133C) of the third delirium area (133) of the coating layer (130).

[0069] The first horizontal section (141B) may be positioned between the lower section (133B) of the third deletion area (133) of the coating layer (130) and the sixth deletion area (136). The end of the first horizontal section (141B) may be spaced apart from the seventh deletion area (137).

[0070] The second busbar may be formed in an L-shape with the left and right sides reversed. More specifically, the second busbar includes a second vertical section (142A) that extends generally vertically along the right edge of the first glass window (110) and a second horizontal section (142B) that extends laterally, i.e., generally horizontally, from the bottom of the second vertical section (142A) toward the lower center of the first glass window (110).

[0071] The second vertical section (142A) can be positioned further inside the right section (133D) of the third delirium area (133) of the coating layer (130).

[0072] The second horizontal section (142B) may be positioned between the lower section (133B) of the third deletion area (133) of the coating layer (130) and the sixth deletion area (136). The end of the second horizontal section (142B) may be spaced apart from the seventh deletion area (137).

[0073] The terminals (151, 152) are positioned at the bottom of the first glass window (110), particularly at the center of the bottom of the first glass window (110), and are connected to the ends of the horizontal portions (141B, 142B) of the bus bar (140).

[0074] More specifically, the terminals (151, 152) include a first terminal (151) and a second terminal (152).

[0075] The first terminal (151) is coupled to the end of the first horizontal portion (141B) of the first busbar. The first terminal (151) may be positioned to the left with respect to the seventh deletion area (137).

[0076] The second terminal (152) is coupled to the end of the second horizontal portion (142B) of the second busbar. The second terminal (152) can be positioned to the right of the seventh deletion area (137).

[0077] One of the first terminal (151) and the second terminal (152) is connected to the positive terminal of the power source, and the other is connected to the negative terminal of the power source. Thus, voltage is applied to the coating layer (130) from an external power source through the terminals (151, 152) and the bus bar (140), so that the coating layer (130) can generate heat.

[0078] Generally, current flow may be concentrated near the first terminal (151) and the second terminal (152), causing heat generation to be relatively higher. However, according to the present invention, a delayed area is formed to completely surround the end of the first horizontal portion (141B) of the first busbar to which the first terminal (151) is connected and the end of the second horizontal portion (142B) of the second busbar to which the second terminal (152) is connected, thereby preventing excessive localized heat generation near the first terminal (151) and the second terminal (152). More specifically, the lower section (133D) of the third deletion area (133) is positioned below the first horizontal section (141B) of the first busbar and the second horizontal section (142B) of the second busbar, and the sixth deletion area (136) is positioned above it, and the seventh deletion area (137) is positioned between the end of the first horizontal section (141B) of the first busbar and the end of the second horizontal section (142B) of the second busbar. These deletion areas are parts where the coating layer (130) has been removed and no heat is generated. Therefore, there is an advantage that local heat generation near the first terminal (151) and the second terminal (152) can be mitigated through a temperature trade-off effect between the first terminal (151) and the second terminal (152), where heat generation is relatively higher, and the deletion areas where no heat is generated.

[0079] Furthermore, as the first busbar and the second busbar are formed in an L-shape, the first terminal (151) and the second terminal (152) can be positioned adjacent to each other at the lower center of the first glass window (110). Therefore, there is an advantage that the deletion area can be arranged more efficiently to surround the first terminal (151) and the second terminal (152).

[0080] Furthermore, in the past, a separate tungsten wire was installed in a vehicle to heat the wiper area, but according to the present invention, since the first busbar and the second busbar are formed in an L-shape, the first horizontal section (141B) and the second horizontal section (142B) are extended and formed to correspond to the wiper area, so there is no need to separately install a tungsten wire to heat the wiper area, which has the advantage of reducing labor and costs.

[0081] Next, referring to FIG. 2, the conductive adhesive layer (160) serves to electrically connect the coating layer (130) and the bus bar (140). The conductive adhesive layer (160) can be placed between the coating layer (130) and the bus bar (140).

[0082] The conductive adhesive layer (160) can be formed, for example, from silver paste.

[0083] The adhesive layer (170) can be placed between the bus bar (140) and the second glass window (120). The adhesive layer (170) serves to bond the first glass window (110) and the second glass window (120).

[0084] The adhesive layer (170) can be formed from, for example, PVB (Polyvinyl Butyral), OCA (Optically Clear Adhesive), TPU (Thermoplastic Urethane), EVA (Ethylene-Vinyl Acetate), etc.

[0085] The cover layer (180) can be printed on the second glass window (120), for example, by screen printing.

[0086] The cover layer (180) can be formed of, for example, black enamel.

[0087] The aesthetics can be improved by making electrical components such as the busbar (140) invisible from the outside through the cover layer (180).

[0088] These electric heating-capable glazing (100) are,

[0089] A step of coating a coating layer (130) on the first glass window (110);

[0090] A step of forming first to seventh delysis regions (131-137) in a coating layer (130);

[0091] A step of applying a conductive adhesive layer (160) to a coating layer (130) and then heat-treating and drying;

[0092] A step of attaching a busbar (140) to a conductive adhesive layer (160) applied to a coating layer (130) after heat treatment drying;

[0093] It can be manufactured by steps such as bonding the second glass window (120) on which the cover layer (180) is printed using the adhesive layer (170).

[0094] FIG. 3 is the result of performing a defrosting evaluation on a conventional electric heating glazing, and FIG. 4 is the result of performing a defrosting evaluation on an electric heating glazing (100) according to an embodiment of the present invention under the same conditions.

[0095] In this case, the conventional electric heating glazing has a busbar formed in a II shape and placed on both the left and right sides of the glass window, with a terminal connected to the lower part of the busbar, and does not include a dilation area like that of the present invention.

[0096] The defrosting evaluation was 1.3004 m exposed to -18–20°C for 4 hours. 2 The process was carried out by spraying 570 ml of water onto a glass window of a certain area, waiting for 1-2 hours at minus 40°C, applying voltage, and observing the temperature distribution and defrosting status after 4 minutes.

[0097] The results are presented in a table as follows.

[0098] Classification Average Temperature Maximum Temperature Minimum Temperature Conventional 47.1℃ 79.3℃ 19.6℃ Present Invention 39.2℃ 50.6℃ 21.6℃

[0099] By comparing and referring to FIG. 3 and FIG. 4, it can be seen that in the case of a conventional electric heating glazing, local heating can be observed at the top and both lower sides of the glass window, whereas in the case of the electric heating glazing (100) according to the embodiment of the present invention, the overall uniformity of heat generation has been improved compared to the conventional one. In fact, by referring to Table 1, it can be seen that the conventional electric heating glazing has a significant heat generation variation with a difference of 59.7°C between the maximum temperature (79.3°C) and the minimum temperature (19.6°C), whereas the electric heating glazing (100) according to the embodiment of the present invention has a relatively small heat generation variation with a difference of 29.0°C between the maximum temperature (50.6°C) and the minimum temperature (21.6°C).

[0100] The electric heating glazing described above is merely one of the electric heating glazing according to various embodiments of the present invention. The technical concept of the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments, but includes all scopes that can be easily modified by a person skilled in the art to which the present invention pertains, as described in the claims.

[0101]

[0102] Explanation of the symbols

[0103] 100: Electric heating glazing

[0104] 110: First glass window

[0105] 120: Second glass window

[0106] 130: Coating layer

[0107] 131: 1st Deletion Area

[0108] 132: Second Deletion Area

[0109] 133: Third Deletion Area

[0110] 134: The 4th Deletion Area

[0111] 135: Fifth Deletion Area

[0112] 136: 6th Deletion Area

[0113] 137: The 7th Deletion Area

[0114] 140: Busbar

[0115] 151: First terminal

[0116] 152: Second terminal

[0117] 160: Conductive adhesive layer

[0118] 170: Adhesive layer

[0119] 180: Cover layer

Claims

1. First glass pane; A coating layer formed of a material capable of generating heat as voltage is applied and coated on the first glass window; A bus bar electrically connected to the above coating layer; A terminal disposed at the lower part of the first glass window and coupled to the bus bar; and A second glass window that overlaps the first glass window, Electric heating glazing.

2. In Paragraph 1, The above busbar is, A first busbar comprising a first vertical portion extending along the left edge of the first glass window and a first horizontal portion extending from the bottom of the first vertical portion toward the lower center of the first glass window; and A second busbar comprising a second vertical section extending along the right edge of the first glass window and a second horizontal section extending from the bottom of the second vertical section toward the lower center of the first glass window. Electric heating glazing.

3. In Paragraph 1, The coating layer includes a third decion region extending along the edge of the first glass window, Electric heating glazing.

4. In Paragraph 1, The coating layer comprises a fifth decion region extending from the lower two edges of the first glass window toward the lower center. Electric heating glazing.

5. In Paragraph 1, A conductive adhesive layer that combines the above coating layer and the above busbar; An adhesive layer for joining the first glass window and the second glass window; and A cover layer printed on the second glass window, Electric heating glazing.

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