WO2025131830A1

WO2025131830A1 - A dynamic laminated glazing

Info

Publication number: WO2025131830A1
Application number: PCT/EP2024/085314
Authority: WO
Inventors: Quentin Jensen; Loic TOUS; Stéphane Léonard
Original assignee: AGC Glass Europe SA
Current assignee: AGC Glass Europe SA
Priority date: 2023-12-18
Filing date: 2024-12-09
Publication date: 2025-06-26
Anticipated expiration: 2026-06-18

Abstract

The present invention relates to a laminated glazing (1) comprising at least a first glass sheet (11) having an outer (P1) and an inner (P2) faces, a second glass sheet (12) having an outer (P3) and an inner (P4) faces, and an electrically powered functional film (13) laminated between the inner faces (P2, P3) of the glass sheets (11, 12), said functional film (13) comprising at least one segment (14) that can be controlled independently from the rest of the functional film (13), said segment (14) having a closed loop shape.

Description

A DYNAMIC LAMINATED GLAZING

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001]The present invention relates to a laminated glazing, in particular a laminated glazing intended to be used as a dynamic glazing, more in particular a laminated glazing having a liquid crystal film laminated inside.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002]The invention is primarily intended to be used in production of automotive glazing but not limited to. The present invention relates to any glazing comprising a functional film such as a liquid crystal film. For example, in the architectural field such glazings are dynamic glazings that may be darkened at will, in particular electronically, in order to protect against the heat of the sun and glare. In the construction field, smart windows can be darkened at will when the weather is sunny in order to prevent the passage of light into a room, or lightened when the weather is cloudy in order to once more maximize the passage of light or light from display in case the dynamic glazing comprises an integrated display. In addition, in the architectural field, the glazings are generally flat or have a low curvature.

[0003] In the automotive field, such glazings are for example used as the roofs, windshields, rear windows and side windows including the quarter-lites of vehicles as exterior glazings, or as the interior glazings such as the separation between the driver and the passenger part. In particular, glazed roofs are increasingly being substituted for conventional roofs, which form part of the body of vehicles. As in the architectural field, the choice of these roofs is the result of constructors offering to their customers this option, which makes a vehicle seem to open onto the exterior, like a convertible, without the disadvantages of convertibles, as these roofs maintain the comfort levels of a conventional sedan.

[0004] Moreover, it is more and more requested from designer and car manufacturers to have side or rear windows or glass roof provided with a functional film such as a switchable film to control the light level entering inside the vehicle forthermal comfort and/or for privacy and acoustic comfort. The latter is maintained, indeed even improved, by the presence of the laminated structure. It is known and common to laminate with an interlayer plastic sheet. However, it is difficult to laminate a functional film to be used in interlayer lamination, because of the curved nature of the glazing. Therefore, lamination of such glazing with functional films requires a different method. [0005]Such glazings with functional films are manufactured by different methods than conventional lamination production. More and more vehicles and buildings are now equipped with those type of glazings with functional films. Due to the nature of said functional films, the transparency of the glazing can be changed entirely along the whole area of glazing.

[0006] Functional films comprise a conductive layer on the whole surface over the functional layer such as the liquid crystal layer. Current is applied overthe conductive layer and the liquid crystal layer is excited and therefore, the transparency of the glazing is changed.

[0007] Moreover, automotive designers are looking for alternate ways to operate such glazings. For example, the transparency of the glazing can be changed with a pattern like starting from left to right or else. Such patterned changing of transparency is controlled by providing segments on the functional film. Such segments can be provided by providing a separation line along the conductive layer from edge to edge and then different segments can be controlled by individual connectors coming out from the edges.

[0008] In the prior art, the use of liquid crystal (LC) films in glazings has been envisaged as a way of providing controllable visual isolation. In these applications, the main function is the transformation of an essentially transparent glazing into a glazing that is simply translucent. These applications also disclose how to provide different segments on the surface of the functional film to provide zonal control of the functional film.

[0009]W02022218953 describes a curved laminated glazing with a functional film and optical clear adhesives to fill between the functional film and the glazing. It describes different filling methods like gravity filling, pressure filling and vacuum filling.

[0010]EP369l892 describes a curved laminated glazing with a functional film, the functional film is adhered to the glazing surfaces by the help of a liquid adhesive. Similarly, WO2019198748 describes a glazing with a guest-host liquid crystal functional film and W02020003252 describes a switchable laminated glazing with liquid optical clear adhesives. [0011]lt is known from US11221537 that more than one functional films connected serially to provide different segments on the glazing.

[0012] It is also known from WO2021165093 that conductive layer of the functional film provided with separation lines edge to edge of the functional film to provide different segments for the glazing.

[0013] It is also known from WO2021209474 that isolation lines are used inbetween the different busbars for different segments. [0014] It is also known from CN116338989 that electrical connection to different segments is provided with flexible connections provided on functional film.

[0015] None of the prior art above suggest a solution to a segment provided in the middle of the functional film and how to achieve such zonal control. Apparently, there is a need for a glazing with a segment lying in the middle of functional film which is affecting the transparency of the glazing without changing the transparency of the edges of the functional film.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0016]The goal of the present invention is to provide a laminated glazing with functional film with at least one segment/region that can be controlled independently from the rest of the said functional film to eliminate the aforementioned problems.

[0017]The present invention provides a laminated glazing with a functional film that may be integrated into a bent shape glazing, but not limited to. More specifically, the present invention provides a laminated glazing with a functional film laminated with an optical coupling material but not limited to. The present invention relates also to an automotive laminated glazing comprising a functional film. According to the present invention, the glazing may also have a curvature.

[0018] The present invention concerns a laminated glazing, the glazing comprising at least: a. a first glass sheet having an outer (Pl) and an inner (P2) faces, b. a functional film, c. a second glass sheet having an outer (P3) and an inner (P4) faces,

[0019]ln a preferred embodiment, the functional film is a guest-host liquid crystal film (GHLC) used as a dynamic transparency changing mechanism for the glazing, however any functional film may be implemented with segments of the present invention. The laminated glazing comprises at least two glass sheets, in different embodiments glazing may include three or more glass sheets and more than one functional film.

[0020] More particularly, the present invention concerns a segment/region provided being a closed loop shape lying in the middle of the laminated glazing comprising at least: a. a first glass sheet having an outer (Pl) and an inner (P2) faces, b. at least one functional film with at least one segment which can be controlled independently from the rest of the functional film, c. a second glass sheet having an outer (P3) and an inner (P4) faces, wherein the segment can be controlled independently from the rest of the functional film, i.e., the segment can provide its function such as the dimming effect without the rest of the functional film dimmed or vice versa. The periphery of the segment is a closed loop, i.e., a closed curve, in other words the edges of the segment that form a continuous loop without any breaks or openings.

[0021]According to one embodiment of the present invention, a functional film and particularly a functional film sensitive to pressure, and more particularly a switchable film such as a liquid crystal film may be used in a laminated glazing like a roof for automotive, a side window (lite), a rear fix for the vehicles which are subject to pressure during manufacturing or their use.

[0022] In one aspect of the present invention, the edges of the segment/region lie on the inner part of the functional film. The segment lies in the middle of the functional film having no overlapping with the edges of the functional film, i.e., the segment is isolated from the edges of the functional film. Therefore, when activated, the segment provides its function like the dimming effect, with no connection to the edge of functional film contrary to the conventional segments in functional films.

[0023] In addition to all above, the segment/region of the present invention or the electrical connections to the segment are not distinguishable for the user and do not require a black band to cover electrical connection. Thus, the aesthetics of the glazing is not compromised by the inclusion of the segment of the present invention.

[0024]A potential usage case scenario for the present invention might be like when the glazing is fully dimmed by the user to provide privacy or for any reason, and the user wants to have a look outside environment, the user may activate only the relevant segment on the glazing to check outside where the dimming effect is paused only for the segment area, wherever the segment is located on the surface of the glazing with no disturbance of the dimming effect on the rest of the functional film.

[0025] The foregoing detailed description is given primarily for clearness of understanding and no unnecessary limitations are to be understood therefrom for modifications can be made by those skilled in the art upon reading this disclosure and may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0026]The invention will now be described further, by way of examples, with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein like reference numerals refer to like elements in the various figures. These examples are provided by way of illustration and not of limitation. The drawings are a schematic representation and not true to scale. The drawings do not restrict the invention in any way. More advantages will be explained with examples. A better understanding of the present invention will be added upon reference to the following description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

[0027] Fig.l is a view of a vehicle with glazing. Fig.2 is a schematic view of the laminated glazing with a functional film.

[0028] Fig.3 and Fig. 4 illustrate different operating states of the segment and the functional film as viewed from top of the functional film.

[0029] Fig. 5 and Fig. 6 are a schematic view of the cross-section of the functional film according to different embodiments of the present invention.

[0030]The elements illustrated in the figures are numbered as follows:

I. Laminated glazing

II. First glass sheet

12. Second glass sheet

13. Functional film

131. Functional layer

132. Bottom conductive layer

133. Conductive layer

134. Bottom dielectric layer

135. Dielectric layer

136. Additional conductive layer

137. Additional dielectric layer

138. Adhesive layer

139. Sealant

14. Segment

15. Via

V. Vehicle DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0031]The present invention will be described with respect to particular embodiments and with reference to certain drawings but the invention is not limited thereto but only by the claims.

[0032]While some embodiments described herein include some but not other features included in other embodiments, combinations of features of different embodiments are meant to be within the scope of the invention, and form different embodiments, as would be understood by those in the art. For example, in the following claims, any of the claimed embodiments can be used in any combination.

[0033] As used herein, spatial ordirectional terms, such as "inner", "outer", "above", "below", "top", "bottom", and the like, relate to the invention as it is shown in the drawing figures. However, it is to be understood that the invention can assume various alternative orientations and, accordingly, such terms are not to be considered as limiting. Further, all numbers expressing dimensions, physical characteristics, processing parameters, quantities of ingredients, reaction conditions, and the like, used in the specification and claims are to be understood as being modified in all instances by the term "about". Accordingly, unless indicated to the contrary, the numerical values set forth in the following specification and claims are approximations that can vary depending upon the desired properties sought to be obtained by the present invention.

[0034] Moreover, all ranges disclosed herein are to be understood to be inclusive of the beginning and ending range values and to encompass any and all subranges subsumed therein. For example, a stated range of "1 to 10" should be considered to include any and all subranges between (and inclusive of) the minimum value of 1 and the maximum value of 10; that is, all subranges beginning with a minimum value of 1 or more, e.g., 1 to 6.1, and ending with a maximum value of 10 or less, e.g., 5.5 to 10. Further, as used herein, the terms "deposited over" or "provided over" mean deposited or provided on but not necessarily in surface contact with. For example, a coating "deposited over" a substrate does not preclude the presence of one or more other coating films of the same or different composition located between the deposited coating and the substrate.

[0035] Where the term "comprising" is used in the present description and claims, it does not exclude other elements or steps. Where an indefinite or definite article is used when referring to a singular noun e.g., "a" or "an", "the", this includes a plural of that noun unless something else is specifically stated. In this document, "configured to (or set to)" may be interchangeably used in hardware and software with, for example, "appropriate to", "having a capability to", "changed to", "made to", "capable of", or "designed to" according to a situation. In any situation, an expression "device configured to do" may mean that the device "can do" together with another device or component.

[0036] Furthermore, the terms first, second and the like in the description and in the claims, are used for distinguishing between similar elements and not necessarily for describing a sequence, either temporally, spatially, in ranking or in any other manner. It is to be understood that the terms so used are interchangeable under appropriate circumstances and that the embodiments of the invention described herein are capable of operation in other sequences than described or illustrated herein. When it is described that a constituent element (e.g., a first constituent element) is "(functionally or communicatively) coupled to" or is "connected to" another constituent element (e.g., a second constituent element), it should be understood that the constituent element may be directly connected to the another constituent element or may be connected to the another constituent element through another constituent element (e.g., a third constituent element).

[0037] I n the following description, unless otherwise specified, expression "substantially" or "around" or "proximity" or "close to" preferably mean to within 10%, preferably to within 5% i.e., in this context the terms should be understood as in the range of ± 10%, even more ± 5%. Tolerance may be selected depending on the nature of the intended applications.

[0038] I n the following description, unless otherwise specified, expression "liquid adhesive", "optical coupling material", "optical resin", "optical coupling adhesive", "optical clear adhesive" and "liquid resin" are used interchangeably, further expression "functional film", "film", "electrically powered functional film" and "electrical functional film" are used interchangeably, further expression "flow", "fluidic flow", "liquid flow" and "liquid adhesive flow" are used interchangeably, further expression "segment", "region", "fragment" and "seeing window" are used interchangeably, further expression "glazing", "laminated glazing" are used interchangeably, further expression "flexible connector", "end connector" are used interchangeably, further expression "functional layer", "dimming layer" are used interchangeably.

[0039] A laminated glazing (1) comprising at least a first glass sheet (11) having an outer (Pl) and an inner (P2) faces, an electrically powered functional film (13), a second glass sheet (12) having an outer (P3) and an inner (P4) faces, said functional film (13) laminated between the inner faces (P2, P3) of the glass sheets (11, 12).

[0040] For simplicity, the numbering of the glass sheets (11, 12) in the continuation of the description refers to the numbering nomenclature conventionally used for glazing (1). Thus, the face of the laminated glass which is in contact with the environment external to the vehicle is known as being the face 1 (Pl) and the surface in contact with the internal medium, that is to say the passenger compartment of the vehicle, is known as face 4 (P4), the functional assembly according to the present invention being positioned between the faces 2 (P2) and 3 (P3), where it can be protected from damage.

[0041] In order to avoid any doubt, the terms "external" and "internal" refer to the orientation of the glazing during the installation as glazing in a vehicle. Anyhow, in the description below, these terms are used interchangeably, i.e., the first glass sheet (11) may have face 1 and face 2 or face 3 and face 4 of the glazing, in the meantime the second glass sheet may (12) have face 3 and face 4 or face 1 and face 2, respectively which means first glass sheet (11) may be used as external side of the glazing (1) or the internal side of the glazing (1). Before going into the details of the glazing (1), definitions for glazing (1), structure of the proposed glazing will be explained herein.

[0042] According to the invention, the glass sheets (11, 12) may be a glass of soda-lime-silica, aluminosilicate or borosilicate type, and the like, the composition of the glazing (1) is not crucial for the purpose of the present invention. Although glazing (1) comprises glass sheets (11, 12), it should also be understood that the glazing (1) may comprise sheet made of suitable material like plastic or else, the invention is not limited to glass sheets.

[0043] According to one example of the present invention, the Fig.l shows a laminated automotive sidelite; the sidelite is intended to be fixed on the vehicle's body. It is understood that the invention is not limited to a sidelite and in another preferred embodiment of the present invention, the laminated glazing (1) can be used in any glazing for a vehicle (V) and in another preferred embodiment of the present invention, the laminated glazing (1) can be used in outside or inside of automotive industry, i.e., anywhere where a laminated glazing (1) is needed.

[0044]The glazing (1) as in one embodiment of the present invention comprises a first sheet of glass (11) having an external surface (Pl) and an inner surface (P2), and a second sheet of glass (12) having an inner surface (P3) and an outer surface (P4). Such glazing (1) is laminated. The first sheet of glass (11) of the glazing (1) is that sheet in contact with the exterior of the vehicle. The second sheet of glass (12) is that sheet in contact with the inner space of the vehicle. However, as explained above, the ordering can be changed and also the glazing (1) can be a triple glazing or any kind of glazing with at least two glass sheets (11,12). The glazing (1) can also include more films (13) which are laminated inside.

[0045]According to one embodiment of the present invention, the first and/or the second sheet of glass (11, 12) are bent in a previous step before providing a functional film (13) over at least one surface of the first and/or the second sheet of glass (11, 12), i.e., before the lamination process. In a version of this embodiment, the curvature values of the first glass sheet (11) and the second glass sheet (12) are in line with each other, it has to be understood that the curvature values might not be the same. In another version of this embodiment, the first glass sheet (11) has a low curvature and the second glass (12) is flat, this type of glazing (1) can also be counted curved glazing. The glass sheets (11, 12) before the lamination may be totally or partially curved to reach the requested curvature of the final glazing (1) to correctly fit with the particular design of the glass support, as the shape required for the application. In another embodiment, the sizes of the two glass sheets (11, 12) may differ from each other, in common practice, the first glass sheet (11) with Pl and P2 surfaces is bigger than the second glass sheet (12) with P3 and P4 surfaces. However, the curvature or the sizes of the glazing (1) is not crucial for the present invention.

[0046] According the invention, the term "laminating" refers to a step of providing a layered structure in which the functional film (13) and more particularly the switchable film alone or in combination with another functional film (13), and one or more glass sheets (11, 12) are separated by an optional optical coupling material (not shown) acting as an adhesive interlayer extending across substantially the entire interface between the functional film (13) and the glass sheets (11, 12) facing the functional film (13) or by a conventional interlayer used in the technique such as PVB and EVA. For the sake of the invention, the adhesive layer or the bonding layer may be any suitable material, which is not utmost important for the present invention.

[0047]According to present invention, the glazing (1) comprises a first glass sheet (11), a second glass sheet (12) and an electrically powered functional film (13) in between the glass sheets (11, 12). According to one embodiment of the present invention, the optionally preferred optical coupling material is in contact with the functional film (13) to maintain a distance between the functional film (13) and the at least the first and/or the second glass sheet (11, 12). Achieving such configuration of the glass sheets (11, 12) with the functional film (13) may be accomplished in any method.

[0048] In different embodiments, the optical clear resin and more generally the optical coupling material according to the present invention, extends over the functional film (13) to cover its edges. Thus, the functional film (13) is protected from the moisture. Optical clear resin are widely used in display industry. The advantages of using them are high transparency, low haze and milder temperature and pressure process condition such as the ones applied in automotive lamination process. In different embodiments, the optical coupling material and more particularly the optical clear resin is a thermal cure type, high elongation silicone gel. It can also be two-component type. The optical coupling material as given in above embodiments is only for explanation and examples, the said can be a film or in liquid form, it is not utmost important for the sake of the present invention.

[0049]Th us, the functional film (13), when it is incorporated into a laminated glazing (1) and positioned on a vehicle, in particular as glazed roof or side window, advantageously has to have a good aesthetic and a quick switch in mode ON/OFF in case of switchable film and clear image/information/video in case of integrated display such as OLED display.

[0050] By "functional film" it is meant for example electrochromic means in which the variation is obtained by modifying the state of colored ions in compositions included in these glazing (1) and which are in general sensitive to application of high pressure and temperature. It is also a question of glazing comprising, in suspension, layers of particles that, depending on the application of an electric voltage, are or are not ordered, such as the systems referred to as suspended particles devices (SPDs), or even a polymer-dispersed liquid-crystal (PDLC) film consisting of a polymer containing liquid crystals sensitive to the application of the electric voltage or even a guest-host liquid crystal film which include polymers, inorganic particles, or dichroic dye within the liquid crystal matrix. More particularly, the "electrically powered film" is a liquid crystals (LC) film providing controllable visual isolation. In these applications, the main function is the transformation of an essentially transparent glazing (1) into a glazing that is simply translucent. The electrically powered functional film (13) may be a display film which is electrically operated to illustrate pictures and/or videos to be seen from the outer and/or inner of the vehicle wherein the glazing (1) is placed. The "electrically powered functional film" may be made of OLED and more particularly well-known AMOLED. The glazing (1) according to the present invention may comprise a combination of one switchable film and OLED film. According to one embodiment of the present invention, the functional film (13) has a size smaller than the first (11) and the second sheet of glass (12). According to the present invention, the functional film (13) is electrically powered through a flexible connector, where the flexible connector, or in other words, end connector, is coming out from the edges of the functional film (13). The way to connect the functional film (13) to a power source is well-known. In terms of the present invention, the functional film (13) is not limited to examples given above and it should be understood broadly that any functional film (13) to be used in glazing (1) which is suitable or not for interlayer lamination, like PVB lamination.

[0051] Such functional films (13) are comprised of several layers, a functional layer (131) is provided in the middle of the functional film (13), which can be a dimming layer in the case of the function is providing dimming effect. A conductive layer (132, 133) on each side of the functional layer (131) is provided to activate the functional layer (131), i.e., to provide current to the functional layer (131). A dielectric layer (134, 135) on each conductive layer (132, 133) is then provided to protect the functional film (13) from environment. Therefore, the functional film (13) comprises a functional layer (131) in the middle, a conductive layer (132, 133) on both sides of the functional layer (131) and a dielectric layer (134, 135) on outer surfaces of both of the conductive layers (132, 133) as shown in Figures 5 and 6.

[0052] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the electrically powered film (13) is a film sensitive to pressure such as pressure applied during a classical lamination process including autoclave bend a glazing (1). This kind of pressure is a pressure comprised between 0.04MPa and 1.4MPa. The functional film (13) is for example a LC film which is known to be sensitive to pressure. It is understood the functional film (13) may be a LC film, a GHLC film, an OLED film, PDLC film, SPD film or other functional film (13) sensitive to pressure as described previously.

[0053]The functional film (13) may comprise segments (14) that can be controlled independently from each other, i.e., the function of the functional film (13) such as the dimming, can be realized by the segment (14) individually as illustrated in Figures 3 and 4. The way to activate independent segments (14) is to provide independent current to the said segment (14) to operate the segment (14). As in the prior art, said segments (14) are defined as viewed from the top of the functional film (13) as shown in Fig. 3 and 4, therefore the segment (14) of the present invention should be understood as such. Layer structure of the functional film (13) for achieving the segment (14) of the present invention will be explained in detail in further embodiments.

[0054]Th us, the invention relates to any laminated glazing (1), whether tempered or not, that comprises a functional film (13) with one segment/region (14) that can be controlled independently from the rest of the functional film (13), and the glazing (1) has optionally a complex curvature to fit with the design of the automotive, but not limited to.

[0055]The segment (14) of the present invention is suitable for a laminated glazing (1) comprising a functional film (13) according to the definitions above, and further the laminated glazing (1) of the present invention comprises the said segment (14) being a closed loop shape. The periphery of the segment (14) provides a closed loop that the edges of the segment (14), i.e., the outer contour of the segment (14) completes itself into a closed curve to isolate the segment (14) from the rest of the functional film (13). The segment (14) being a closed loop shape provides that the dimming effect or the function of the functional film (13) can be realized only for the area of the segment (14) and not for the rest of the functional film (13), i.e., an actual segmentation on the functional film (13) is realized by the present invention.

[0056] In one embodiment of the present invention, the edges of the segment/region (14) lie on the inner part of the functional film (13). As the segment (14) can be controlled independent from the rest of the functional film (13), to provide an aesthetic functioning of the segment (14), the edges of the segment (14) do not have any connection/contact with the edge of the functional film (13), i.e., the segment (14) of the present invention lies as an island on the central/inner surface of the functional film (13). Inner part of the functional film (13), therefore, should be understood as any part of the functional film (13) which is infinitesimally further away the edges of the functional film (13), i.e., any part of the functional film (13) with no connection to the edges of the functional film (13).

[0057] In another embodiment of the present invention, the functional film (13) comprises a functional/dimming layer (131) sandwiched in between conductive layers (132, 133) and dielectric layers (134, 135) as outer layers, the functional film (13) further comprises at least one additional conductive layer (136) and one additional dielectric layer (137) on its one side as shown in Fig. 5. The functional film (13) comprises, from bottom to top as viewed from a cross-section, a bottom dielectric layer (134), a bottom conductive layer (132), a functional/dimming layer (131), a conductive layer (133), a dielectric layer (135), an additional conductive layer (136), and an additional dielectric layer (137) as the top layer. By providing the additional conductive (136) and dielectric layers (137) into the functional film (13), the segment (14) of the present invention with no contact/connection to the edge of the functional film (13) can be realized with only one functional layer (131) as shown in Fig. 6. For further independent segments (14), another pair of additional conductive (136) and dielectric layer (137) can be added into the functional film (13).

[0058] In a version of this embodiment, the conductive layer (133) is disrupted along the periphery of the segment (14) to separate the current flow of the rest of the functional film

(13) to the segment (14). This makes the segment (14) truly independent from the rest of the functional film (13), indeed such disruption enables realization of the segment (14) on the same functional layer (131). The disruption of the conductive layer (133) therefore should be understood as any means which interrupts the current flow to the segment (14) from the conductive layer (133).

[0059] In another version of this embodiment, at least a portion of the dielectric layer (135) over the segment (14) is disrupted to provide electrical connection between the conductive layer (133) and/or the additional conductive layer (136) over the segment. Therefore, the segment (14) can be controlled independently from the rest of the functional film (13) by supplying current thru the additional conductive layer (136). The disruption of the dielectric layer (135) therefore should be understood as any means which provides the current flow inbetween the conductive layer (133) and the additional conductive layer (136) indubitably over the area of the segment (14).

[0060] In another version of this embodiment, at least one via (15) is provided on the dielectric layer (135) and/or the conductive layer (133). The electrification of the segment

(14) on the inner part of the functional film (13) may be provided with vias (15) provided on the dielectric layer (135) and/or the conductive layer (133), and therefore electrical connection to the segment (14) can be achieved thru the additional conductive layer (136). Therefore, the via (15) explained in this embodiment should be understood as a hole in the dielectric layer (135) with inner walls of the via (15) are conductive that electrical connection inbetween the conductive layer (133) and additional conductive layer (136) provided, as seen in Fig. 6, the conductive layer (133) corresponding to the segment (14) is electrically connected to the additional conductive layer (136) thru the via (15). The conductive layer (133) and dielectric layer (135) may comprise multiple vias (15) as holes for inducing the functional layer (131), the said vias (15) may also be understood as holes on the relevant layer. [0061] In one version of the current embodiment of the present invention, the diameter of the vias/holes (15) are around 10 pm.

[0062] In one version of the current embodiment of the present invention, the conductive layers (133, 136) and dielectric layers (135) are engraved by laser. The disruptions mentioned in above embodiments may be generated by laser engraving. In different embodiments of the present invention, the said disruptions as the vias (15) can be provided with mechanical, chemical methods such as etching and masking or any method known for providing such disruptions.

[0063] In one version of the current embodiment of the present invention, the conductive layer (132, 133, 136) is preferably ITO (Indium Tin Oxide). The conductive layer (132, 133, 136) can be any suitable material for such functional films (13), the common conductive layer (132,

133. 136) used in such functional films (13) is the ITO since it is transparent and the present invention prefers also the ITO as the conductive layer (132, 133, 136). As explained above for the vias (15), the inner walls of the vias (15) therefore are also coated with ITO. By providing ITO as the conductive layers (133, 136, 132), the segment (14) of the present invention can be electrified/powered without having any connection to the edge of the functional film (13). [0064] I n one version of the current embodiment of the present invention, the dielectric layer (134, 135, 137) is PET (Polyethylene terephthalate). The dielectric layer (134, 135, 137) can be any suitable material for such functional films (13), the common dielectric layer (134, 135, 137) used in such functional films (13) is the PET and the present invention prefers also the PET as the dielectric layer (134, 135, 137).

[0065] In another embodiment of the present invention, the functional film (13) comprises an adhesive layer (138) inbetween conductive layer (132, 133, 136) and dielectric layer (134,

135. 137).

[0066] In another embodiment of the present invention, the functional film (13) comprises a peripheral sealant (139) around the edges of the functional film (13). Such sealants (139) are used to protect the functional film (13) from the environment and so on.

[0067]A method for manufacturing a laminated glazing (1) as described above in detail, comprising steps of; providing a dielectric layer (135), providing at least one via (15) on the dielectric layer (135), providing a conductive layer (133, 136) on each side of the dielectric layer (135) including the inner walls of the via (15), providing disruption on the conductive layer (133) inline with the periphery of the segment (14), providing an additional dielectric layer (137) on top of the additional conductive layer (136), providing a functional layer (131) on the conductive layer (133), providing a conductive layer (132) and a dielectric layer (134) on the other side of the functional layer (131).

The segment (14) as explained in detail above, is manufactured by the said method during the manufacturing of the functional film (13) namely, a dielectric layer (135) is firstly provided and processed to have at least one via/hole (15), afterwards both surfaces of the dielectric layer (135) are coated with conductive material, in the meantime, the inner walls of the via/hole (15) are also coated with conductive material hence conductive layers (133, 136) are connected with each other, and then one of the conductive layer (133, 136) on the dielectric layer (135) is disrupted along the periphery of the segment (14) to provide electrical connection only to segment (14) to define the segment (14), the rest of the process follows the conventional method of functional film manufacturing. The method in different embodiments may further comprise a step of providing a sealant (139) around the edges of the functional film (13) and may further comprise that the functional film (13) manufactured by the said method is laminated inbetween two glass sheets (11, 12) to make the glazing (1) of the present invention.

[0068]With this invention, specifically the requirement of a cover as black band for the functional film (13) with segments (14) controlled individually are eliminated by the introduction of the segment (14) described in detail. Moreover the aesthetic defect as the segment (14) extends to the edge of the functional film (13) is also eliminated. By the present invention, such segments (14) can be provided with just one functional layer (131) inside the functional film (13).

[0069] While the invention has been illustrated and described in detail in the drawings and foregoing description, such illustration and description are to be considered illustrative or exemplary and not restrictive. The foregoing description details certain embodiments of the invention. It will be appreciated, however, that no matter how detailed the foregoing appears in text, the invention may be practiced in many ways. The invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiments.

Claims

1. A laminated glazing (1) comprising at least a first glass sheet (11) having an outer (Pl) and an inner (P2) faces, a second glass sheet (12) having an outer (P3) and an inner (P4) faces, an electrically powered functional film (13) laminated between the inner faces (P2, P3) of the glass sheets (11, 12), said functional film (13) comprises at least one segment (14) that can be controlled independently from the rest of the functional film (13) characterized in that the said segment (14) being a closed loop shape.

2. A laminated glazing (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the edges of the segment (14) lie on the inner part of the functional film (13).

3. A laminated glazing (1) according to claim 1 or claim 2, characterized in that the functional film (13) comprises a functional layer (131) sandwiched in between conductive layers (132, 133) and dielectric layers (134, 135) as outer layers, the functional film (13) further comprises at least one additional conductive layer (136) and one additional dielectric layer (137) on top of the additional conductive layer (136).

4. A laminated glazing (1) according to claim 3, characterized in that the conductive layer (133) is disrupted along the periphery of the segment (14).

5. A laminated glazing (1) according to claim 3 or 4, characterized in that at least a portion of the dielectric layer (135) over the segment (14) is disrupted.

6. A laminated glazing (1) according to claim 3 to 5, characterized in that at least one via (15) is provided on the dielectric layer (135) and/or conductive layer (133).

7. A laminated glazing (1) according to claim 3 to 6, characterized in that the diameter of via (15) is around 10 microns.

8. A laminated glazing (1) according to claim 3 to 7, characterized in that the conductive layer (133) and/or dielectric layer (135) are engraved by laser.

9. A laminated glazing (1) according to claim 3 to 8, characterized in that the conductive layer (132, 133, 136) is preferably ITO.

10. A laminated glazing (1) according to claim 3 to 9, characterized in that the dielectric layer (134, 135, 137) is PET.

11. A laminated glazing (1) according to claim 3 to 10, characterized in that the functional film (13) comprises an adhesive layer (138) inbetween conductive layer (132, 133, 136) and dielectric layer (134, 135, 137).

12. A laminated glazing (1) according to any preceding claims, characterized in that the functional film (13) comprises a sealant (139) around the edges of the functional film

(13).

13. A method for manufacturing a laminated glazing (1) according to any preceding claims, comprising steps of; providing a dielectric layer (135), providing at least one via (15) on the dielectric layer (135), providing a conductive layer (133, 136) on each side of the dielectric layer (135), providing disruption on the conductive layer (133) inline with the periphery of the segment (14), providing an additional dielectric layer (137) on top of the additional conductive layer (136), providing a functional layer (131) on the conductive layer (133), providing a conductive layer (132) and a dielectric layer (134) on the other side of the functional layer (131).

14. A method for manufacturing a laminated glazing (1) according to claim 13, the method further comprising steps of; providing a sealant (139) along the periphery of the functional film (13).

15. A method for manufacturing a laminated glazing (1) according to claim 13 or 14, the method further comprising steps of; laminating the functional film (13) inbetween the glass sheets (11, 12).