Glazing having switchable optical properties

• US 10,061,178 B2
• Filed: 10/08/2013
• Issued: 08/28/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 11/08/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Saint-Gobain Glass France (Compagnie De Saint-Gobain)
• Original Assignee: Saint-Gobain Glass France (Compagnie De Saint-Gobain)
• Inventors: Orillard, Julien, Selles, Olivier
• Primary Examiner(s): Lester, Evelyn A
• Application Number:
  US14/437,480
• Publication Number:
  US 20150301423A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,785 Days
• Field of Search: 359265-275
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 65/002 Joining methods not otherwise provided for
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 65/02 by heating, with or without pressure
• CPC Class Codes: B29K 2055/00 Use of specific polymers obtained by polymerisation reactions only involving carbon-to-carbon unsaturated bonds, not provided for in a single one of main groups B29K2023/00 - B29K2049/00, e.g. having a vinyl group, as moulding material
• CPC Class Codes: B29L 2031/7782 Glazing
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 17/10045 with at least one intermediate layer consisting of a glass sheet
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 17/10055 with at least one intermediate air space
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 17/10201 Dielectric coatings
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 17/10477 thermochromic
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 17/10495 optoelectronic, i.e. optical valve
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 17/10761 containing vinyl acetal
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 2250/04 4 layers
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 2307/40 having particular optical properties light or UV resistant B32B2307/71
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 2307/412 Transparent
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 2329/06 PVB, i.e. polyinylbutyral
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 2419/00 Buildings or parts thereof walls, panels B32B2607/00
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 2551/00 Optical elements
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 27/30 comprising vinyl (co)polymers; comprising acrylic (co)polymers
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 37/06 characterised by the heating method
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 37/10 characterised by the pressing technique, e.g. using action of vacuum or fluid pressure
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 37/1018 using only vacuum
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 37/182 : one or more of the layers being plastic
• CPC Class Codes: C03C 17/225 : Nitrides
• CPC Class Codes: C03C 17/23 : Oxides C03C17/02 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: E06B 2009/2405 : Areas of differing opacity for light transmission control
• CPC Class Codes: E06B 2009/2417 : Light path control; means to control reflection
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 1/0018 : Electro-optical materials
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 1/0107 : Gaskets, spacers or sealing of cells; Filling and closing of cells
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 1/153 : Constructional details
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 1/157 : Structural association of cells with optical devices, e.g. reflectors or illuminating devices
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 1/161 : Gaskets; Spacers; Sealing of cells; Filling or closing of cells
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 1/163 : Operation of electrochromic cells, e.g. electrodeposition cells; Circuit arrangements therefor
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 1/19 : based on variable-reflection or variable-refraction elements not provided for in groups G02F1/015 - G02F1/169
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 2001/15145 : the electrochromic layer comprises a mixture of anodic and cathodic compounds
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 2202/14 : photochromic

Abstract

A glazing having switchable optical properties is described, including a transparent substrate having an outer surface and an inner surface, a reflection layer on the outer surface and/or on the inner surface and a switchable functional element arranged on the interior side with respect to the reflection layer. The reflection layer contains a material having a refractive index n_R of 1.6 to 2.5. The product of the refractive index n_R and the thickness d of the reflection layer is from 250 nm to 960 nm.

Claims

1. A glazing having switchable optical properties, comprising at least:

a transparent substrate having an outer surface and an inner surface,

a reflection layer on the outer surface and/or on the inner surface, and

a switchable functional element arranged on the interior side relative to the reflection layer,

wherein the functional element is an electrochromic, a PDLC, an SPD, a thermochromic, a gasochromic, a photochromic, a photoelectrochromic, or a thermotropic functional element,

wherein the reflection layer contains a material having a refractive index n_R from 1.6 to 2.55 and wherein the product of the refractive index n_R and the thickness d of the reflection layer is from 250 nm to 960 nm, and wherein the reflection layer is a single and homogeneous layer so that the reflection is not a layer structure of individual layers.

2. The glazing according to claim 1, wherein the substrate is bonded to a transparent cover pane having an outer surface and an inner surface via the inner surface by means of at least one thermoplastic intermediate layer and wherein the functional element is arranged on the outer surface, on the inner surface, or in the thermoplastic intermediate layer.

3. The glazing according to claim 1, wherein the substrate is bonded to a transparent cover pane having an outer surface and an inner surface via the inner surface by means of at least one spacer and wherein the functional element is arranged on the outer surface or on the inner surface.

4. The glazing according to claim 1, wherein the reflection layer is arranged on the outer surface and the functional element is arranged on the inner surface.

5. The glazing according to claim 1, wherein the reflection layer contains at least silicon nitride, tin oxide, silicon oxynitride, zinc oxide, zirconium oxide, aluminum nitride, indium tin oxide, tin zinc oxide, titanium zinc oxide, and/or titanium silicon oxide.

6. The glazing according to claim 1, wherein the product of the refractive index n_R and the thickness d of the reflection layer is from 365 nm to 400 nm, or from 730 nm to 800 nm.

7. The glazing according to claim 6, wherein the product of the refractive index n_R and the thickness d of the reflection layer is from 375 nm to 390 nm.

8. The glazing according to claim 6, wherein the product of the refractive index n_R and the thickness d of the reflection layer is from 750 nm to 780 nm.

9. The glazing according to claim 1, wherein the product of the refractive index n_R and the thickness d of the reflection layer is from 435 nm to 480 nm, or from 870 nm to 960 nm.

10. The glazing according to claim 9, wherein the product of the refractive index n_R and the thickness d of the reflection layer is from 440 nm to 475 nm.

11. The glazing according to claim 9, wherein the product of the refractive index n_R and the thickness d of the reflection layer is from 880 nm to 950 nm.

12. The glazing according to claim 1, wherein the product of the refractive index n_R and the thickness d of the reflection layer is from 305 nm to 365 nm, or from 610 nm to 730 nm.

13. The glazing according to claim 12, wherein the product of the refractive index n_R and the thickness d of the reflection layer is from 320 nm to 345 nm.

14. The glazing according to claim 12, wherein the product of the refractive index n_R and the thickness d of the reflection layer is from 640 nm to 690 nm.

15. The glazing according to claim 1, wherein the product of the refractive index n_R and the thickness d of the reflection layer is from 250 nm to 300 nm, or from 500 nm to 600 nm.

16. The glazing according to claim 15, wherein the product of the refractive index n_R and the thickness d of the reflection layer is from 270 nm to 285 nm.

17. The glazing according to claim 15, wherein the product of the refractive index n_R and the thickness d of the reflection layer is from 540 nm to 570 nm.

18. The glazing according to claim 1, wherein the substrate contains non-prestressed, partially prestressed, or prestressed glass, or clear plastics and/or mixtures thereof.

19. The glazing according to claim 18, wherein the substrate contains flat glass, float glass, quartz glass, borosilicate glass, or soda lime glass.

20. The glazing according to claim 18, wherein the substrate contains polyethylene, polypropylene, polycarbonate, polymethyl methacrylate, polystyrene, polyamide, polyester, or polyvinyl chloride.

21. The glazing according to claim 18, wherein the substrate has a thickness from 20 μ

m to 10 mm.

22. A method comprising:

providing the reflection layer in the glazing according to claim 1;

selecting a refractive index n_R from 1.6 to 2.55 and selecting a thickness d, wherein the product of the refractive index n_R and the thickness d of the reflection layer is from 250 nm to 960 nm; and

thereby

controlling the external reflection color.

23. A method for producing a glazing having switchable optical properties, comprising at least:

a transparent substrate having an outer surface and an inner surface, a reflection layer on the outer surface and/or on the inner surface, and a switchable functional element arranged on the interior side relative to the reflection layer, wherein the functional element is an electrochromic, a PDLC, an SPD, a thermochromic, a gasochromic, a photochromic, a photoelectrochromic, or a thermotropic functional element, wherein the reflection layer contains a material having a refractive index n_R from 1.6 to 2.55 and wherein the product of the refractive index n_R and the thickness d of the reflection layer is from 250 nm to 960 nm, and wherein the reflection layer is a single and homogeneous layer so that the reflection is not a layer structure of individual layers, comprising at least;

applying the reflection layer on the outer surface or on the inner surface of the transparent substrate,

applying the switchable functional element on the outer surface or on the inner surface of a transparent cover pane or incorporating the switchable functional element into a thermoplastic intermediate layer, and

bonding the transparent substrate to the transparent cover pane via the thermoplastic intermediate layer under the action of heat, vacuum, and/or pressure.

24. A method for producing a glazing having switchable optical properties, comprising at least:

a transparent substrate having an outer surface and an inner surface, a reflection layer on the outer surface and/or on the inner surface, and a switchable functional element arranged on the interior side relative to the reflection layer, wherein the functional element is an electrochromic, a PDLC, an SPD, a thermochromic, a gasochromic, a photochromic, a photoelectrochromic, or a thermotropic functional element, wherein the reflection layer contains a material having a refractive index n_R from 1.6 to 2.55 and wherein the product of the refractive index n_R and the thickness d of the reflection layer is from 250 nm to 960 nm, and wherein the reflection layer is a single and homogeneous layer so that the reflection is not a layer structure of individual layers, comprising at least;

applying the reflection layer on the outer surface or on the inner surface of the transparent substrate,

applying the switchable functional element on the outer surface or on the inner surface of a transparent cover pane, and

bonding the transparent substrate to the transparent cover pane via at least one spacer.

25. A method for producing a glazing having switchable optical properties, comprising at least:

a transparent substrate having an outer surface and an inner surface, a reflection layer on the outer surface and/or on the inner surface, and a switchable functional element arranged on the interior side relative to the reflection layer, wherein the functional element is an electrochromic, a PDLC, an SPD, a thermochromic, a gasochromic, a photochromic, a photoelectrochromic, or a thermotropic functional element, wherein the reflection layer contains a material having a refractive index n_R from 1.6 to 2.55 and wherein the product of the refractive index n_R and the thickness d of the reflection layer is from 250 nm to 960 nm, and wherein the reflection layer is a single and homogeneous layer so that the reflection is not a layer structure of individual layers, comprising at least;

applying the reflection layer on the outer surface of the transparent substrate and

applying the switchable functional element on the inner surface of the transparent substrate.