VEHICLE SUNROOF WITH SWITCHABLE GLAZING AND SIDE-FIRING LIGHT EMITTING DIODES AND/OR METHODS OF MAKING THE SAME

• US 20170291537A1
• Filed: 06/26/2017
• Published: 10/12/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 08/22/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Guardian Glass LLC (KOCH Industries Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Guardian Industries Corporation (KOCH Industries Incorporated)
• Inventors: FREY, Timothy J., VANDAL, Robert A.
• Granted Patent: US 9,956,906 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 17/06 comprising glass as the main or only constituent of a layer, next to another layer of a specific material
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 17/10005 laminated safety glass or glazing
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 17/10229 Metallic layers sandwiched by dielectric layers
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 17/10504 Liquid crystal layer
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 17/10541 comprising a light source or a light guide
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 17/10761 containing vinyl acetal
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 2305/55 Liquid crystals
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 2307/412 Transparent
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 2315/08 Glass
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 2329/06 PVB, i.e. polyinylbutyral
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 2367/00 Polyesters, e.g. PET, i.e. polyethylene terephthalate
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 2605/006 Transparent parts other than made from inorganic glass, e.g. polycarbonate glazings
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 7/12 using interposed adhesives or interposed materials with bonding properties
• CPC Class Codes: B60J 3/04 adjustable in transparency
• CPC Class Codes: B60J 7/043 Sunroofs B60J7/047 - B60J7/053 take precedencee.g. sliding above the roof
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/268 on windscreens or windows B60Q1/302 takes precedence; lighting devices for vehicle interior on or for windows B60Q3/208
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/2696 Mounting of devices using LEDs
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 3/208 Sun roofs; Windows
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 1/133302 Rigid substrates, e.g. inorganic substrates
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 1/1334 based on polymer dispersed liquid crystals, e.g. microencapsulated liquid crystals
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 1/137 : characterised by the electro-optical or magneto-optical effect, e.g. field-induced phase transition, orientation effect, guest-host interaction or dynamic scattering
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 1/13756 : the liquid crystal selectively assuming a light-scattering state G02F1/1334, G02F1/13718 take precedence

Abstract

Certain example embodiments relate to a vehicle window (e.g., sunroof). Side-firing LEDs are provided between first and second substantially parallel substrates and emit light towards central regions of the window. A liquid-crystal inclusive switchable film is provided between the first and second substrates. The liquid crystals are sized such that light received from the LEDs is redirected in a direction substantially normal to major surfaces of the first and second substrates. The switchable film is operable in at least first and second modes, with the window in the first mode having a visible transmission of less than 1%, and with the window in the second mode having a visible transmission of 7-15%. The switchable film and the LEDs are operable independently of one another in connection with the LEDs emitting light and the switchable film controlling visible transmission therethrough.

Claims

1-30. -30. (canceled)

31. A window for a vehicle, the window comprising:

first and second glass substrates;

a plurality of light emitting diodes (LEDs) provided between the first and second glass substrates, wherein the light emitting diodes (LEDs) are configured to emit light toward a central area of the window;

a light scattering layer provided between the first and second glass substrates, the light scattering layer comprising light scatterers, the light scatterers configured and arranged in the light scattering layer and relative to the light emitting diodes (LEDs) so that light received from the LEDs is to be redirected in a direction substantially normal to major surfaces of the first and second glass substrates.

32. The window of claim 31, wherein the light scattering layer comprises a liquid-crystal inclusive switchable film.

33. The window of claim 32, wherein and the scatterers comprise liquid crystals.

34. The window of claim 32, wherein the switchable film comprises a polymer-dispersed liquid crystal (PDLC) film.

35. The window of claim 32, wherein the switchable film is configured to be operable in at least first and second modes, the window in the first mode configured to have a visible transmission of less than 1%, and in the second mode to have a visible transmission of 7-15%.

36. The window of claim 31, wherein the window is a sunroof.

37. The window of claim 31, wherein the LEDs are side-firing LEDs spaced no more than 1-2 mm from adjacent edges of the light scattering layer.

38. The window of claim 32, wherein the switchable film and the LEDs are operable independently of each other, the LEDs for emitting light and the switchable film for controlling visible transmission.

39. The window of claim 31, wherein the light scattering layer extends across substantially an entirety of the window.

40. The window of claim 31, wherein the first and second glass substrates are laminated together via at least one polymer inclusive laminating layer.

41. The window of claim 40, wherein the polymer inclusive laminating layer comprises PVB.

42. The window of claim 40, further comprising a low-E coating provided between the first and second glass substrates.

43. The window of claim 31, further comprising a low-E coating supported by at least one of the substrates.

44. The window of claim 32, wherein the switchable film is configured to be operable in at least first and second modes, the window in the first mode configured to have a visible transmission of less than 7%, and in the second mode to have a visible transmission of 7-15% and higher than in the first mode.

45. The window of claim 32, wherein the first and second glass substrates are laminated together via first and second polymer inclusive laminating layers, and wherein the switchable film is provided between the first and second laminating layers.

46. The window of claim 45, wherein the first and second polymer inclusive laminating layers each comprise PVB.