Window pane for vehicle and method for manufacturing window pane for vehicle
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- WO · WO
- Patent Type
- Applications
- Current Assignee / Owner
- AGC INC
- Filing Date
- 2026-01-28
- Publication Date
- 2026-08-06
Smart Images
Figure JP2026002889_06082026_PF_FP_ABST
Abstract
Description
Window glass for vehicles and method for manufacturing the same
[0001] The present disclosure relates to window glass for vehicles and a method for manufacturing the same.
[0002] Conventionally, there has been window glass including laminated glass obtained by bonding two glass plates with an interlayer film, an electronic device provided between the two glass plates of the laminated glass, a flexible substrate having one end connected to the electronic device and provided between the two glass plates, and a plurality of bypass diodes provided between wirings extending from the other end side of the flexible substrate (see, for example, Patent Document 1).
[0003] International Publication No. 2023 / 045945
[0004] By the way, in the conventional window glass, since a plurality of bypass diodes are provided between wirings extending from the other end side of a flexible substrate having one end provided between the two glass plates of the laminated glass, the bypass diodes are affected by heat when thermocompression bonding is performed on the laminated glass. Since the bypass diodes may deteriorate when heated, the electrical reliability decreases.
[0005] Therefore, an aspect of the present disclosure aims to provide window glass for vehicles with high electrical reliability and a method for manufacturing the same.
[0006] The vehicle window glass of the embodiment of the present disclosure includes a first glass plate having a first main surface and a second main surface, a second glass plate having a third main surface and a fourth main surface, and an interlayer provided between the second main surface and the third main surface, and is provided in an opening of the vehicle body, and is a laminated glass, a thin electrical component provided between the second main surface and the third main surface, and a flexible substrate having a first end located between the second main surface and the third main surface, and a second end located outside the first glass plate and the second glass plate, on which a plurality of bypass diodes can be mounted on the second end side, the flexible substrate having a first terminal connected to the thin electrical component on the first end side, and the second end side The wiring comprises: a first wiring having a second terminal connected to a first wire harness on the vehicle body side and a third terminal on the second end side to which one of the plurality of bypass diodes can be connected; a second wiring having a fourth terminal connected to the thin electrical component on the first end side, a fifth terminal connected to the second wire harness on the vehicle body side on the second end side and a sixth terminal on the second end side to which another of the plurality of bypass diodes can be connected; and a third wiring having a seventh terminal located between the first and second wirings and connected to the thin electrical component on the first end side and an eighth terminal that can be connected to two adjacent bypass diodes among the plurality of bypass diodes.
[0007] This disclosure provides electrically reliable vehicle window glass and a method for manufacturing vehicle window glass.
[0008] This figure shows an example of the configuration of a vehicle window glass 100 according to the embodiment. This figure shows an example of the configuration of the cross section taken along the line A-A in Figure 1A. This figure shows an example of a circuit configuration including a solar cell 120 and an FPC 130. This figure shows an example of the configuration of the FPC 130. This figure shows an example of the cross-sectional configuration of the FPC 130, and is an example of the configuration of the cross section taken along the line B-B in Figure 3A. This figure shows an example of the configuration of the FPC 130 in a modified example of the embodiment.
[0009] The following describes embodiments applying the vehicle window glass and the method for manufacturing the vehicle window glass described herein. In the following, the same elements may be denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant explanations may be omitted.
[0010] In the following, the length, diameter, thickness, etc., of each part may be exaggerated to make the structure easier to understand. Also, terms such as parallel, right angle, orthogonal, horizontal, vertical, up and down should be used with a degree of deviation that does not impair the effect of the embodiment.
[0011] <Embodiment> Figure 1A shows an example of the configuration of a vehicle window glass 100 according to the embodiment. Figure 1B shows an example of the configuration of the cross section in the direction of the A-A arrow in Figure 1A. Figure 1B shows a flange 12 and a wire harness 20 provided in the opening 11 of the vehicle body 10. Figure 1B also shows the FPC (Flexible Printed Circuit) 130 of the vehicle window glass 100. The FPC 130 is not shown in Figure 1A, but as an example, it is provided at the end of the vehicle window glass 100 on the -Y direction side. The FPC 130 is an example of a flexible substrate.
[0012] The following explanation defines and describes XYZ coordinates. The direction parallel to the X-axis (X direction), the direction parallel to the Y-axis (Y direction), and the direction parallel to the Z-axis (Z direction) are mutually orthogonal. The +Z direction side of the laminated glass 110 is the exterior side of the vehicle body 10. The Z-axis extends in the direction of the normal to the laminated glass 110. In the following, a plan view refers to viewing an object in the XY plane in the direction of the extension of the Z-axis. The +X direction is the front direction of the vehicle, and the +Y direction is the left direction of the vehicle.
[0013] Figure 1A shows an example of how the vehicle window glass 100 looks when viewed from above the vehicle body 10. In Figure 1A, the vehicle window glass 100 is shown as a flat plate, but the vehicle window glass 100 may be curved in any one direction or in two or more directions.
[0014] The vehicle window glass 100 is installed in the opening 11 of the vehicle body 10. Figure 1A shows the area around the opening 11 of the vehicle body 10.
[0015] The opening 11 is a window frame for installing a vehicle window glass 100, and is provided with a flange. The vehicle window glass 100 is installed in the opening 11 from the outside, for example, but it may also be installed from the inside.
[0016] Furthermore, although the planar shape of the laminated glass 110 is generally shown as rectangular in Figure 1A, the planar shape of the laminated glass 110 is not limited to a rectangle. For example, it may be an irregular rectangle, a trapezoid, or a triangular shape, or any other arbitrary shape. Here, the planar shape refers to the shape of the laminated glass 110 as viewed from the outside.
[0017] The vehicle window glass 100 can be applied to, for example, the roof glass, rear glass, rear side glass, quarter glass, extra glass, etc. of a vehicle, but here we will describe the form in which it is applied to the roof glass. Extra glass is glass that is installed below the rear glass of a vehicle in order to improve the rearward visibility of the vehicle driver. The vehicle referred to here is, for example, an EV (Electric Vehicle), a PHEV (Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle), a HV (Hybrid Vehicle), a gasoline car, or a diesel car. The vehicle may also be a train or a steam locomotive.
[0018] Furthermore, although this description focuses on a configuration in which the vehicle window glass 100 is fixed to the opening 11, the laminated glass 110 may be slidably mounted relative to the vehicle body 10. For example, when the laminated glass 110 is used as a roof glass or side glass, it may be configured to open and close relative to the opening 11 by a drive mechanism such as a motor or regulator provided on the vehicle body 10 side.
[0019] <Vehicle window glass 100> The vehicle window glass 100 includes laminated glass 110, a solar cell 120, and an FPC 130. The solar cell 120 is an example of a thin electrical component. The FPC 130 includes an example of a first flexible substrate and a second flexible substrate, but details will be described later.
[0020] Here, as an example, we will describe a configuration in which the thin electrical component is a solar cell 120, but the thin electrical component is not limited to a solar cell 120. The thin electrical component may be a dimming panel, a functional film, or a heating element or conductive film, and the solar cell 120 is an example of a functional film.
[0021] Examples of the solar cell 120 include silicon solar cells such as monocrystalline silicon, polycrystalline silicon, and amorphous silicon; perovskite solar cells; organic solar cells such as dye-sensitized solar cells; and compound solar cells such as gallium arsenide-based solar cells, CIS solar cells, and CIGS solar cells. Monocrystalline silicon solar cells, perovskite solar cells, and CIGS solar cells are preferred as the solar cell 120, monocrystalline silicon solar cells and perovskite solar cells are more preferred, and monocrystalline silicon solar cells are particularly preferred.
[0022] In the following explanation, we will use Figures 2, 3A, and 3B in addition to Figures 1A and 1B.
[0023] Figure 2 shows an example of a circuit configuration including a solar cell 120 and an FPC 130. Figure 3A shows an example of the configuration of the FPC 130. Figure 3B shows an example of the cross-sectional configuration of the FPC 130, and is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of the cross-section taken along the line B-B in Figure 3A.
[0024] Furthermore, Figure 1B shows a cross-sectional view taken along the line A-A in Figure 1A, and shows terminals 132A1, 132B1, and 132C1 of the FPC 130 wiring 132A, 132B, and 132C (see Figure 3A). In reality, terminals 132A1, 132B1, and 132C1 are arranged in the X direction, so the cross-sectional view taken along the line A-A in Figure 1A contains only one of terminals 132A1, 132B1, and 132C1. However, to indicate the position of terminals 132A1, 132B1, and 132C1 in the YZ plane view, the reference numerals for terminals 132A1, 132B1, and 132C1 are indicated in Figure 1B.
[0025] When the vehicle window glass 100 is attached to the flange 12 of the opening 11 of the vehicle body 10, a urethane sealant 30 (see Figure 1B) is applied. The urethane sealant 30 is an example of an adhesive. The urethane sealant 30 is applied in a frame-like manner along the outer edge of the laminated glass 110 in a plan view. The urethane sealant 30 is applied across the shielding layer 114 provided on the fourth main surface 112B of the laminated glass 110 and the FPC 130. That is, in the section of the frame-like portion along the outer edge of the laminated glass 110 in a plan view where the FPC 130 is present, the urethane sealant 30 is applied to the surface of the FPC 130 on the -Z direction side, and in the section where the FPC 130 is not present, the urethane sealant 30 is applied to the surface of the shielding layer 114 on the -Z direction side. Figure 1B shows a cross-section of the section where the FPC 130 is present. Since the urethane sealant 30 is applied to both the shielding layer 114 and the FPC 130, the laminated glass 110 can be firmly fixed to the vehicle body 10. Alternatively, the urethane sealant 30 may be applied to the fourth main surface 112B of the second glass plate 112 instead of the shielding layer 114.
[0026] In a plan view, the inside of the frame-shaped urethane sealant 30 within the vehicle window glass 100 is the interior side, and the outside of the urethane sealant 30 is the exterior side. In Figure 1B, the side of the urethane sealant 30 in the +Y direction is the interior side, and the side of the urethane sealant 30 in the -Y direction is the exterior side.
[0027] Note that in Figure 1B, the interior panels on the inside of the vehicle body 10 are omitted, but the FPC 130 is covered by the interior panels on the inside of the vehicle body 10 and is therefore not visible from the inside.
[0028] <Laminated Glass 110> Laminated glass 110 has a first glass plate 111, a second glass plate 112, an interlayer 113, and a shielding layer 114. Laminated glass 110 is formed by bonding a first glass plate 111, which is provided on the exterior side of the vehicle body 10, and a second glass plate 112, which is provided on the interior side of the vehicle body 10, via an interlayer 113 placed between the first glass plate 111 and the second glass plate 112. In addition, a solar cell 120 and an FPC 130 are provided in a portion between the first glass plate 111 and the second glass plate 112. Note that a Low-e film using a metal film or a conductive oxide film may be provided on the fourth main surface 112B on the interior side of the second glass plate 112, but this is omitted in Figure 1B.
[0029] The total thickness of the laminated glass 110 is preferably 2.8 mm or more and 10 mm or less. The total thickness of the laminated glass 110 is the thickness of the laminated glass 110 between the first main surface 111A on the outdoor side of the first glass plate 111 and the fourth main surface 112B on the indoor side of the second glass plate 112. If the total thickness of the laminated glass 110 is 2.8 mm or more, sufficient rigidity can be ensured. If the total thickness of the laminated glass 110 is 10 mm or less, sufficient light transmittance can be ensured and the mass will not become too large. Note that the total thickness here, and the thickness described thereafter, refers to the length in the Z direction.
[0030] <First glass plate 111 and second glass plate 112> The first glass plate 111 and the second glass plate 112 are transparent, plate-shaped glass plates. The first glass plate 111 has a first main surface 111A on the outdoor side, a second main surface 111B on the indoor side, and a first side surface 111C. The first side surface 111C is an end surface connecting the first main surface 111A and the second main surface 111B. The second glass plate 112 has a third main surface 112A on the outdoor side, a fourth main surface 112B on the indoor side, and a second side surface 112C. The second side surface 112C is an end surface connecting the third main surface 112A and the fourth main surface 112B. The first glass plate 111 and the second glass plate 112 may be flat or curved in any one direction or two or more directions.
[0031] The first glass plate 111 and the second glass plate 112 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 are used without particular limitation. From the viewpoint of scratch resistance, the first glass plate 111 is preferably inorganic glass. Furthermore, from the viewpoint of manufacturing cost and moldability, the first glass plate 111 and the second glass plate 112 are particularly preferably soda-lime glass. When the first glass plate 111 and the second glass plate 112 are soda-lime glass, clear glass, green glass containing a predetermined amount or more of iron, UV-cut green glass, privacy glass, etc., can be used. If the thin electrical component is a solar cell 120, to improve power generation efficiency, the first glass plate 111 is preferably clear glass containing a predetermined amount or less of iron, or high-transparency glass.
[0032] If the first glass plate 111 and the second glass plate 112 are inorganic glass, the first glass plate 111 and the second glass plate 112 may be either untempered glass or tempered glass. Untempered glass is made by forming molten glass into a plate and slowly cooling it. Tempered glass is made by forming a compressive stress layer on the surface of untempered glass, and may be either air-cooled tempered glass or chemically tempered glass.
[0033] If the tempered glass is physically tempered glass (for example, air-cooled tempered 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, such as by rapidly cooling a uniformly heated glass plate from a temperature near its softening point during bending. If the tempered glass is chemically tempered glass, the glass surface may be strengthened after bending by creating compressive stress on the glass surface by an ion exchange method or the like. In addition, the first glass plate 111 and the second glass plate 112 may be glass plates that absorb ultraviolet or infrared rays. The first glass plate 111 and the second glass plate 112 are preferably transparent, but they may be glass plates that are colored to an extent that does not impair transparency.
[0034] On the other hand, examples of materials for organic glass include polycarbonate, acrylic resins such as polymethyl methacrylate, and transparent resins such as polyvinyl chloride and polystyrene.
[0035] The laminated glass 110 may have a curved shape such that the exterior side is convex when it is attached to the vehicle body 10. The laminated glass 110 may have a single-bend shape formed by bending in only one direction, or it may have a double-bend shape formed by bending in two directions. These two directions are, for example, the vertical direction and the left-right direction perpendicular to the vertical direction when the laminated glass 110 is attached to the vehicle body 10. Gravity forming, press forming, or roller forming can be used to bend the laminated glass 110. When the laminated glass 110 is bent to a predetermined curvature, the radius of curvature of the laminated glass 110 may be between 1,000 mm and 100,000 mm.
[0036] Furthermore, when the laminated glass 110 is attached to the vehicle body 10, the thickness of the first glass plate 111 located on the exterior side and the thickness of the second glass plate 112 located on the interior side may be the same or different. The thickness of the first glass plate 111 is preferably 1.0 mm or more and 4.2 mm or less, and more preferably 1.1 mm or more and 3.6 mm or less. If the thickness of the first glass plate 111 is 1.0 mm or more, the strength such as resistance to flying stones is sufficient, and if it is 3.6 mm or less, the mass of the laminated glass 110 does not become too large, which is preferable in terms of vehicle fuel efficiency. The thickness of the second glass plate 112 is preferably 0.3 mm or more and 2.7 mm or less, and more preferably 0.5 mm or more and 2.3 mm or less. If the thickness of the second glass plate 112 is 0.3 mm or more, the handling of the second glass plate 112 is good, and if it is 2.7 mm or less, the mass of the laminated glass 110 does not become too large. It is preferable that the thickness of the first glass plate 111 and the second glass plate 112 are 1.8 mm or less, as this allows for both weight reduction and sound insulation of the laminated glass 110. If the thickness of the second glass plate 112 is 1.0 mm or less, the second glass plate 112 may be chemically strengthened glass. If the second glass plate 112 is chemically strengthened glass, it is preferable that the compressive stress value of the glass surface is 300 MPa or more, and the depth of the compressive stress layer is 2 μm or more. Here, the thickness preferably refers to the thickness of the thinnest parts of the first glass plate 111 and the second glass plate 112.
[0037] The first glass plate 111 preferably has sufficient impact resistance for use in vehicles. This impact resistance can be evaluated, for example, using the impact resistance test in UN R43. The impact resistance test is used to determine whether safety glass, such as laminated glass for automobiles, has the necessary adhesion or strength against the impact of small, hard flying objects. Specifically, the test is performed by holding the laminated glass (safety glass) at a predetermined temperature, then placing the first glass plate 111 with its first main surface 111A facing upwards on a support frame, and allowing a steel ball to fall naturally from a predetermined height.
[0038] Furthermore, at least one of the first main surface 111A of the first glass plate 111 and the fourth main surface 112B of the second glass plate 112 may be coated with a film having water-repellent, ultraviolet and infrared-cutting functions, a film having low reflectivity, low emissivity, stain resistance, or condensation prevention properties. Also, at least one of the second main surface 111B of the first glass plate 111 and the third main surface 112A of the second glass plate 112 may be coated with a film having ultraviolet and infrared-cutting, low emissivity, visible light absorption, coloring, etc. Furthermore, a low-emissivity coating may be formed on the fourth main surface 112B of the second glass plate 112.
[0039] In other words, at least one of the first glass plate 111 and the second glass plate 112 may have one or more of the following: a water-repellent layer, an ultraviolet-blocking layer, an infrared-reflecting layer, a low-reflectance layer, a low-emissivity layer, a condensation-preventing layer, a visible light-absorbing layer, and a colored layer.
[0040] <Interlayer 113> The interlayer 113 is provided between the first glass plate 111 and the second glass plate 112. Preferably, the interlayer 113 surrounds the side surface of the solar cell 120. The side surface of the solar cell 120 is the end face connecting the surface on the +Z direction side and the surface on the -Z direction side of the solar cell 120. The terminals 132A1, 132B1, and 132C1 of the wiring 132A, 132B, and 132C of the FPC 130 are connected to the terminal 121 located on the -Y direction side of the solar cell 120. For this reason, the interlayer 113 surrounds not only the side surface of the solar cell 120, but also the terminal 121, the joint between the terminals 132A1, 132B1, and 132C1, and the portion of the FPC 130 located between the first glass plate 111 and the second glass plate 112.
[0041] The interlayer 113 has a first interlayer 113A that is joined to the first glass plate 111, a second interlayer 113B that is joined to the second glass plate 112, and a frame-shaped third interlayer 113C that is located between the first interlayer 113A and the second interlayer 113B and surrounds the side surface of the solar cell 120. In this example, the third interlayer 113C surrounds the side surface of the solar cell 120, but the third interlayer 113C is not required. Even if the third interlayer 113C is not provided, if the side surface of the solar cell 120 is located inward in a plan view from the first side surface 111C of the first glass plate 111 or the second side surface 112C of the second glass plate 112, then at least one of the first interlayer 113A and the second interlayer 113B will deform during the heat bonding process in the manufacturing process of the laminated glass 110, thereby surrounding the side surface of the solar cell 120. When the thickness of the solar cell 120 is large, the difference in thickness between the part where the solar cell 120 is located and the part outside the solar cell 120 becomes large in a plan view. Therefore, it is preferable to provide a third interlayer film 113C to bridge the thickness difference.
[0042] As an example, a configuration in which the first interlayer 113A, the second interlayer 113B, and the third interlayer 113C are separate and joined together during the manufacturing of the laminated glass 110 will be described. However, the configuration is not limited to this, and for example, when a highly fluid material is poured between the first glass plate 111 and the second glass plate 112 to form the interlayer 113, the interlayer 113 may be an integral part.
[0043] As the interlayer 113, thermoplastic resins are often used, such as plasticized polyvinyl acetal resins, plasticized polyvinyl chloride resins, saturated polyester resins, plasticized saturated polyester resins, polyurethane resins, plasticized polyurethane resins, ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer resins, ethylene-ethyl acrylate copolymer resins, cycloolefin polymer resins, and ionomer resins. In addition, resin compositions containing modified block copolymer hydrides described in Japanese Patent No. 6065221 can also be suitably used.
[0044] Among these materials for the intermediate film 113, a plasticized polyvinyl acetal - based resin is preferably used because it has an excellent balance of various properties such as transparency, weather resistance, strength, adhesion, puncture resistance, impact energy absorption, moisture resistance, heat insulation, and sound insulation. These thermoplastic resins may be used alone or in combination of two or more kinds. "Plasticized" in the above - mentioned plasticized polyvinyl acetal - based resin means that it is plasticized by the addition of a plasticizer. The same applies to other plasticized resins. Also, when the vehicle window glass 100 includes the solar cell 120 as a thin electric component and transparency is not required for the second intermediate film 113B and the third intermediate film 113C, the second intermediate film 113B and the third intermediate film 113C may be opaque and colored.
[0045] However, when enclosing the solar cell 120 in the intermediate film 113, depending on the type of the enclosed object, it may be deteriorated by a specific plasticizer. In that case, it is preferable to use a resin that does not substantially contain that plasticizer. That is, there are cases where it is preferable that the intermediate film 113 does not contain a plasticizer. Examples of the resin that does not contain a plasticizer include ethylene - vinyl acetate copolymer - based resins.
[0046] Examples of the above - mentioned polyvinyl acetal - based resin include polyvinyl formal resin obtained by reacting polyvinyl alcohol (hereinafter, sometimes referred to as PVA) with formaldehyde, a polyvinyl acetal - based resin in a narrow sense obtained by reacting PVA with acetaldehyde, polyvinyl butyral resin (hereinafter, sometimes referred to as PVB) obtained by reacting PVA with n - butyraldehyde, etc. Among them, particularly, PVB is preferably used because it has an excellent balance of various properties such as transparency, weather resistance, strength, adhesion, puncture resistance, impact energy absorption, moisture resistance, heat insulation, and sound insulation. These polyvinyl acetal - based resins may be used alone or in combination of two or more kinds.
[0047] As the intermediate film 113, a curable transparent resin also known as Optical Clear Resin (OCR) or a transparent adhesive sheet also known as Optical Clear Adhesive (OCA) may be used. By using a curable transparent resin or a transparent adhesive sheet, it becomes possible to produce a laminate (laminated glass) at room temperature, which is more desirable. As the curable transparent resin or the transparent adhesive sheet, resins such as acrylic, silicone, urethane acrylate, and epoxy are used. Note that these curable transparent resins and transparent adhesive sheets may be used alone or in combination of two or more.
[0048] The material forming the intermediate film 113 is not limited to thermoplastic resins. Further, the intermediate film 113 may contain functional particles such as infrared absorbers, ultraviolet absorbers, and light emitters. Further, the intermediate film 113 may have a colored portion, or a colored intermediate film and a clear intermediate film may be combined to form the intermediate film 113.
[0049] The thickness of the intermediate film 113 is preferably 0.3 mm or more at the thinnest part. When the thickness of the thinnest part of the intermediate film 113 is 0.3 mm or more, the impact resistance required for the laminated glass 110 becomes sufficient. The thickness of the intermediate film 113 is preferably 3 mm or less at the thickest part. When the maximum value of the thickness of the intermediate film 113 is 3 mm or less, the mass of the laminated glass 110 does not become too large. The maximum value of the thickness of the intermediate film 113 is more preferably 2.8 mm or less, and even more preferably 2.6 mm or less.
[0050] Note that the thickness of the intermediate film 113 refers to the thickness of only the intermediate film 113 excluding the thickness of the solar cell 120. Therefore, the thickness of the intermediate film 113 refers to the length obtained by subtracting the thickness of the solar cell 120 from the thickness from the interface (second main surface 111B) of the first intermediate film 113A with the first glass plate 111 to the interface (third main surface 112A) of the second intermediate film 113B with the second glass plate 112.
[0051] Further, the thickest part of the intermediate film 113 is, for example, a part that does not sandwich the solar cell 120 (a part that does not overlap the solar cell 120 in plan view). The thinnest part of the intermediate film 113 is, for example, a part that sandwiches the solar cell 120 (a part that overlaps the solar cell 120 in plan view).
[0052] Furthermore, while it is desirable that the first interlayer 113A, the second interlayer 113B, and the third interlayer 113C included in the interlayer 113 be formed from the same material, some or all of the first interlayer 113A, the second interlayer 113B, and the third interlayer 113C may be formed from different materials. For example, the first interlayer 113A and the second interlayer 113B may be formed from the same material, and the third interlayer 113C may be formed from a different material.
[0053] <Shielding layer 114> The shielding layer 114 is an opaque layer. The shielding layer 114 is, for example, an opaque colored (e.g., black) ceramic layer. The shielding layer 114 may be a light-shielding colored interlayer or colored film, or a combination of a colored interlayer and a colored ceramic layer. The colored film may be integrated with an infrared reflective film or the like. Opaque here means that the visible light transmittance is 5% or less, preferably 3% or less, more preferably 1% or less, and also includes substantially 0%. The shielding layer 114 suppresses the deterioration of the resin, such as urethane, that holds the laminated glass 110 to the vehicle body 10 due to ultraviolet rays.
[0054] The shielding layer 114 can be formed, for example, by applying a ceramic color paste containing a black pigment and a fusible glass frit onto a glass plate by screen printing or the like, and then firing it, but is not limited to this. The shielding layer 114 may also be formed, for example, by applying an organic ink containing a black or dark-colored pigment onto a glass plate by screen printing, inkjet printing or the like, and then drying it.
[0055] As an example, the shielding layer 114 is provided in a strip shape along the outer edge of the laminated glass 110. Specifically, as shown in Figure 1A, the shielding layer 114 is provided in a strip shape along the outer edge of the laminated glass 110 in a plan view. The shielding layer 114 is visible from the outside of the laminated glass 110.
[0056] As shown in Figure 1B, the shielding layer 114 is formed, for example, on the second main surface 111B of the first glass plate 111 and the fourth main surface 112B of the second glass plate 112. Here, as an example, the shape and size of the two shielding layers 114 formed on the second main surface 111B and the fourth main surface 112B are assumed to be the same in plan view, but they may be different. For example, the outer edge of the shielding layer 114 is located on the outer edge of the first glass plate 111 and the second glass plate 112. Also, in plan view, the shielding layer 114 partially overlaps with the solar cell 120.
[0057] The width of the shielding layer 114 should be sufficient to conceal the portion of the FPC 130 that extends along the fourth main surface 112B, as well as the wire harness 20, etc. Multiple bypass diodes 135 are mounted on the portion of the FPC 130 that extends along the fourth main surface 112B.
[0058] The FPC 130 is attached to the fourth main surface 112B on the outside of the laminated glass 110 via the shielding layer 114 of the fourth main surface 112B and double-sided tape. The width of the shielding layer 114 is the width in the Y direction in Figure 1B, and the width of the rectangular annular band-shaped portion in Figure 1A. In other words, the width of the shielding layer 114 is the width in the direction perpendicular to the inner edge of the rectangular annular shielding layer 114 in a plan view.
[0059] Furthermore, the shielding layer 114 is not limited to being formed on the second main surface 111B and the fourth main surface 112B, but may be formed on either the second main surface 111B or the fourth main surface 112B, or on the third main surface 112A only. The shielding layer 114 may be formed in combination on the second main surface 111B and the fourth main surface 112B, the second main surface 111B and the third main surface 112A, or the third main surface 112A and the fourth main surface 112B. In addition, the shielding layer 114 may be provided on the surface of the first interlayer 113A or the second interlayer 113B, or it may be embedded inside the first interlayer 113A or the second interlayer 113B.
[0060] <Solar Cell 120> The solar cell 120 is an example of a thin electrical component and a functional film. "Thin" means having a thickness that is thin enough to be placed between the two first glass plates 111 and the second glass plate 112 of the laminated glass 110.
[0061] The solar cell 120 is constructed by wiring multiple solar cells together. As shown in Figure 1A, the solar cell 120 is, for example, rectangular in plan view and is positioned to fit inside the outer edge of the rectangular laminated glass 110 in plan view. Here, we describe a configuration in which the solar cell 120 is rectangular in plan view, but the shape of the solar cell 120 in plan view is not limited to rectangular. The solar cell 120 may have a region with solar cells and a region without solar cells in plan view. Furthermore, the solar cell 120 may be an irregularly shaped rectangle or any other shape to match the shape of the laminated glass 110 in plan view, or the solar cell 120 may be any shape that fits inside the outer edge of the laminated glass 110 without matching the shape of the laminated glass 110 in plan view.
[0062] The solar cell 120 is, for example, a device that generates electricity by photoelectric conversion of light transmitted through the first glass plate 111 and the first interlayer film 113A. For example, the solar cell 120 is provided in the area that covers the opening 11 of the entire area of the laminated glass 110 in a plan view, but it may also be provided in a configuration that covers only a part of the area of the laminated glass 110.
[0063] Terminals 132A1, 132B1, and 132C1 of the wirings 132A, 132B, and 132C of the FPC 130 are connected to terminal 121 located on the -Y direction side of the solar cell 120. If the FPC 130 has three wirings 132A, 132B, and 132C, the solar cell 120 will have three terminals 121. Since the wire harness 20 is connected to the FPC 130, the solar cell 120 is connected to the vehicle's electronic equipment and battery, etc., via the FPC 130 and the wire harness 20.
[0064] <Circuit configuration including solar cell 120 and FPC 130> As shown in Figure 2, the solar cell 120 has multiple clusters 120A. The solar cell 120 has two or more clusters 120A, but Figure 2 shows three clusters 120A as an example. Each cluster 120A includes multiple photoelectric conversion elements. Here, we describe a configuration in which the vehicle window glass 100 includes one set of solar cell 120 and FPC 130, but the vehicle window glass 100 may include two or more sets of solar cell 120 and FPC 130.
[0065] The solar cell 120 is connected to a positive (+) wire harness 20 and a negative (-) wire harness 20 via an FPC 130. The two wire harnesses 20 are connected to the vehicle's electronic equipment, battery, etc.
[0066] In Figure 2, the FPC 130 is shown in a simplified form, omitting all but the three bypass diodes 135. The FPC 130 has the same number of bypass diodes 135 as the clusters 120A of the solar cell 120. In Figure 2, three bypass diodes 135 are shown to represent three clusters 120A. The three bypass diodes 135 are connected in parallel to each of the three clusters 120A. That is, one bypass diode 135 is connected in parallel to each cluster 120A. Furthermore, the three bypass diodes 135 have a rectification direction from the side of the FPC 130 connected to the negative polarity (-) wire harness 20 to the side connected to the positive polarity (+) wire harness 20.
[0067] When the three clusters 120A are generating power, current flows between the two wire harnesses 20 through a path in which the three clusters 120A are connected in series. Also, when no light is hitting any of the clusters 120A and they are not generating power, or when any of the clusters 120A fail, current flows through the bypass diode 135 connected in parallel to that cluster 120A. This is because the cluster 120A acts as a resistor, consuming the power generated by the other clusters 120A and suppressing heat generation.
[0068] <FPC130> The FPC130 is provided to connect the solar cell 120 and the wire harness 20 and to extract the power generated by the solar cell 120. As an example, the FPC130 is provided on one side of the outer edge of the laminated glass 110, as shown in Figure 1B. Figure 3A shows the configuration of the FPC130 having two bypass diodes 135. The FPC130 having two bypass diodes 135 corresponds to a solar cell 120 containing two clusters 120A. Here, let N be the number of bypass diodes 135. N is an integer of 2 or more. The number of bypass diodes 135 N is equal to the number of clusters 120A. In the case of vehicle window glass 100, the integer N is preferably 2 or 3.
[0069] Figure 3A shows the portion of the FPC 130 that is provided on the fourth main surface 112B. Figure 3A shows the state before the FPC 130 and the two wire harnesses 20 are connected.
[0070] The FPC 130 is positioned on the fourth main surface 112B, straddling the urethane sealant 30 (see Figure 1A). The position where the FPC 130 straddles the urethane sealant 30 is indicated by the dashed line D in Figure 3A. In Figure 3A, the part of the FPC 130 on the +Y side of the dashed line D is located on the indoor side of the urethane sealant 30, and the part on the -Y side of the dashed line D is located on the outdoor side of the urethane sealant 30.
[0071] As shown in Figures 3A and 3B, the FPC 130 has a substrate 131, a plurality of wirings 132A, 132B, 132C, a coverlay 133, and a plurality of bypass diodes 135. The substrate 131 and the coverlay 133 are examples of insulating layers. Wiring 132A is an example of a first wiring, wiring 132B is an example of a second wiring, and wiring 132C is an example of a third wiring. Here, when wirings 132A, 132B, and 132C are not distinguished, they are referred to as wiring 132. The total number of wirings 132 is N+1, which is one more than the number N of bypass diodes 135. Figure 3A shows one of each of wirings 132A, 132B, and 132C.
[0072] As shown in Figure 2, if there are four clusters 120A, there will also be four bypass diodes 135, in which case there will be one wire each of 132A and 132C, and two wires 132B. If there are five or more clusters 120A and bypass diodes 135, there will be one wire each of 132A and 132C, and three or more wires 132B.
[0073] The wirings 132A, 132B, and 132C are formed on one surface of the substrate 131 and covered by the coverlay 133. The substrate 131 and the coverlay 133 are fixed to each other by lamination with the wirings 132A, 132B, and 132C sandwiched between them, or by bonding them with an adhesive. However, the substrate 131 and the coverlay 133 may be fixed in a configuration other than lamination or bonding with the wirings 132A, 132B, and 132C sandwiched between them.
[0074] <Wiring 132A> Wiring 132A is located furthest to the +X direction among wirings 132A, 132B, and 132C. Wiring 132A has an outdoor terminal 132A1 (see Figure 1B) and indoor terminals 132A2 and 132A3 (see Figure 3A). Wiring 132A is an example of the first wiring. Terminal 132A1 is an example of the first terminal, terminal 132A2 is an example of the second terminal, and terminal 132A3 is an example of the third terminal.
[0075] The portion of the wiring 132A not shown in Figure 3A extends from the fourth main surface 112B along the second side surface 112C and the third main surface 112A to terminal 132A1, as shown as FPC 130 in Figure 1B. The lower side of Figure 3A shows an arrow indicating the direction in which the wiring 132A extends to terminal 132A1.
[0076] Of the wiring 132A, the portion shown in Figure 3A (the portion located on the fourth main surface 112B) extends in a crank shape. Terminal 132A3 protrudes in the +X direction from the portion connecting terminals 132A1 and 132A2, and is located on the +X side of terminal 132C2, the terminal on the +X side of the two terminals 132C2 of wiring 132C.
[0077] Terminals 132A2 and 132A3 are portions of the wiring 132A that are exposed by openings 133A1 and 133A2 in the coverlay 133, respectively.
[0078] A positive (+) wire harness 20 is connected to terminal 132A2. The cathode terminal of the bypass diode 135 on the +X side is connected to terminal 132A3.
[0079] <Wiring 132B> Wiring 132B is located furthest to the -X direction among wirings 132A, 132B, and 132C. Wiring 132B has an outdoor terminal 132B1 (see Figure 1B) and indoor terminals 132B2 and 132B3 (see Figure 3A). Wiring 132B is an example of the second wiring. Terminal 132B1 is an example of the fourth terminal, terminal 132B2 is an example of the fifth terminal, and terminal 132B3 is an example of the sixth terminal.
[0080] The portion of the wiring 132B not shown in Figure 3A extends from the fourth main surface 112B along the second side surface 112C and the third main surface 112A to terminal 132B1, as shown as FPC 130 in Figure 1B. The lower side of Figure 3A shows an arrow indicating the direction in which the wiring 132B extends to terminal 132B1.
[0081] Of the wiring 132B, the portion shown in Figure 3A (the portion located on the fourth main surface 112B) extends in a crank shape. Of the wiring 132B, the portion shown in Figure 3A (the portion located on the fourth main surface 112B) has a shape that is line-symmetric to the portion of wiring 132A shown in Figure 3A, for example, with respect to a straight line passing through the center of wiring 132C in the X direction and extending in the Y direction as the axis of symmetry. Terminal 132B3 protrudes in the -X direction from the portion connecting terminals 132B1 and 132B2, and is located on the -X direction side of terminal 132C2, the terminal on the -X direction side of the two terminals 132C2 of wiring 132C.
[0082] Terminals 132B2 and 132B3 are portions of the wiring 132B that are exposed by openings 133B1 and 133B2 in the coverlay 133, respectively.
[0083] A negative polarity (-) wire harness 20 is connected to terminal 132B2. The anode terminal of the bypass diode 135 on the -X direction is connected to terminal 132B3.
[0084] <Wiring 132C> Wiring 132C is located in the center in the X direction among wirings 132A, 132B, and 132C, and is located between wirings 132A and 132B. Wiring 132C has an outdoor terminal 132C1 (see Figure 1B) and two indoor terminals 132C2 (see Figure 3A). Wiring 132C is an example of a third wiring. Terminal 132C1 is an example of a seventh terminal, and the two terminals 132C2 are an example of an eighth terminal. One of the two terminals 132C2 is an example of a first connection terminal, and the other is an example of a second connection terminal.
[0085] The portion of the wiring 132C not shown in Figure 3A extends from the fourth main surface 112B along the second side surface 112C and the third main surface 112A to terminal 132C1, as shown as FPC 130 in Figure 1B. The lower part of Figure 3A shows an arrow indicating the direction in which the wiring 132C extends to terminal 132C1.
[0086] Of the wiring 132C, the portion shown in Figure 3A (the portion located on the fourth main surface 112B) has a T-shape in which a portion extending in the Y direction and a portion extending in the X direction are connected. Of the wirings 132A and 132B, the portion shown in Figure 3A (the portion located on the fourth main surface 112B) extends in a crank shape, avoiding the portion of wiring 132C shown in Figure 3A (the portion located on the fourth main surface 112B), as an example. The two terminals 132C2 are located at both ends of the portion of the T-shape that extends in the X direction. The two terminals 132C2 are arranged in the X direction between terminal 132A3 of wiring 132A and terminal 132B3 of wiring 132B.
[0087] The two terminals 132C2 are the portions of the wiring 132C that are exposed by the two openings 133C1 of the coverlay 133. The anode terminal of the bypass diode 135 on the +X side is connected to the terminal 132C2 on the +X side. The cathode terminal of the bypass diode 135 on the -X side is connected to the terminal 132C2 on the -X side.
[0088] Alternatively, the two openings 133C1 of the coverlay 133 may be combined into a single opening. In this case, the two terminals 132C2 will be combined into a single terminal.
[0089] Furthermore, terminal 132C1 may be configured to protrude from the substrate 131 and coverlay 133, or to be exposed through an opening provided in the coverlay 133. The same applies to terminals 132A1 and 132B1.
[0090] The substrate 131 and coverlay 133 are, for example, made of a flexible resin film such as polyimide, and the wiring 132A, 132B, and 132C are, for example, wiring patterned with copper foil. Note that both the substrate 131 and coverlay 133 may be considered as a single substrate. Furthermore, the substrate 131 and coverlay 133 may also contain a heat dissipation filler.
[0091] The portions of the FPC 130 on the terminals 132A1, 132B1, and 132C1 side (see Figure 1B) are sandwiched between the first interlayer 113A and the second interlayer 113B, connected to the three terminals 121 of the solar cell 120, respectively, between the first glass plate 111 and the second glass plate 112 at the -Y direction end of the laminated glass 110. For example, there may be overlapping portions between the first glass plate 111 and the second glass plate 112 of the terminals 132A1, 132B1, and 132C1 and the three terminals 121, but there may be no overlapping portions. Note that the terminals 132A1, 132B1, and 132C1 of the FPC 130 and the three terminals 121 of the solar cell 120 may be connected via copper foil wires or the like (not shown).
[0092] The FPC 130 is bent twice along the second side surface 112C from the portion on the terminals 132A1, 132B1, and 132C1 (see Figure 1B) to the portion provided on the fourth main surface 112B, and extends along the third main surface 112A, the second side surface 112C, and the fourth main surface 112B.
[0093] The portion of the FPC 130 that extends along the fourth main surface 112B is, for example, attached to the shielding layer 114 of the fourth main surface 112B by double-sided tape. Alternatively, the portion of the FPC 130 that extends along the fourth main surface 112B may be attached to the fourth main surface 112B by double-sided tape.
[0094] The anode terminal of the bypass diode 135 on the +X side is connected to the terminal 132C2 on the +X side, and the cathode terminal of the bypass diode 135 on the +X side is connected to the terminal 132A3. The anode terminal of the bypass diode 135 on the -X side is connected to the terminal 132B3, and the cathode terminal of the bypass diode 135 on the -X side is connected to the terminal 132C2 on the -X side.
[0095] The two bypass diodes 135 can be connected to terminal 132A3, the two terminals 132C2, and terminal 132B3 by soldering or the like after the FPC 130 (excluding the bypass diodes 135) and the laminated glass 110 have been integrated using a heat-pressing process.
[0096] Furthermore, in this state where the bypass diode 135 is mounted on the FPC 130, the bypass diode 135 is not protected by the resin layer or the like. Also, terminals 132A2, 132A3, the two terminals 132C2, and terminals 132B2 and 132B3 are not protected by the resin layer or the like.
[0097] Therefore, the bypass diodes 135 and the like may be protected by sealing. For example, a frame-shaped member can be fixed to the fourth main surface 112B in the region E (see Figure 3A) surrounding the two diodes 135 and terminals 132A2, 132A3, two terminals 132C2, and terminals 132B2 and 132B3, and the inside of the frame-shaped member can be filled with silicone rubber or the like to perform sealing. By performing such sealing, the connections between the two diodes 135 and terminals 132A2, 132A3, two terminals 132C2, and terminals 132B2 and 132B3 can be protected from condensation, and a more reliable vehicle window glass 100 can be provided.
[0098] Furthermore, the connections between terminals 132A2 and 132B2 and the connector 21 of the wire harness 20, and the connections between the two diodes 135 and terminals 132A3, the two terminals 132C2, and terminal 132B3, can be made by soldering, for example. As for the solder, lead-free solder such as silver-tin solder or silver-tin-copper solder can be used, for example. Alternatively, the connections can be made by bonding with a conductive adhesive, or by heat welding or ultrasonic welding. In addition, the wires of the wire harness 20 can be directly connected to terminal 132B1 without going through the connector 21.
[0099] As described above, the FPC 130 has a structure in which wiring 132A, 132B, and 132C provided on the substrate 131 are covered with a coverlay 133, making it very thin and highly flexible. For this reason, routing the FPC 130 from the +Y direction end of the solar cell 120 provided between the first glass plate 111 and the second glass plate 112, along the second side surface 112C and the fourth main surface 112B, and connecting it to the connector 21 of the wire harness 20 is very easy. Furthermore, the ease of routing leads to improved electrical reliability of wiring 132A, 132B, and 132C, because disconnections and damage to the wiring 132A, 132B, and 132C are less likely to occur. By using the FPC 130, routing of wiring 132A, 132B, and 132C can be made easier, and electrical reliability can be improved.
[0100] If a negative (-) wire harness 20 is connected to terminal 132A2 and a positive (+) wire harness 20 is connected to terminal 132B2, the rectification direction of the multiple bypass diodes 135 should be reversed.
[0101] <Manufacturing Method for Vehicle Window Glass 100> In the vehicle window glass 100, the bypass diode 135 of the FPC 130 can be added later. For the part of the FPC 130 other than the bypass diode 135, terminals 132A1, 132B1, and 132C1 are connected to terminal 121 of the solar cell 120, and with the laminated glass 110 sandwiched between the first glass plate 111 and the second glass plate 112, the first glass plate 111 and the second glass plate 112 are heated and pressed together, and then the bypass diode 135 can be attached to terminal 132A3, the two terminals 132C2, and terminal 132B3.
[0102] In other words, the FPC 130, with terminals 132A1, 132B1, and 132C1 connected to the solar cell 120, and the solar cell 120 are sandwiched together with the interlayer 113 between the glass plates 111 and 112, and then heat-pressed. After heat-pressing, terminals 132A3, 132B3, and 132C2 of the FPC 130 are connected to the multiple bypass diodes 135.
[0103] In this way, since the bypass diode 135 is not connected to terminals 132A3, 132B3, and 132C2 during the heat-sealing process, the bypass diode 135 is not affected by the heat during the heat-sealing process and is not pressurized during the heat-sealing process.
[0104] Therefore, degradation of the bypass diode 135 due to heat can be suppressed, and a highly reliable vehicle window glass 100 can be provided. In addition, since the bypass diode 135 is not pressurized during the heat-sealing process, there is no need to protect the bypass diode 135 during the heat-sealing process, making the manufacturing process simpler.
[0105] <Modified FPC 130 of the Embodiment> Figure 3C shows an example of the configuration of a modified FPC 130 of the embodiment. In Figure 3C, the same reference numerals are used for components corresponding to each component of the FPC 130 shown in Figure 3A, and explanations other than differences in arrangement are omitted.
[0106] The FPC 130 shown in Figure 3C has a configuration in which terminals 132A3 and 132B3 are positioned on the +Y direction side of the two terminals 132C2, and terminals 132A2 and 132B2 are offset on the +Y direction side. Terminal 132A3 protrudes in the -X direction from the portion of wiring 132A connecting terminals 132A1 and 132A2, and terminal 132B3 protrudes in the +X direction from the portion of wiring 132B connecting terminals 132B1 and 132B2. As a result, the section between the anode and cathode terminals of the two bypass diodes 135 is arranged along the Y direction.
[0107] Even when using the FPC 130 shown in Figure 3C, the degradation of the bypass diode 135 due to heat can be suppressed, just as when using the FPC 130 shown in Figure 3A, and a highly reliable vehicle window glass 100 can be provided. Furthermore, since the bypass diode 135 is not pressurized during the heat-sealing process, there is no need to protect the bypass diode 135 during the heat-sealing process, making the manufacturing process simpler.
[0108] <Effects> One embodiment of the vehicle window glass 100 of the present disclosure includes a glass plate 111 having a first main surface 111A and a second main surface 111B, a glass plate 112 having a third main surface 112A and a fourth main surface 112B, and an interlayer 113 provided between the second main surface 111B and the third main surface 112A, and is provided in an opening 11 of the vehicle body 10, and includes a solar cell 120 provided between the second main surface 111B and the third main surface 112A, and an FPC 130 having a first end located between the second main surface 111B and the third main surface 112A, and a second end located outside the glass plate 111 and the glass plate 112, and on the second end side a plurality of bypass diodes 135 can be mounted, and the FPC 130 has a terminal 132A1 connected to the solar cell 120 on the first end side, and The wiring 132A has a terminal 132A2 at the second end that is connected to the vehicle body wire harness 20 and a terminal 132A3 at the second end that can be connected to one of the multiple bypass diodes 135; the wiring 132B has a terminal 132B1 at the first end that is connected to the solar cell 120, a terminal 132B2 at the second end that is connected to the vehicle body second wire harness and a terminal 132B3 at the second end that can be connected to another of the multiple bypass diodes 135; and the wiring 132C is located between the wiring 132A and the wiring 132B and has a terminal 132C1 at the first end that is connected to the solar cell 120 and a terminal 132C2 that can be connected to two adjacent bypass diodes 135. With this configuration, the FPC 130, with terminals 132A1, 132B1, and 132C1 connected to the solar cell 120, and the solar cell 120 are sandwiched together with the interlayer 113 between the first glass plate 111 and the second glass plate 112, and heat-pressed bonding is performed. After heat-pressing bonding, multiple bypass diodes 135 can be connected to terminal 132A3, the two terminals 132C2, and terminal 132B3 of the FPC 130. As a result, the bypass diodes 135 are not affected by the heat during the heat-pressing process.
[0109] Therefore, it is possible to provide electrically reliable vehicle window glass 100.
[0110] Furthermore, the FPC 130 has a substrate 131 and a coverlay 133 that enclose the wiring 132A, wiring 132B, and wiring 132C, and terminals 132A1, 132A2, and 132A3 are portions of wiring 132A exposed by openings provided in the substrate 131 and coverlay 133, terminals 132B1, 132B2, and 132B3 are portions of wiring 132B exposed by openings provided in the substrate 131 and coverlay 133, and terminal 132C2 may be a portion of wiring 132C exposed by openings provided in the substrate 131 and coverlay 133. By exposing multiple portions of the wiring 132A, 132B, and 132C through multiple openings provided in the coverlay 133, these can be used as terminals 132A1, 132A2, 132A3, 132B1, 132B2, 132B3, and 132C2, thus providing a vehicle window glass 100 with a simple configuration and high electrical reliability.
[0111] Furthermore, terminal 132C2 may have a first connection terminal (terminal 132C2 on the +X direction side) connected to one of two adjacent bypass diodes 135, and a second connection terminal (terminal 132C2 on the -X axis direction side) connected to the other of two adjacent bypass diodes 135. A vehicle window glass 100 with electrical reliability can be provided with a simple configuration.
[0112] Furthermore, the FPC 130 may further include a plurality of bypass diodes 135 mounted on the second end side. The bypass diodes 135 can be connected after the heating and crimping process is completed, providing an electrically reliable vehicle window glass 100.
[0113] Furthermore, if the number of bypass diodes 135 is N (where N is an integer of 2 or more), the number of wires 132C located between wires 132A and 132B may be N-1. By providing a number of wires 132C corresponding to the number of bypass diodes 135, a vehicle window glass 100 with electrical reliability can be provided with a simple configuration.
[0114] Furthermore, N may be 2 or 3. By including a suitable number of bypass diodes 135, a vehicle window glass 100 with electrical reliability can be provided with a simple configuration.
[0115] Furthermore, the multiple bypass diodes 135 may have a rectification direction between terminals 132A3, 132C2, and 132B3, either from terminal 132A3 to terminal 132B3 or from terminal 132B3 to terminal 132A3. This allows for efficient connection of the wire harness 20 and improves electrical reliability.
[0116] Furthermore, the thin electrical component is a solar cell 120, and if the number of bypass diodes 135 is N (where N is an integer of 2 or more), the solar cell 120 may have N clusters 120A. Including the same number of bypass diodes 135 as clusters 120A, a vehicle window glass 100 with high electrical reliability can be provided.
[0117] Alternatively, one FPC 130 may be provided for each solar cell 120. By connecting one FPC 130 to each solar cell 120, power can be efficiently extracted with a simple configuration.
[0118] Furthermore, the solar cells 120 and FPCs 130 may be included in multiple units. If there are multiple solar cells 120, power can be efficiently extracted with a simple configuration by connecting one FPC 130 to each solar cell 120.
[0119] Furthermore, the substrate 131 and coverlay 133 may be polyimide layers. This allows for reliable insulation of the wirings 132A, 132B, and 132C while also providing flexibility.
[0120] Furthermore, the substrate 131 and coverlay 133 may be polyimide layers. This makes it very easy to route the FPC 130 from the +Y direction end of the solar cell 120, which is provided between the first glass plate 111 and the second glass plate 112, along the second side surface 112C and the fourth main surface 112B, and connect it to the connector 21 of the wire harness 20, thereby improving electrical reliability.
[0121] Furthermore, the rated current value of the FPC 130 may be 5A or more. When the thin electrical component is a solar cell 120 or the like, sufficient capacity can be secured for rectification, and a vehicle window glass 100 with high electrical reliability can be provided.
[0122] Furthermore, the substrate 131 and coverlay 133 of the FPC 130 may also include a heat dissipation filler. By improving the heat dissipation efficiency of the FPC 130, the bypass diode 135 becomes less susceptible to heat, and a vehicle window glass 100 with high electrical reliability can be provided.
[0123] The present disclosure is a method for manufacturing a vehicle window glass, comprising a glass plate 111 having a first main surface 111A and a second main surface 111B, a glass plate 112 having a third main surface 112A and a fourth main surface 112B, and an interlayer 113 provided between the second main surface 111B and the third main surface 112A, and a laminated glass 110 provided in an opening 11 of a vehicle body 10, and a solar cell 120 provided between the second main surface 111B and the third main surface 112A, and the second main surface 111B and the third main surface 112A The FPC 130 includes a first end located between the glass plates 111 and 112, and a second end located outside the glass plates 111 and 112, and on the second end side a plurality of bypass diodes 135 can be mounted, and the FPC 130 includes wiring 132A having a terminal 132A1 connected to the solar cell 120 on the first end side, a terminal 132A2 connected to the vehicle body wire harness 20 on the second end side, and a terminal 132A3 on the second end side to which one of the plurality of bypass diodes 135 can be connected; wiring 132B having a terminal 132B1 connected to the solar cell 120 on the first end side, a terminal 132B2 connected to the vehicle body second wire harness on the second end side, and a terminal 132B3 on the second end side to which another of the plurality of bypass diodes 135 can be connected; and a terminal 132C2 located between wiring 132A and wiring 132B that can be connected to two adjacent bypass diodes 135 among the plurality of bypass diodes 135. A method for manufacturing a vehicle window glass having wiring 132C, wherein an FPC 130 having terminals 132A1, terminal 132B1, and terminal 132C1 connected to a solar cell 120 and the solar cell 120 are sandwiched together with an interlayer 113 between a glass plate 111 and a glass plate 112, and heat-pressed, and after heat-pressed, terminals 132A3, terminal 132B3, and terminal 132C2 of the FPC 130 are connected to a plurality of bypass diodes 135.Therefore, the bypass diode 135 is not affected by the heat during the heat bonding process.
[0124] Therefore, it is possible to provide a method for manufacturing electrically reliable vehicle window glass.
[0125] While exemplary vehicle window glass of this disclosure has been described above, this disclosure is not limited to the specifically disclosed embodiments, and various modifications and changes are possible without departing from the scope of the claims.
[0126] Regarding the above embodiments, the following additional information is disclosed. (Addendum 1) A laminated glass provided in an opening of a vehicle body, comprising a first glass plate having a first main surface and a second main surface, a second glass plate having a third main surface and a fourth main surface, and an interlayer provided between the second main surface and the third main surface, a thin electrical component provided between the second main surface and the third main surface, and a flexible substrate having a first end located between the second main surface and the third main surface, and a second end located outside the first glass plate and the second glass plate, wherein a plurality of bypass diodes can be mounted on the second end side, the flexible substrate comprising a first wiring having a first terminal connected to the thin electrical component on the first end side, a second terminal connected to the first wire harness on the vehicle body side on the second end side, and a third terminal on the second end side to which one of the plurality of bypass diodes can be connected, A vehicle window glass having a second wiring harness having a fourth terminal connected to the thin electrical component at the first end, a fifth terminal connected to the second wire harness on the vehicle body side at the second end, and a sixth terminal on the second end to which one of the plurality of bypass diodes can be connected; and a third wiring harness located between the first and second wiring harnesses, having a seventh terminal connected to the thin electrical component at the first end, and an eighth terminal to which two adjacent bypass diodes can be connected. (Note 2) The vehicle window glass as described in Note 1, wherein the flexible substrate has an insulating layer that seals the first wiring, the second wiring, and the third wiring, the first terminal, the second terminal, and the third terminal are portions of the first wiring exposed by openings provided in the insulating layer, the fourth terminal, the fifth terminal, and the sixth terminal are portions of the second wiring exposed by openings provided in the insulating layer, and the eighth terminal is a portion of the third wiring exposed by an opening provided in the insulating layer.(Note 3) The vehicle window glass according to Note 1 or 2, wherein the eighth terminal has a first connection terminal connected to one of the two adjacent bypass diodes and a second connection terminal connected to the other of the two adjacent bypass diodes. (Note 4) The vehicle window glass according to any one of Notes 1 to 3, further comprising the plurality of bypass diodes mounted on the second end side of the flexible substrate. (Note 5) The vehicle window glass according to any one of Notes 1 to 4, wherein if the number of the plurality of bypass diodes is N (where N is an integer of 2 or more), the number of the third wirings located between the first wiring and the second wiring is N-1. (Note 6) The vehicle window glass according to Note 5, wherein N is 2 or 3. (Note 7) The vehicle window glass according to any one of Notes 1 to 6, wherein the plurality of bypass diodes have a rectification direction between the third terminal, the eighth terminal, and the sixth terminal, in the direction from the third terminal to the sixth terminal, or in the direction from the sixth terminal to the third terminal. (Note 8) The vehicle window glass according to any one of Notes 1 to 7, wherein the thin electrical component is a solar cell, and when the number of the plurality of bypass diodes is N (N is an integer of 2 or more), the solar cell has N clusters. (Note 9) The vehicle window glass according to Note 8, wherein one flexible substrate is provided for one solar cell. (Note 10) The vehicle window glass according to Note 9, which includes a plurality of solar cells and flexible substrates. (Note 11) The vehicle window glass according to Note 2, wherein the insulating layer is a polyimide layer. (Note 12) The vehicle window glass according to any one of Notes 1 to 11, wherein the rated current value of the flexible substrate is 5A or more. (Note 13) The insulating layer of the flexible substrate is a vehicle window glass as described in Note 2, which includes a heat dissipation filler.(Note 14) Laminated glass provided in an opening in a vehicle body, comprising a first glass plate having a first main surface and a second main surface, a second glass plate having a third main surface and a fourth main surface, and an interlayer provided between the second main surface and the third main surface, a thin electrical component provided between the second main surface and the third main surface, and a flexible substrate having a first end located between the second main surface and the third main surface, and a second end located outside the first glass plate and the second glass plate, wherein a plurality of bypass diodes can be mounted on the second end side, the flexible substrate having a first wiring having a first terminal connected to the thin electrical component on the first end side, a second terminal connected to the first wire harness on the vehicle body side on the second end side, and a third terminal on the second end side to which one of the plurality of bypass diodes can be connected, A method for manufacturing a vehicle window glass, comprising: a second wiring having a fourth terminal connected to the thin electrical component at the first end, a fifth terminal connected to the second wire harness on the vehicle body side at the second end, and a sixth terminal on the second end to which one of the plurality of bypass diodes can be connected; and a third wiring having a seventh terminal located between the first and second wirings and connected to the thin electrical component at the first end, and an eighth terminal that can be connected to two adjacent bypass diodes among the plurality of bypass diodes, wherein the flexible substrate, to which the first and fourth terminals are connected to the thin electrical component, and the thin electrical component together with the interlayer film are sandwiched between the first glass plate and the second glass plate, and heat-pressed, and after the heat-pressed, the third terminal, the sixth terminal, and the eighth terminal of the flexible substrate are connected to the plurality of bypass diodes.
[0127] This application claims priority based on Japanese Patent Application No. 2025-015847, filed on 3 February 2025, and incorporates all of its disclosures herein.
[0128] 10 Vehicle body 11 Opening 12 Flange 20 Wire harness 21 Connector 30 Urethane sealant (an example of adhesive) 100 Vehicle window glass 110 Laminated glass 111 First glass plate 111A First main surface 111B Second main surface 111C First side surface 112 Second glass plate 112A Third main surface 112B Fourth main surface 112C Second side surface 113 Interlayer 113A First interlayer 113B Second interlayer 113C Third interlayer 114 Shielding layer 120 Solar cell (an example of a thin electrical component) 120A Cluster 130 FPC (an example of a flexible printed circuit board) 131 Substrate 132A Wiring (an example of first wiring) 132A1 Terminal (an example of first terminal) 132A2 Terminal (an example of second terminal) 132A3 Terminal (Example of the 3rd terminal) 132B Wiring (Example of the 2nd wiring) 132B1 Terminal (Example of the 4th terminal) 132B2 Terminal (Example of the 5th terminal) 132B3 Terminal (Example of the 6th terminal) 132C Wiring (Example of the 3rd wiring) 132C1 Terminal (Example of the 7th terminal) 132C2 Terminal (Example of the 8th terminal) 133 Coverlay 133A1, 133A2, 133B1, 133B2, 133C1 Opening 135 Bypass diode
Claims
1. Laminated glass provided in an opening in a vehicle body, comprising: a first glass plate having a first main surface and a second main surface; a second glass plate having a third main surface and a fourth main surface; and an interlayer provided between the second main surface and the third main surface; a thin electrical component provided between the second main surface and the third main surface; and a flexible substrate having a first end located between the second main surface and the third main surface, and a second end located outside the first and second glass plates, on which a plurality of bypass diodes can be mounted on the second end side, wherein the flexible substrate has a first wiring having a first terminal connected to the thin electrical component at the first end side, a second terminal connected to a first wire harness on the vehicle body side at the second end side, and a third terminal on the second end side to which one of the plurality of bypass diodes can be connected, A vehicle window glass having a second wiring harness having a fourth terminal connected to the thin electrical component at the first end, a fifth terminal connected to the second wire harness on the vehicle body side at the second end, and a sixth terminal on the second end to which one of the plurality of bypass diodes can be connected; and a third wiring harness located between the first and second wiring harnesses, having a seventh terminal connected to the thin electrical component at the first end, and an eighth terminal to which two adjacent bypass diodes can be connected.
2. The vehicle window glass according to claim 1, wherein the flexible substrate has an insulating layer that seals the first wiring, the second wiring, and the third wiring, the first terminal, the second terminal, and the third terminal are portions of the first wiring exposed by openings provided in the insulating layer, the fourth terminal, the fifth terminal, and the sixth terminal are portions of the second wiring exposed by openings provided in the insulating layer, and the eighth terminal is a portion of the third wiring exposed by openings provided in the insulating layer.
3. The vehicle window glass according to claim 1, wherein the eighth terminal has a first connection terminal connected to one of the two adjacent bypass diodes, and a second connection terminal connected to the other of the two adjacent bypass diodes.
4. The vehicle window glass according to claim 1, further comprising the plurality of bypass diodes mounted on the second end side of the flexible substrate.
5. The vehicle window glass according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein if the number of the plurality of bypass diodes is N (where N is an integer of 2 or more), the number of third wirings located between the first wiring and the second wiring is N-1.
6. The vehicle window glass according to claim 5, wherein N is 2 or 3.
7. The vehicle window glass according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of bypass diodes have a rectification direction between the third terminal, the eighth terminal, and the sixth terminal, either from the third terminal to the sixth terminal or from the sixth terminal to the third terminal.
8. The vehicle window glass according to claim 1, wherein the thin electrical component is a solar cell, and the number of the plurality of bypass diodes is N (where N is an integer of 2 or more), and the solar cell has N clusters.
9. The vehicle window glass according to claim 8, wherein one flexible substrate is provided for one of the solar cells.
10. The vehicle window glass according to claim 9, comprising a plurality of the solar cells and the flexible substrates.
11. The vehicle window glass according to claim 2, wherein the insulating layer is a polyimide layer.
12. The vehicle window glass according to claim 1, wherein the rated current value of the flexible substrate is 5A or more.
13. The vehicle window glass according to claim 2, wherein the insulating layer of the flexible substrate includes a heat dissipation filler.
14. Laminated glass provided in an opening in a vehicle body, comprising a first glass plate having a first main surface and a second main surface, a second glass plate having a third main surface and a fourth main surface, and an interlayer provided between the second main surface and the third main surface; a thin electrical component provided between the second main surface and the third main surface; and a flexible substrate having a first end located between the second main surface and the third main surface, and a second end located outside the first and second glass plates, on which a plurality of bypass diodes can be mounted on the second end side, wherein the flexible substrate has a first wiring having a first terminal connected to the thin electrical component at the first end side, a second terminal connected to a first wire harness on the vehicle body side at the second end side, and a third terminal on the second end side to which one of the plurality of bypass diodes can be connected, A method for manufacturing a vehicle window glass, comprising: a second wiring having a fourth terminal connected to the thin electrical component at the first end, a fifth terminal connected to the second wire harness on the vehicle body side at the second end, and a sixth terminal on the second end to which one of the plurality of bypass diodes can be connected; and a third wiring having a seventh terminal located between the first and second wirings and connected to the thin electrical component at the first end, and an eighth terminal that can be connected to two adjacent bypass diodes among the plurality of bypass diodes, wherein the flexible substrate, to which the first terminal, the fourth terminal, and the seventh terminal are connected to the thin electrical component, and the thin electrical component together with the interlayer film are sandwiched between the first glass plate and the second glass plate, and heat-pressed; and after the heat-pressed, the third terminal, the sixth terminal, and the eighth terminal of the flexible substrate are connected to the plurality of bypass diodes.