FR2989319A1 - Glazing i.e. laminated glazing, for windscreen of vehicle, has electricity supply source connected to obscuration unit, where source is wave receiving device to generate electric current from received waves - Google Patents

Abstract

The glazing (17) has an obscuration unit (11) set on a portion of its surface and being obscured under the action of electric current. An electricity supply source formed of a photovoltaic cell and a receiving coil (19) of power supply equipment is connected to the obscuration unit, where the source is a wave receiving device to generate electric current from the received waves. The source is electrically isolated from an environment outer side the glazing. Glass sheets (3, 5) are separated by a lamination interlayer (7). The obscuration unit and the source are inserted between the sheets.

Description

The invention relates to a glazing unit having obscuration means on at least a portion of its area. The invention more particularly relates to a glazing, in particular a car glazing, having darkening means able to darken under the effect of a power-on. The invention also relates to the manufacturing processes of such glazings, as well as vehicles with such glazings.

It is known to place on windows of vehicles, for example motor vehicles sun shading devices. Pavilion windows (commonly known as cielos) or panoramic glazed roofs generally have concealment velums to protect the occupants of the vehicle from too much sunlight. Similarly, motor vehicles are provided at the windshield sunshades formed by inner lining elements that pivot or translate. If visibility is obstructed by the sun, the occupant manually deploys the sun visor. Sun visors can also be placed on the side windows, especially to protect children. These various elements (i.e. obscuration of a panoramic roof, sun visor associated with the windshield, etc.) are added elements that have a manufacturing cost and editing. They require a fixing interface, have a certain weight and reduce the volume of habitability of the vehicle. The manual action of the occupant is usually necessary to move them. It is known from FR2690113, an automatic sun visor controlled by electric motors controlled by photovoltaic cells. The sun visor is a screen that lowers itself according to the information provided by a cell sensitive to solar rays, and rises when there is no more sun. This solution avoids manual actuation of the sun visor by the occupant. However, it remains necessary to mount the sunshades and their actuating mechanism in addition to the glazing with which they are associated.

It is known from US2007278815 a glazing having photochromic properties. A photochromic film is disposed between the substrate and the coating so that the film darkens when the entire glass is exposed to ultraviolet light. Note that it is then not possible for the occupant of the vehicle to choose whether or not to hide the sun since this occultation is automatic. FR2864473 discloses an anti-glare system comprising a windshield having obscuration means. These means can be controlled and extend over an area of the windshield in one piece located on the side of the driving position. The degree of obscuration is adjustable according to a signal from an internal brightness sensor. WO9962732 discloses an anti-glare device for a vehicle provided with a darkening film. It includes a control unit connected to sensors that detect a dazzling object and a camera that detects the position of the eyes of the occupant of the vehicle. One of the problems encountered by such devices is that the control of the obscuring film and / or its power supply by a bundle of electrical cables are generally arranged at the edge of the glazing and for example at its edge. Such devices then require the skilled person to manage an electrical connection in a wet area. The invention proposes a solution to at least one of the disadvantages presented by the prior art. In particular, the invention proposes a solution for supplying electricity to a glazing unit provided with obscuration means which does not involve managing electrical connections in a humid zone. For this purpose, the subject of the invention is a glazing unit comprising, on at least a portion of its area, obscuration means able to darken under the action of an electric current, and further comprising at least one source power supply connected to said remarkable darkening means in that at least one power supply source is a wave receiving device adapted to generate an electric current from the received waves.

According to particular embodiments, the assembly may comprise one or more of the following characteristics in isolation or in any technically possible combination: the glazing is electrically insulated. at least one power source is electrically isolated from the outside environment of the glazing. Preferably, all the sources of electricity supply are electrically insulated from the outside environment of the glazing. Preferably, the obscuration means are also electrically isolated from the outside environment of the glazing. the glazing is laminated and comprises at least two glass sheets separated by at least one lamination interlayer, and the obscuration means and at least one power supply source are inserted between two glass sheets of the laminated glazing unit. at least one power source is a photovoltaic cell capable of receiving a light wave and generating an electric current. at least one power supply source is a receiver coil of a power supply equipment operating by mutual induction, said receiver coil being adapted to receive a magnetic wave and to generate an electric current. the glazing further comprises a power supply equipment operating by mutual induction with an electrically energized transmitter coil and capable of generating magnetic waves under the effect of an electric current, and means for controlling the supply of electricity to said transmitter coil, preferably the means comprise: at least one manual control in the form of a switch or a dimmer; and / or - at least one wired or wireless electronic control and / or connection means to a multiplexed network; and / or - tactile control means arranged on the glazing. the glazing further comprises at least one brightness sensor determining the brightness level on one side of the glazing and means for controlling the supply of electricity to the transmitter coil according to the result. When the glazing is embarked on a vehicle, the brightness sensor preferably determines the level of brightness on the face of the glazing disposed outside the vehicle. the obscuration means are configured to have several degrees of obscuration in proportion to their power supply. the obscuration means comprise at least two films and / or screens obscuring, preferably the at least two films and / or screens: - form bands arranged consecutively one after the other according to the width and / or the length of the glazing; and / or - are connected to separate power sources; and / or - have individual activation means in order to be able to be activated by an electric current independently of one another.

The invention also relates to a remarkable vehicle in that it has a glazing as defined above. As will be understood from reading the definition that has just been given, the invention consists in a first aspect to supply the obscuration means of a glazing unit by means of a device able to receive waves light (in the visible or ultraviolet range) or magnetic fields and to generate an electric current from the received waves. No longer having to supply electricity to the obscuration means via a bundle of electrical wires, the person skilled in the art no longer has to manage an electrical connection in a humid zone.

The invention is remarkable in that the glazing is supplied with electricity while being electrically isolated from its external environment. The obscuration means are transparent when they are not supplied with electricity and darken when they are supplied with electricity.

The invention will be clearly understood and other aspects and advantages will become clear from reading the following description given with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: FIG. 1 is a sectional view of a first exemplary embodiment of FIG. the invention; Figure 2 is a similar view of a second embodiment of the invention; Figure 3 is a view of a windshield formed of a glazing according to the invention. In the different figures, the same references designate identical or similar elements.

Reference will firstly be made to FIG. 1 showing a first embodiment of the invention. The glazing (1) is a laminated glazing conventionally used for the manufacture of a windshield. The glazing unit (1) is composed of at least two superimposed sheets of glass (3, 5) between which is placed at least one lamination interlayer (7) of plastic material. The interlayer (7) for lamination is for example a sheet of polymeric material comprising polyvinyl butyral (PVB) or an ethylene / vinyl acetate copolymer (EVA). The sheets (3, 5) made of glass are sheets of mineral glass and / or organic glass. The organic glass may be composed of polycarbonate, polymethylmethacrylate, polyamide, or any other material known to those skilled in the art for such an application. The different glass sheets (3, 5) used may have identical or different compositions. For example, one of the sheets may consist of one mineral glass and the other of an organic glass. A black silkscreen (9) is optionally affixed to its periphery delimiting a clear glass.

Obscuring means (11) are arranged in the rolling of the glazing (1) locally in place of the interlayer (7) lamination. Alternatively, the obscuration means (11) can be arranged on the glazing or in the lamination between a sheet (3, 5) of glass and the interlayer (7) lamination.

The obscuration means (11) comprise at least one obscuring film or screen, and are known to those skilled in the art. For example, the obscuring film may be a liquid crystal film or any other film having the ability to darken under the effect of an electric current. An obscuring screen that can be used in the context of the invention is for example an electrochromic screen. The film (11) or the obscuring screen therefore has the ability to darken or lighten according to the power supply at its terminals. It is advantageously transparent when it is not supplied with electricity and darkens when it is supplied with electricity.

Preferably, the obscuration means (11) can be darkened in different degrees up to the opacity in proportion to the intensity of the electric current distributed at their terminals. The darkening means (11) are connected by an electrical connection (13) to at least one power source (15) also disposed in the rolling of the glazing (1) locally in place of the laminating intermediate . Note that the source (15) of power supply is disposed at the same level as the means (11) obscuration in the lamination of the glazing. Thus, the power supply source can alternatively be disposed on the glazing or in the lamination between a glass or plastic sheet and the laminating interlayer. The invention is remarkable in that the source (15) ) power supply and the obscuration means (11) are electrically isolated from the outside environment of the glazing. In order to supply electricity to the obscuration means (11), the source (15) is then a wave receiving device capable of generating an electric current from the received waves. According to the first embodiment of the invention illustrated in Figure 1, the power source (15) in electricity is a photovoltaic cell. Photovoltaic cells are electronic components that, when exposed to light (i.e., light waves), produce electricity. The cell (15) is connected to the obscuration means (11) by an electrical connection (13). The invention is remarkable in that the glazing (1) itself produces the electricity necessary for the activation of the obscuration means (11). This electricity is generated automatically when the photovoltaic cell (15) detects light from outside the vehicle. Optionally, when it is requested to be able to control the activation or the intensity of activation of the obscuration means (11), the person skilled in the art may consider adding to the glazing unit (1) a concealment device of the one or more photovoltaic cells (15) that can be controlled manually or electronically. With a proportional relationship, under the electrical effect, the obscuration means (11) become darkened, and the occupant is not obstructed by the external light. When the brightness decreases, the electric current from the photovoltaic cell (15) decreases and the obscuration means (11) become lighter. The occupant again takes full advantage of the clear glass.

FIG. 2 shows a second embodiment of the invention in which the electricity necessary for the activation of the obscuration means (11) comes preferentially from an external power supply. The invention is then remarkable in that the power source is a receiver coil (19) of a power supply equipment operating by mutual induction. The waves received and making it possible to generate electricity are magnetic waves. The darkening means (11) are electrically connected to the receiver coil (19) which is also disposed in the rolling of the glazing (17) locally in place of the laminating intermediate. As in the previous example, the power source (19) electricity is disposed at the same level as the obscuration means (11) in the lamination of the glazing. The receiving coil (19) may for example be in the form of a metal wire integrated in the interlayer (7) laminating and folded, for example zig-zag, to have an induction function. It may also be in the form of a conductive screen printing deposited on the inner face (in contact with the laminating interlayer) of one (5) of the two sheets of glass. The power supply equipment further comprises a transmitter coil (21) which is aligned with the receiver coil (19), one above the other, and separated by at least one sheet (5) of glass. The transmitter (21) and receiver (19) coils are electrically isolated from one another, but magnetically coupled. The transmitting coil (21) is connected to an electric battery or other source of electric power. When it is traversed by an electric current that will generate a magnetic field, it is picked up by the receiver coil (19) which will convert it into electricity. The induced electric current generated in the receiver coil (19) is used to supply power to the darkening means (11). The transmission of energy is by induction. It should be noted that this embodiment does not imply for the person skilled in the art having to manage an electrical connection in a wet zone, since the transmitting coil is placed against the internal face of the glazing, ie in a dry zone. Advantageously, the glazing (17) further comprises a brightness sensor (23) or a camera making it possible to determine the level of luminosity on one of the faces of the glazing (17) and means for controlling the degree of obscuration of the means of illumination. darkening (11) depending on the result. For example, the variation of the degree of obscuration is done by varying the power supply of the transmitting coil (21). It is thus possible to automatically control or in response to a pre-setting obscuration adapted to the ambient light conditions and / or the sensitivity of the user. Preferably, the brightness sensor (23) is disposed on the face of the glazing (17) not subjected to the weather, and captures the brightness on the other side, through the glazing (17). When the sensor (23) is disposed at the contour screen (9) it has a passage zone (25) for the light.

In a windshield application, the power supply equipment is advantageously arranged at the level of the foot (27) of the rear-view mirror. The transmitting coil (21) is connected by an electrical connection (29) to an electric generator, for example the electric battery of the vehicle. It is clear that in such a case the electrical connection of the whole is in dry zone.

Alternatively (not shown), the skilled person may have a photovoltaic cell instead of the brightness sensor. Said photovoltaic cell then supplies the transmission coil with electricity. As in the previous embodiment, the glazing can itself produce the electricity necessary for the activation of its obscuration means. It is also possible to control the activation of the obscuration means (11) by power supply control means of the transmitting coil (21). The user can thus choose whether or not to activate the darkening means (11) and, if necessary, a selected degree of obscuration. The control means comprise for example a manual control (31) in the form of a switch or a dimmer disposed on the glazing unit at the power supply equipment. The control means may also include an electronic control with or without a wire that can be activated remotely. For this purpose, the power supply equipment advantageously has a connection (33) to the multiplexed network of the vehicle, so that it can be controlled by the on-board computer of said vehicle. According to a variant of the invention, the control means may comprise touch control means arranged on the surface of the glazing. Optionally, the control means may also include means for receiving and processing information given by an autonomous network, such as, for example, information relating to the position of the sun via the GPS coordinates, etc. For this purpose the control means advantageously comprise a computer (35) or a relay for modulating the power supply of the transmitter coil (21) according to the information received via the vehicle network or any other network. It is also conceivable in the context of the invention, and as illustrated in FIG. 3, that the obscuration means (11) of the glazing (17) comprise at least two, and preferably a plurality, of films and / or of screens (11). The films and / or screens (11) form different distinct darkening areas. It is possible that they are in the form of strips (11) arranged consecutively one after the other according to the width and / or the length of the glazing. Advantageously, they are connected to separate power sources and / or can be activated (i.e. obscured) independently of one another.

In our example, the glazing (17) has on a portion of its area three obscuring films (11) forming strips arranged consecutively one after the other along the length of the glazing. The three films (11) are connected to three different receiver coils (19). It is then possible to obtain a gradient effect by varying the degree of obscuration of the various films (11). It is also possible to change the extent of the darkened surface by selectively activating some films (11) and not the others. For example, a touch control device (37) allows the user to activate his sun visor manually by sliding his finger therein until he obtains the desired dimming surface. It is also possible, for example in the case of an application of the invention to a panoramic roof vehicle, the area of the glazing is fully covered with obscuration means. Preferably the glazing area is completely covered by a plurality of obscuring films forming strips arranged consecutively one after the other, for example according to the length of the glazing. It is also possible that the control of a darkening of the entire glazing is accompanied by an animation according to which the films darken successively one after the other in the manner of a velum that is pulled. It is also possible that a single film covers the entire glazing and that it also has on its surface tactile means for varying the degree of obscuration. Whatever the embodiment considered, it will be noted that one of the advantages of the invention is that, when the glazing is intended to have at least one of its faces exposed to the elements, its power supply means and the Control means obscuration means always remain in dry zone. The invention is remarkable in that by electrically isolating the power supply source of the film and / or screen obscuring the external environment of the glazing, it avoids having to manage an electrical connection in a wet area. The invention applies to all types of laminated glazing such as windshield windows, rear windows, side windows and / or glazing panoramic roofs of vehicles such as motor vehicles.

When the glazing is a vehicle windshield, the skilled person will benefit from placing the power source at the level of the contour screen printing or at the level of the foot of the rear-view mirror. In general, in the application of the invention to vehicles, the activation means of the film or films and / or obscuring screens are arranged directly on the glazing and / or accessible by a control located on the dashboard. .

The invention can also be applied to the glass of buildings, when they are composed of laminated glasses. It is also conceivable to apply the invention to glazings composed of a monofilament glass. The obscuring film (s) and / or shield (s) and their source (s) of electricity supply are then placed on the surface of the glass and electrically isolated from the outside of the glazing by the addition of a protective layer, for example a transparent varnish. The important thing will be understood is to preserve the electrical insulation of the source of electricity supply. This one is not connected to any bundle of electric wires for its electricity supply but produces electricity by induction or under the action of light rays (in the spectrum of the visible or the ultraviolet).

Claims (10)

REVENDICATIONS1. Glazing (1, 17) comprising on at least a portion of its area obscuring means (11) able to darken under the action of an electric current, and further comprising at least one source (15, 19 ) power supply connected to said means (11) obscuration characterized in that at least one source (15, 19) of power supply is a wave receiving device capable of generating an electric current from the received waves. 2. Glazing (1, 17) according to claim 1 characterized in that at least one source (15, 19) of power supply is electrically isolated from the outside environment of the glazing (1, 17). 3. Glazing (1, 17) according to claim 1 or 2 characterized in that the glazing (1, 17) is laminated and comprises at least two sheets (3, 5) made of glass separated by at least one interlayer (7). laminating and in that the obscuration means (11) and at least one power source (15, 19) are inserted between two sheets (3, 5) of glass laminated glazing. 4. Glazing (1) according to claim 1 to 3 characterized in that at least one source (15) of power supply is a photovoltaic cell (15) adapted to receive a light wave and to generate an electric current. 5. Glazing (17) according to one of claims 1 to 4 characterized in that at least one source (19) of power supply is a coil (19) receiving a power supply equipment operating by mutual induction said receiver coil (19) being adapted to receive a magnetic wave and to generate an electric current. 6. Glazing (17) according to claim 5 characterized in that it further comprises a power supply equipment operating by mutual induction with a coil (21) emitter electrically powered and capable of generating magnetic waves under the effect of an electric current, and means for controlling the supply of electricity to said transmitting coil (21), preferably said means comprise: at least one manual control (31) in the form of a switch or a dimmer; and / or at least one wired or wireless electronic control and / or connection means (33) to a multiplex network; and / or tactile control means (37) arranged on the glazing (17). 7. Glazing (17) according to claim 6 characterized in that it further comprises at least one sensor (23) brightness determining the brightness level on one side of the glazing (17) and means for controlling the power supply in electricity of the transmitter coil (21) depending on the result. 8. Glazing (1, 17) according to one of claims 1 to 7 characterized in that the means (11) obscuration are configured to have several degrees of obscuration. 9. Glazing (1, 17) according to one of claims 1 to 8 characterized in that the means (11) obscuration comprise at least two films and / or screens obscuring, preferably the at least two films and / or screens: - form strips (11) arranged consecutively one after the other according to the width and / or the length of the glazing; and / or- are connected to separate sources (15, 19) of power supply; and / or - have individual activation means in order to be able to be activated by an electric current independently of one another. 10. Vehicle characterized in that it comprises at least one glazing unit (1, 17) according to one of claims 1 to 9.10.