Windshield Laminated Glass Structure for Bubble-Free Camera Windows

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Solution Overview

Problem

The challenge is to prevent the deterioration of the appearance of laminated glass due to the formation of bubbles caused by thickness differences between the sheet member and the shade region in the interlayer film.

Innovation Solution

The solution involves designing a laminated glass configuration where the sheet member is arranged to minimize thickness differences with the shade region, using equations (2) and (5) to ensure that any gaps formed are hidden by the mask layer, thereby preventing visible bubbles.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a through hole is formed in the shade region and a transparent sheet member is fitted into it, then the camera can capture an image of the outside of the vehicle, but a level difference occurs at the boundary between the sheet member and the shade area causing bubbles to accumulate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveimage capture functionVSAvoidthickness uniformity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by making the sheet member's thickness match the shade region's thickness specifically at the boundary area. This localized thickness matching prevents level differences at the interface while allowing the sheet member to provide its necessary optical functions in the through-hole region.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the thickness parameter of the sheet member to be equal to or greater than the thickness of the shade region. This parameter adjustment eliminates the level difference that causes bubble accumulation, while still maintaining the sheet member's ability to transmit light for image capture.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Manufacturing precision

If the sheet member thickness is made equal to or greater than the shade region thickness, then bubble accumulation is prevented, but the manufacturing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvethickness uniformityVSAvoidmanufacturing process
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by pre-forming the sheet member with a specific thickness (equal to or greater than the shade region) before installation. This advance preparation ensures proper fit and prevents level differences, eliminating the need for complex post-assembly adjustments or specialized manufacturing equipment.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP4119516B1Laminated glass
Publication Date: 2025.04.23 NIPPON SHEET GLASS CO LTD
  • EP4119516B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4119516B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4119516B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The present invention is a windshield on which an information acquisition device that acquires information from outside of a vehicle by emitting and/or receiving light can be arranged, the windshield including: an outer glass plate; an inner glass plate; an interlayer film arranged between the outer glass plate and the inner glass plate; and a mask layer laminated on at least one of a surface on a vehicle interior side of the outer glass plate and a surface on a vehicle exterior side of the inner glass plate, in which the interlayer film includes a colored shade region, a transparent non-shade region, and a transparent sheet member that is fitted into at least one through hole formed over the shade region and the non-shade region.