Composite Pane With Integrated Sun Shade And Control Panel

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for producing composite panes with integrated sun visors and electrical functional elements face challenges in achieving high optical quality and complex functionality while maintaining cost-effectiveness and simplicity in industrial production.

Innovation Solution

A method involving the use of a thermoplastic intermediate layer with integrated multi-touch control panels and electrical functional elements, where the layers are laminated together using heat, pressure, and/or vacuum to form a composite pane with improved optical quality and enhanced control capabilities.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If multiple electrical functional elements and control panels are integrated into the laminated glass unit, then functionality and control capabilities are enhanced, but device complexity and manufacturing difficulty increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefunctional elements integrationVSAvoidcontrol complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple electrical functional elements (sun visor, LED, OLED, display) and their control panels into a single laminated glass unit. The control panels are integrated directly into the lamination structure, merging control functionality with the glass assembly itself rather than having separate control units. This reduces overall system complexity while maintaining versatile functionality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The laminated glass unit serves multiple functions simultaneously: it acts as a structural glass component, an integrated sun visor, a light source (LED/OLED), a display medium, and a control interface. The single glass unit replaces what would traditionally require multiple separate components, achieving multi-functionality within a unified structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Volume of moving object

If multiple functional elements are integrated into the same laminated glass unit, then space requirements are reduced, but manufacturing precision and optical quality become more difficult to maintain

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvespace requirementsVSAvoidoptical quality
Core Design Contradiction:
Volume of moving objectVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the laminated glass unit into distinct functional zones or layers, with each electrical element and control panel positioned in specific regions. This segmentation allows each component to be manufactured and positioned with appropriate precision requirements, while the overall integration achieves space efficiency. The lamination process itself creates natural segmentation between different functional layers.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Ease of operation

If complex control functions are integrated into the glass unit, then ease of operation is improved, but ease of manufacture and production cost-effectiveness deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontrol accessibilityVSAvoidproduction simplicity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The control panels and electrical elements are pre-positioned and pre-assembled within the lamination structure during the manufacturing process. This preliminary action allows complex control functions to be integrated in a systematic manner during production, rather than requiring complex assembly operations later. The lamination process itself performs the integration action in a single manufacturing step.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The method enables the production of composite panes with integrated sun visors and multiple electrical functional elements that offer improved optical quality, complex control options, and cost-effective industrial scalability, meeting stringent vehicle windshield requirements.

Implementation Method 1

joining such a sequence of layers to form a composite pane by applying heat, pressure and/or vacuum

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHeat: Heating

Implementation Method 2

joining such a sequence of layers to form a composite pane by applying heat, pressure and/or vacuum

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPressure: Pressure Increase

Implementation Method 3

a first electrical functional element, in particular a transmission switching element

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectro-optical switching: Electro-Optic Effects

Data Source

PatentEP4021722B1Composite pane with integrated sun shade and production method thereof
Publication Date: 2023.09.20 SAINT GOBAIN VITRAGE SA
  • EP4021722B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4021722B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4021722B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to an improved method for producing a composite pane (100), in particular a windshield, sunroof, or window pane for a vehicle, comprising an integrated electrically controllable sunscreen. The method has the following steps: - providing an inner pane (1) with at least one defined operating region (8, 9) for at least one switch element (10) for controlling at least one electrically controllable functional element, - applying a thermoplastic film (13) with a transparent multitouch operating panel (10) applied thereon as a switch element on the at least one operating region (8, 9) of the inner pane (1), - applying a first thermoplastic layer (14), said layer having a recess for receiving the multitouch operating panel (10) and the thermoplastic film (13), - applying a second thermoplastic layer (15) which contains a transmission switch element as a first electric functional element (6) and at least one second electric functional element at least in a sub-section (4) and which surrounds said elements in the form of a frame, - applying a third thermoplastic layer (16), - applying an outer pane (2), and - connecting the layer sequence formed in this manner in order to produce a composite pane (100) under the effect of heat, pressure, and/or vacuum. The invention also relates to a composite pane (100) produced according to said method and to the use thereof.