LAMINATED GLAZING WITH VARIABLE LIQUID-CRYSTAL-INDUCED SCATTERING, AND PROCESS AND DEVICE FOR MANUFACTURING IT

• US 20130141656A1
• Filed: 06/27/2011
• Published: 06/06/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 06/25/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Cardinal IG Company (Cardinal Glass Industries Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Saint-Gobain Glass France (Compagnie De Saint-Gobain)
• Inventors: Kujawa, Jean, Vila, Serge
• Granted Patent: US 9,658,478 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 349/33
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 17/10036 comprising two outer glass sheets
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 17/10293 Edge features, e.g. inserts or holes
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 17/10302 Edge sealing
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 17/10376 Laminated safety glass or glazing containing metal wires
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 17/10504 Liquid crystal layer
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 17/10788 containing ethylene vinylacetate
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 1/13306 Circuit arrangements or driving methods for the control of single liquid crystal cells G02F1/132, G02F1/133382 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 1/133325 Assembling processes
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 1/1334 based on polymer dispersed liquid crystals, e.g. microencapsulated liquid crystals
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 1/1339 Gaskets; Spacers; Sealing of cells
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 1/1345 Conductors connecting electrodes to cell terminals
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 1/13452 Conductors connecting driver circuitry and terminals of panels
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 2202/28 Adhesive materials or arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49 Method of mechanical manufacture

Abstract

A laminated glazing with variable liquid-crystal-induced scattering, includes a first glass sheet; a first interlayer film for laminating the first glass sheet, made from a first plastic material; an electrically controllable, variable scattering system including the liquid crystals between a first support for a first electrode and a second support for a second electrode, the electrodes making contact with the liquid crystals; a second interlayer film, made from a second plastic material for laminating a second glass sheet; links to the electrodes; electrical wiring with two wiring inputs; a polymer material, for protecting the wiring inputs, which makes contact with the glass sheets; and a seal for sealing the liquid crystals and the electrodes from water. The protective polymer material forms a seal for sealing the electrode links and the wiring inputs from liquid water.

Claims

1. A laminated glazing with variable liquid-crystal-induced scattering, the laminated glazing comprising:

a first glass sheet;

a first interlayer film for laminating the first glass sheet, made from a first plastic material;

an electrically controllable, variable scattering system comprising liquid crystals between a first support for a first electrode and a second support for a second electrode, the first and second electrodes making contact with the liquid crystals;

a second interlayer film, made from a second plastic material for laminating a second glass sheet;

first and second links, to the first and second electrodes respectively;

electrical wiring with two wiring inputs, a first wiring input connected to the first link and a second wiring input connected to the second link;

a polymer material, for protecting the first and second wiring inputs, which makes contact with the first and second glass sheets; and

a seal configured to seal the liquid crystals and the first and second electrodes from water,

wherein the protective polymer material forms a seal configured to seal the first and second electrode links and the first and second wiring inputs from liquid water.

2. The laminated glazing according to claim 1, wherein the protective material is crosslinked.

3. The laminated glazing according to claim 1, wherein the protective material is based on ethylene-vinyl acetate.

4. The laminated glazing according to claim 1 wherein the protective material is based on ethylene-vinyl acetate, the first and second plastic materials are based on ethylene-vinyl acetate, and the first and second plastic materials are extended by the protective material, thus forming a continuous length of the material(s).

5. The laminated glazing according to claim 1, wherein the protective material has an external surface, directed towards the exterior of the glazing, which is moulded.

6. The laminated glazing according to claim 1, wherein the electrical wiring comprises a wire that, over at least some of its a length thereof located outside of an input region of the wire, comprises a sheath that makes contact with the protective material and that is held fast by the protective material or by the first and/or second plastic material(s).

7. The laminated glazing according to claim 1, wherein the electrical wiring comprises a wire that extends along the edge of the glazing and wherein, over at least some of a length thereof located outside of an input region of the wire, the wire, with or without an external sheath, is covered by said protective material.

8. The laminated glazing according to claim 1, wherein the electrical wiring comprises a wire that extends along a peripheral groove between the first and second glass sheets, and wherein, over at least some of its a length thereof located outside of the input region of the wire, the wire, with or without an external sheath, is covered by said protective material.

9. The laminated glazing according to claim 1, wherein the electrical wiring comprises a wire fixed in a defined unidirectional position at least outside of the input of the wire, said input being covered with the protective material.

10. The laminated glazing according to claim 1, wherein the protective material, covers continuously the first and second links and a space between the first and second links.

11. The laminated glazing according to claim 1, wherein the wiring exits the glazing, not covered by the protective material, in a single region.

12. The laminated glazing according to claim 1, wherein the protective material lies along at least one edge face, and/or along a peripheral groove between the first and second glass sheets.

13. The laminated glazing according to claim 1, wherein the protective material lies around the entire perimeter of the edge of the glazing and the protective material, and/or the protective material lies in a peripheral groove between the first and second glass sheets;

framing the glazing and enclosing the wiring.

14. The laminated glazing according to claim 1, wherein the protective material is formed from the first interlayer film protruding from the first glass sheet and optionally the second interlayer film protruding from the second glass sheet.

15. A method comprising arranging the laminated glazing with variable liquid-crystal-induced scattering, according to claim 1, as:

an internal partition in a building or in a terrestrial, aerial or nautical object of transportation;

a glazed door, a window, a ceiling or a tiling;

a rear-view mirror of a vehicle, side windows or roof of a terrestrial, aerial or nautical object of transportation;

a projector screen;

or

a shop window or a window of a counter.

16. A process for manufacturing a laminated glazing with liquid-crystal-induced variable scattering, according to claim 1,

the process comprising forming a seal for sealing the first and second electrode links and the first and second wiring inputs from liquid water, the forming comprising:

inserting the protective polymer material into a mould having an internal moulding surface facing the first and second wiring inputs;

placing the assembly in a sealed vacuum system, and heating the protective polymer material until fluid so that the protective polymer material follows closely the moulding surface and makes contact with the first and second glass sheets.

17. The process for manufacturing the laminated glazing with liquid-crystal-induced variable scattering, according to claim 16, wherein said heating fluidizes the first and second thermoplastic materials so as to ensure lamination, and optionally the protective material makes contact with the first and second thermoplastic materials.

18. The process for manufacturing the laminated glazing with liquid-crystal-induced variable scattering, according to claim 16, wherein the protective material is based on ethylene-vinyl acetate, and the first and second thermoplastic materials are based on ethylene-vinyl acetate.

19. The process for manufacturing the laminated glazing with liquid-crystal-induced variable scattering, according to claim 16, wherein the mould lies along the edge of the glazing and presses against the glazing at least on an external face of the first sheet and optionally butts against the edge of the glazing.

20. The process for manufacturing the laminated glazing with liquid-crystal-induced variable scattering, according to claim 16, wherein the mould encircles the perimeter of the glazing.

21. The process for manufacturing the laminated glazing with liquid-crystal-induced variable scattering, according to claim 16, wherein the mould is opened or pierced with one or more holes in a sidewall thereof facing the edge of the glazing so as to let the wiring exit.

22. The process for manufacturing the laminated glazing with liquid-crystal-induced variable scattering, according to claim 16, wherein the mould is opened laterally on at least one side so as to let the wiring exit.

23. The process for manufacturing the laminated glazing with liquid-crystal-induced variable scattering, according to claim 16, wherein the mould presses against the main external faces of the glazing.

24. The process for manufacturing the laminated glazing with liquid-crystal-induced variable scattering, according to claim 16, wherein the mould only presses against one end of the main external face of the first sheet and a cover is placed on one edge of the main external face of the second sheet and extends over the mould.

26. A mould for the implementation of the process for manufacturing the laminated glazing with liquid-crystal-induced variable scattering according to claim 16, comprising a surface to which the protective polymer material does not adhere.

27. A mould for the implementation of the process for manufacturing the laminated glazing with liquid-crystal-induced variable scattering according to claim 16, wherein said mould has a substantially C-shaped cross section.

25. (canceled)