DE202021004050U1 - Glazing with sensor button - Google Patents

Abstract

Glazing (1), with at least one pane (2, 3) and at least one opaque masking strip (5, 5') for masking a structure in an edge region (16) of the pane (2, 3) that is otherwise recognizable through the pane when installed. , wherein the masking strip (5, 5') contains an electrically conductive material and has at least one separating line (11, 11') through which at least one electrical sensor button area (9) is formed in the masking strip (5, 5').

Description

The invention relates to a glazing with a sensor button, as well as a glazing arrangement with a glazing according to the invention.

Glazing in buildings and vehicles is increasingly being provided with large-area, electrically conductive layers that are transparent to visible light and that have to fulfill specific functions (functional layers).

In particular, high demands are placed on glazing with regard to its heat-insulating properties for reasons of energy saving and comfort. So it is desirable to avoid a high heat input from solar radiation, which leads to excessive heating of the interior and in turn results in high energy costs for the necessary air conditioning. This can be remedied by layer systems in which the light transmission and thus the heat input due to sunlight can be controlled by applying an electrical voltage. Electrochromic layer systems are, for example, from EP 0867752 A1 , US 2007/0097481 A1 and U.S. 2008/0169185 A1 known. Such layer systems are usually switched by external switches located in the vicinity of the glazing.

Another function of electrically conductive layers is to keep the field of vision of a vehicle window free of ice and fog. Electric heating layers are known (see e.g WO 2010/043598 A1 ), which cause a targeted heating of the pane by applying an electrical voltage. Electrical contact is made with the heating layer via busbars, which typically run along the upper and lower edges of the pane. The busbars collect the current flowing through the electric heating layer and direct it to external leads that are connected to a voltage source. The voltage applied to the electrical heating layer is usually controlled by external switches that are integrated in vehicles, for example, in a dashboard. Direct control of the heating layer on the respective glazing is desirable.

For example off DE10106125A1 , DE 10319606 A1 , EP 0720249 A2 , U.S. 2003/0112190 A1 and DE19843338C2 is known to use an electrically conductive layer as a planar antenna. For this purpose, the layer is galvanically or capacitively coupled to a coupling electrode and the antenna signal is made available in the edge area of the pane. The antenna signal decoupled from the planar antenna is fed to an antenna amplifier, which is connected to the metal bodywork in motor vehicles, as a result of which a reference potential that is effective for high-frequency technology is specified for the antenna signal.

It is also known to form sensor buttons by means of a line or surface electrode or by an arrangement of two coupled electrodes, for example as capacitive sensor buttons. Examples can be found in U.S. 2007/0194216 A1 . If an object approaches the sensor button, the capacitance of the surface electrode to ground or the capacitance of the capacitor formed by the two coupled electrodes changes. The change in capacitance is measured using a circuit arrangement or sensor electronics and a switching signal is triggered when a threshold value is exceeded. Circuit arrangements for capacitive switches are, for example, from DE 20 2006 006 192 U1 , EP 0 899 882 A1 , US 6,452,514 B1 and EP 1515211 A1 known.

Surface electrodes for sensor buttons can be integrated into a glazing without additional components. It is known to form the sensor button itself by means of dividing lines in the functional layer to be controlled. For example disclosed WO 2015/162107 an electric heating layer with an integrated sensor button to control it.

If a sensor button is formed in a functional layer, this usually requires cost-intensive decoating of the functional layer using a laser beam to introduce the structuring separating lines. In addition, the sensor button is restricted to the design of the functional layer. In particular, the sensor button must necessarily be formed on the same side of the pane as the functional layer.

In general, it would be desirable to have a sensor button on the glazing, even if the glazing does not have a functional layer, to control a functional element that is not on the glazing.

In contrast, the object of the present invention is to provide an improved glazing with a sensor button, with which these disadvantages can be avoided. The glazing should be simple and inexpensive to produce in industrial series production.

According to the proposal of the invention, these and other objects are achieved by a glazing with a sensor button according to the independent claim. Advantageous configuration Gene of the invention result from the dependent claims.

According to the invention, glazing is shown which serves to separate an interior space from an external environment. The glazing comprises at least one pane. The glazing can in principle be of any design, in particular as insulating glazing, in which at least two panes are arranged at a distance from one another by at least one spacer, as thermally toughened single-pane safety glass or as a laminated pane.

The glazing according to the invention is preferably designed as a composite pane and comprises a first pane with an outside and inside and a second pane with an inside and outside, which are firmly connected to one another by at least one thermoplastic intermediate layer (adhesive layer). The first pane can also be referred to as the outer pane, the second pane as the inner pane. The surfaces or sides of the two individual panes are usually referred to as side I, side II, side III and side IV from the outside to the inside.

The glazing according to the invention has one or more masking strips in an edge region which typically borders on the edge of the pane. The at least one masking strip is a coating of one or more layers and is used to mask a structure that is otherwise recognizable through the pane in the installed state. Particularly in the case of glazing for a vehicle, the at least one masking strip is used to mask an adhesive bead for gluing the glazing into a vehicle body, i.e. it prevents the outside view of the adhesive bead, which is usually applied irregularly, so that a harmonious overall impression of the glazing is created. On the other hand, the at least one masking strip serves as UV protection for the adhesive material used. Continuous exposure to UV light damages the adhesive material and would loosen the connection between the pane and the vehicle body over time.

The present invention is based on the finding that an electrical sensor button can be formed in the at least one masking strip if the masking strip contains an electrically conductive material. For this purpose, the at least one masking strip contains an electrically conductive material, in contrast to conventional masking strips, which generally consist of an electrically non-conductive material. In addition, the at least one masking strip has at least one separating line, through which at least one electrical sensor button is formed in the masking strip. The masking strip is electrically subdivided into the switching area and a surrounding area by the at least one separating line.

In this way, an electrical sensor button can be provided in a simple manner and independently of the presence or absence of an electrical functional layer. In particular, it is not necessary to form the sensor button on the same side of the pane as an electrical functional layer. It is therefore not necessary for the glazing to have an electrical functional layer at all. Furthermore, the at least one separating line does not have to be introduced into the masking strip by a laser beam, but can be formed by inexpensive mechanical or chemical removal. This is another great advantage of the invention.

The at least one masking strip comprises a colored, preferably black, colored material, which can preferably be burned into the pane. According to the invention, the at least one masking strip is opaque in order to serve in particular as visual and UV protection, for example for an adhesive bead. In the case of panes with an electrically controllable functional layer, the masking strip can also be used, for example, to cover busbars and/or connection elements.

The at least one masking strip is preferably applied to the pane using a printing process, in particular a screen printing process. The printing ink is printed onto the pane and then dried or baked at up to 700 °C, for example. The ink is preferably permanently lightfast, solvent and abrasion resistant. The at least one masking strip can, in particular, merge into dots of different sizes. These so-called screen-printed dots are intended to break up the optically massive impression of the black screen-printed edge.

The at least one masking strip can also be referred to as a black print or cover print. Alternatively, it can also be designed as a silver print and thus differs from the black print in the material used (mainly silver), with the processing technique being identical to the black print.

The material of the masking strip can also be applied to the pane using other common application methods such as brushing, rolling, spraying and the like and then preferably baked.

According to the invention, it is essential that the at least one masking strip contains an electrically conductive material, so that at least one electrical sensor button can be formed by structuring the masking strip using at least one separating line.

According to one embodiment of the glazing, the masking strip containing the electrically conductive material consists of a single layer of an electrically conductive material. This has the advantage of a particularly simple and cost-effective manufacture of the glazing, since only a single layer has to be formed for the masking strip. For example, the masking strip contains an electrically non-conductive material conventionally used for a masking strip, to which an electrically conductive material is added, preferably at least one metal, for example silver, gold, copper, nickel and/or chromium or a metal alloy.

For example, the masking strip consists of a printed and burned-in electrically conductive paste, preferably a silver-containing screen printing paste. An advantageous printed masking strip has, for example, a thickness of 3 μm to 20 μm and/or a surface resistance of 0.001 ohm/square to 0.03 ohm/square, preferably 0.002 ohm/square to 0.018 ohm/square. Such masking strips are easy to integrate in the industrial manufacturing process and can be produced inexpensively.

According to an alternative embodiment of the glazing, the masking strip containing the electrically conductive material has a plurality of layers, in particular a layer made of an electrically non-conductive material and a preferably immediately adjacent layer made of an electrically conductive material. In particular, the masking strip can also consist of these two layers. For example, the masking strip includes a layer of electrically non-conductive material conventionally used for a masking strip, and a layer of electrically conductive material, which is preferably applied to the layer of electrically non-conductive material. Preferably, the layer of electrically conductive material is a transparent layer, so that the opacity of the masking strip and hence its appearance is determined by the layer of electrically non-conductive material. The layer of an electrically conductive material preferably contains or consists of at least one metal, for example silver, gold, copper, nickel and/or chromium, or a metal alloy and preferably contains at least 90% by weight of the metal, in particular at least 99.9% by weight. -% of the metal. The thickness of the individual layer containing an electrically conductive material is preferably from 5 nm to 50 nm, particularly preferably from 8 nm to 25 nm. Such layers have particularly advantageous electrical conductivity combined with high transmission in the visible spectral range. The layer made of an electrically conductive material can in particular be designed like a transparent functional layer of the glazing, reference being made in this regard to the later statements on the functional layer.

The masking strip containing the electrically conductive material can in principle be applied to either side of the pane. In the case of a composite pane, this is preferably applied to the inside (side II) of the first pane or to the inside (side III) of the second pane, where it is protected from external influences. It is particularly preferably applied to the inside (side III) of the second pane, so that the sensor button can be easily switched from the inside of the composite pane.

According to a further embodiment of the glazing, at least one (further) masking strip made of an electrically non-conductive material is provided. This masking strip is on a different side of the pane than the masking strip of electrically conductive material in which the sensor button is formed.

For example, the masking strip made of an electrically non-conductive material is arranged on the inside outside, in the case of a composite pane, side IV of the second pane, and preferably has ceramic particles added to it, which give the masking strip a rough and adhesive surface, which makes it easier to glue the glazing supported in the vehicle body.

The masking strip made of an electrically non-conductive material is preferably arranged further outwards than the masking strip made of an electrically conductive material (in the case of a laminated pane, the masking strip made of an electrically non-conductive material is preferably on side II, the masking strip made of an electrically conductive material is preferably located on page III), so that the masking strip made of an electrically non-conductive material forms a kind of visual protection for the masking strip made of an electrically conductive material in which the sensor button is formed.

According to a further embodiment of the glazing, it has a mask containing an electrically conductive material on one side tion strip on a shielding strip (ie layer) of an electrically conductive material for electrically shielding the masking strip containing the electrically conductive material. In a vertical view through the glazing, the shielding strip at least partially, in particular completely, covers the masking strip containing the electrically conductive material, with the thermoplastic intermediate layer preferably being located between the shielding strip and the masking strip containing the electrically conductive material in a laminated pane.

The shielding strip preferably contains or consists of at least one metal, for example silver, gold, copper, nickel and/or chromium, or a metal alloy and preferably contains at least 90% by weight of the metal, in particular at least 99.9% by weight of the metal. The sensor button can be shielded from electrical interference signals by the shielding strip. The sensor button is switched on one side, i.e. switching side, (e.g. inside of the glazing), it being understood that the shielding strip is arranged on the opposite side of the sensor button from the switching side, so that the switching process is not affected by the shielding strip. Preferably, but not necessarily, the shielding strip is connected to a ground connection.

According to the invention, a sensor button area is formed by at least one separating line in the masking strip containing an electrically conductive material. In this case, the masking strip is electrically subdivided into a sensor button area and a surrounding area. The masking strip preferably has at least one further dividing line, by means of which a surrounding area separated from the rest of the masking strip (which does not contain the sensor button) is electrically subdivided. The further dividing line preferably borders the sensor button at least partially and in particular completely. This measure allows the surrounding area to be formed in a targeted manner. In particular, an electrical short circuit with the rest of the masking strip can be prevented.

The at least one pane preferably contains or consists of glass, particularly preferably flat glass, float glass, quartz glass, borosilicate glass, soda-lime glass, or clear plastics, preferably rigid clear plastics, in particular polyethylene, polypropylene, polycarbonate, polymethyl methacrylate, polystyrene, polyamide, polyester , polyvinyl chloride and/or mixtures thereof. Suitable glasses are, for example, from EP 0 847 965 B1 known.

The thickness of the at least one pane can vary widely and can be adapted to the requirements of the individual case. Discs with standard thicknesses of 1.0 mm to 25 mm and preferably 1.4 mm to 2.1 mm are preferably used. The size of the discs can vary widely and depends on the use.

The glazing can have any three-dimensional shape. The at least one pane preferably has no shadow zones, so that it can be coated by cathode sputtering, for example. The at least one pane is preferably planar or slightly or strongly curved in one or more directions of space. The at least one disk can be colorless or colored.

The thermoplastic intermediate layer contains or consists of at least one thermoplastic, preferably polyvinyl butyral (PVB), ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA) and/or polyethylene terephthalate (PET). However, the thermoplastic intermediate layer can also be, for example, polyurethane (PU), polypropylene (PP), polyacrylate, polyethylene (PE), polycarbonate (PC), polymethyl methacrylate, polyvinyl chloride, polyacetate resin, cast resin, acrylate, fluorinated ethylene propylene, polyvinyl fluoride and/or ethylene Tetrafluoroethylene, or a copolymer or mixture thereof. The thermoplastic intermediate layer can be formed by one or more thermoplastic films arranged one on top of the other, the thickness of a thermoplastic film preferably being from 0.25 mm to 1 mm, typically 0.38 mm or 0.76 mm.

According to one embodiment, the glazing according to the invention has at least one large-area, electrically conductive layer (functional layer). The functional layer is arranged on a surface of at least one pane and covers or covers the surface of the pane partially, but preferably over a large area. The term “large area” means that at least 50%, at least 60%, at least 70%, at least 75% or preferably at least 90% of the surface of the pane is covered (e.g. coated) by the functional layer. However, the functional layer can also extend over smaller portions of the surface of the pane. The functional layer is preferably transparent to visible light. In an advantageous embodiment, the functional layer is an individual layer or a layer structure made up of several individual layers with a total thickness of less than or equal to 2 μm, particularly preferably less than or equal to 1 μm.

In the context of the present invention, “transparent” means that the total transmission of the glazing complies with the legal provisions for wind corresponds to protective panes and front side windows and preferably has a transmittance of more than 70% and in particular more than 75% for visible light. For rear side windows and rear windows, "transparent" can also mean 10% to 70% light transmission. Correspondingly, “opaque” means a light transmission of less than 15%, preferably less than 5%, in particular 0%.

The glazing has, for example, a peripheral edge with a width of 2 mm to 50 mm, preferably 5 mm to 20 mm, which is not provided with the functional layer. The functional layer advantageously has no contact with the atmosphere and is protected from damage and corrosion by the thermoplastic intermediate layer, for example, inside a laminated pane.

For example, the transparent, electrically conductive functional layer contains at least one metal, preferably silver, nickel, chromium, niobium, tin, titanium, copper, palladium, zinc, gold, cadmium, aluminum, silicon, tungsten or alloys thereof, and/or at least one metal oxide layer , preferably tin-doped indium oxide (ITO), aluminum-doped zinc oxide (AZO), fluorine-doped tin oxide (FTO, SnO2:F) or antimony-doped tin oxide (ATO, SnO2:Sb). Transparent, electrically conductive layers are made, for example DE 20 2008 017 611 U1 and EP 0 847 965 B1 known. They consist, for example, of a metal layer such as a silver layer or a layer of a metal alloy containing silver. Typical silver layers preferably have thicknesses of 5 nm to 15 nm, more preferably 8 nm to 12 nm. The metal layer may be sandwiched between at least two layers of metal oxide type dielectric material. The metal oxide preferably includes zinc oxide, tin oxide, indium oxide, titanium oxide, silicon oxide, aluminum oxide, or the like, and combinations of one or more thereof. The dielectric material may also include silicon nitride, silicon carbide, aluminum nitride, and combinations of one or more thereof. The layer structure is generally obtained by a sequence of deposition processes performed by a vacuum process such as magnetic field assisted cathode sputtering or by chemical vapor deposition (CVD). Very fine metal layers, which in particular contain titanium or niobium, can also be provided on both sides of the silver layer. The lower metal layer serves as an adhesion and crystallization layer. The upper metal layer serves as a protective and getter layer to prevent the silver from changing during further processing steps.

Transparent, electrically conductive layers preferably have a sheet resistance of from 0.1 ohms/square to 200 ohms/square, more preferably from 1 ohms/square to 50 ohms/square and most preferably from 1 ohms/square to 10 ohms/square.

For example, the functional layer is a layer with a sun protection effect. Such a layer with a sun protection effect has reflecting properties in the infrared range and thus in the range of solar radiation, which advantageously reduces the heating of the interior of a building or motor vehicle as a result of solar radiation. Layers with a sun protection effect are well known to the person skilled in the art and typically contain at least one metal, in particular silver or a silver-containing alloy. The layer with a sun protection effect can comprise a sequence of several individual layers, in particular at least one metallic layer and dielectric layers, which contain at least one metal oxide, for example. The metal oxide preferably includes zinc oxide, tin oxide, indium oxide, titanium oxide, silicon oxide, aluminum oxide, or the like, and combinations of one or more thereof. The dielectric material contains silicon nitride, silicon carbide or aluminum nitride, for example. Layers with a sun protection effect are known, for example, from DE 10 2009 006 062 A1 , WO 2007/101964 A1 , EP 0 912 455 B1 , DE 199 27 683 C1 , EP 1 218 307 B1 and EP 1 917 222 B1 .

The thickness of a layer with a sun protection effect can vary widely and be adapted to the requirements of the individual case, with a layer thickness of 10 nm to 5 μm and in particular from 30 nm to 1 μm being preferred. The surface resistance of a layer with a sun protection effect is preferably from 0.35 ohms/square to 200 ohms/square, preferably from 0.5 ohms/square to 200 ohms/square, very particularly preferably from 0.6 ohms/square to 30 ohms/square, and particularly from 2 ohms/square to 20 ohms/square. The layer with a sun protection effect has, for example, good infrared-reflecting properties and/or particularly low emissivities (Low-E).

The functional layer can also be an electrically heatable layer, for example, which provides the glazing with a heating function. Such heatable layers are known per se to those skilled in the art. They typically contain one or more, for example two, three or four, electrically conductive layers. These layers preferably contain or consist of at least one metal, for example silver, gold, copper, nickel and/or chromium, or one Metal alloy and preferably contain at least 90% by weight of the metal, in particular at least 99.9% by weight of the metal. Such layers have a particularly advantageous electrical conductivity combined with high transmission in the visible spectral range. The thickness of an individual layer is preferably from 5 nm to 50 nm, particularly preferably from 8 nm to 25 nm. With such a thickness, an advantageously high transmission in the visible spectral range and a particularly advantageous electrical conductivity are achieved.

The electrically heatable functional layer is electrically connected to at least two busbars, through which a heating current can be fed into the functional layer. The busbars are preferably arranged in the edge area of the electrically conductive layer along a side edge on the electrically conductive layer. The length of the bus bar is typically substantially the same as the length of the side edge of the electrically conductive layer, but can also be slightly larger or smaller. Two busbars are preferably arranged on the electrically conductive layer, in the edge area along two opposite side edges of the electrically conductive layer. The width of the bus bar is preferably from 2 mm to 30 mm, particularly preferably from 4 mm to 20 mm. The busbars are each typically in the form of a strip, the longer of its dimensions being referred to as length and the shorter of its dimensions being referred to as width.

Busbars are designed, for example, as a printed and burned-in conductive structure. The printed bus bar contains at least one metal, preferably silver. The electrical conductivity is preferably realized via metal particles contained in the busbar, particularly preferably via silver particles. The metal particles can be in an organic and/or inorganic matrix such as pastes or inks, preferably as a fired screen printing paste with glass frits. The layer thickness of the printed busbar is preferably from 5 μm to 40 μm, particularly preferably from 8 μm to 20 μm and very particularly preferably from 10 μm to 15 μm. Printed busbars with these thicknesses are technically easy to implement and have an advantageous current-carrying capacity. Alternatively, the bus bar can also be designed as a strip of an electrically conductive foil. The busbar then contains, for example, at least aluminum, copper, tinned copper, gold, silver, zinc, tungsten and/or tin or alloys thereof. The strip preferably has a thickness of 10 μm to 500 μm, particularly preferably 30 μm to 300 μm. Busbars made of electrically conductive foils with these thicknesses are technically easy to implement and have an advantageous current-carrying capacity. The strip can be electrically conductively connected to the electrically conductive structure, for example via a soldering compound, via an electrically conductive adhesive or by direct application.

Electrically switchable or controllable functional layers are, for example, SPD (suspended particle device), PDLC (polymer dispersed liquid crystal), electrochromic or electroluminescent functional elements and are known per se to the person skilled in the art. The electrically conductive functional layer can also be a polymeric, electrically conductive layer, for example containing at least one conjugated polymer or a polymer provided with conductive particles.

The functional layer or a carrier film with the functional layer can be arranged on a surface of an individual pane. In the case of a composite pane made of two panes, a preferably transparent functional layer is located on an inner surface of one pane and/or the other pane. Alternatively, the functional coating can be embedded between two thermoplastic intermediate layers. The functional layer is then preferably applied to a carrier film or carrier disc. The carrier film or carrier disc preferably contains a polymer, in particular polyvinyl butyral (PVB), ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA), polyurethane (PU), polyethylene terephthalate (PET) or combinations thereof.

The sensor button area of the masking strip containing an electrically conductive material and the functional layer can be arranged on the same side (i.e. pane surface) or on different sides of the glazing.

According to an alternative embodiment, the glazing according to the invention does not have a large-area, electrically conductive layer (functional layer).

If the glazing is designed as a composite pane, it is preferred if the sensor button area and, if applicable, the surrounding area or optionally the shielding strip are contacted by a flat conductor. The flat conductor is preferably designed as a strip conductor and in particular as a coplanar strip conductor whose signal line is electrically conductively coupled to the sensor button and whose shielding (ground line) is electrically conductively coupled to the surrounding area or optionally shielding strips. In this context, electrically conductively coupled preferably means electrically connected. The signal line and the ground line can also be designed as separate flat conductors. A strip conductor is preferred as a foil conductor, in particular a flexible foil conductor (Ribbon conductor) trained. A foil conductor is understood to mean an electrical conductor whose width is significantly greater than its thickness. Such a foil conductor is, for example, a strip or band containing or consisting of copper, tinned copper, aluminum, silver, gold or alloys thereof. The foil conductor has, for example, a width of 2 mm to 16 mm and a thickness of 0.03 mm to 0.1 mm. The foil conductor can have an insulating, preferably polymeric, sheathing, for example based on polyimide. Foil conductors suitable according to the invention only have a total thickness of, for example, 0.3 mm. Such thin foil conductors can be arranged without difficulty between the panes of a composite pane.

The at least one masking strip is arranged at the edge of the glazing and has, for example, a width of less than 20 cm, preferably less than 10 cm.

Each dividing line preferably has a width of 30 μm to 200 μm and in particular of 70 μm to 140 μm, so that the dividing lines are practically imperceptible optically.

Preferably, the electrical sensor button is a capacitive sensor button.

The glazing can have a marking/identification of the sensor button preferably on the inside.

The invention also extends to a glazing arrangement which comprises glazing according to the invention and sensor electronics, in particular capacitive sensor electronics, which are electrically connected to the sensor button area.

The sensor electronics preferably measure the capacitance of the sensor button area of the masking strip to ground or the capacitance of two or more areas of the masking strip (alternatively sensor button area and shielding strip) to one another. If a change in capacitance is detected, the sensor electronics emit a control signal, for example to control the coloring of an electrochromic layer system, by outputting a suitable control voltage to the electrochromic layer system. The voltage values are selected, for example, such that the electrochromic layer system assumes its colorless state with maximum transparency for visible light at one voltage value and the electrochromic layer system assumes its maximum coloring and minimum transparency at a different voltage value.

For example, sensor electronics for a capacitive sensor button are off DE 20 2005 010 379 U1 known. In a simple implementation, the capacitance of the sensor button is measured by a capacitance/voltage converter. The sensor button is charged to a predetermined voltage by the sensor electronics. The current flow required for charging is measured and converted into a voltage signal. The sensor button is then discharged and recharged to the specified voltage. A change in the capacitance of the sensor button can be measured by the change in the voltage signal. The capacitance of the sensor button to ground changes when a grounded body, such as a human, comes near or touches it. Alternatively, the sensor button can contain two areas and the capacitance between both areas can be measured.

A change in capacitance can also be detected by a non-oscillating oscillator, which is caused to oscillate by the change in capacitance. Alternatively, an oscillating oscillator can be damped so much that its oscillation breaks off. A sensor electronics with oscillator is off EP 0 899 882 A1 known.

The various configurations of the invention can be implemented individually or in any combination. In particular, the features mentioned above and to be explained below can be used not only in the specified combinations, but also in other combinations or on their own, without departing from the scope of the present invention.

• 1 eine Querschnittansicht eines Ausführungsbeispiels der erfindungsgemäßen Verglasung, die in Form einer Verbundscheibe ausgebildet ist,
• 2 eine Querschnittansicht einer Variante der Ausgestaltung von 1,
• 3 eine Aufsicht auf einen Maskierungsstreifen im Bereich der Sensorschaltfläche,
• 4 eine Aufsicht auf die Verglasung von 1 oder 2,
• 5 ein Ablaufdiagramm zur Veranschaulichung des Verfahrens.

The invention is explained in more detail below using exemplary embodiments, reference being made to the attached figures. They show in a simplified representation that is not true to scale:

• 1 a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of the glazing according to the invention, which is designed in the form of a composite pane,
• 2 a cross-sectional view of a variant of the embodiment of FIG 1 ,
• 3 a top view of a masking strip in the area of the sensor button,
• 4 a top view of the glazing of 1 or 2 ,
• 5 a flowchart to illustrate the process.

First be the 1 and 4 considered. 1 Figure 12 shows a cross-sectional view of an off exemplary embodiment of the glazing 1 according to the invention in a simplified, schematic representation. A plan view of glazing 1 is in 4 shown. The cross-sectional view of 1 corresponds to the cutting line AA in the edge area of glazing 1, as in 4 is indicated.

The glazing 1 is in the form of a composite pane and comprises a first pane 2 (e.g. outer pane) and a second pane 3 (e.g. inner pane), which are firmly connected to one another by a thermoplastic intermediate layer 4 . The glazing 1 can be installed in a building or automobile and separates an interior space from an exterior environment. For example, the glazing is the windshield of a motor vehicle. Alternatively, the glazing has only one single pane, preferably in the form of thermally toughened single-pane safety glass (not shown).

The first pane 2 and the second pane 3 are each made of glass, preferably thermally toughened soda-lime glass, and are transparent to visible light. The thermoplastic intermediate layer 4 consists of a thermoplastic material, preferably polyvinyl butyral (PVB), ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA) and/or polyethylene terephthalate (PET).

The outer surface I of the first pane 2 faces the outside environment and is at the same time the outer surface of the glazing 1. The inner surface II of the first pane 2 and the outer surface III of the second pane 3 each face the intermediate layer 4. The inner surface IV of the second pane 3 faces the building or vehicle interior and is at the same time the inner surface of the glazing 1. It goes without saying that the glazing 1 can have any suitable geometric shape and/or curvature. As a windshield, the glazing 1 typically has a convex curvature.

In the edge region of the glazing 1, on the inside (side III) of the second pane 3, i.e. on the side of the intermediate layer 4 facing the second pane 3, there is a first masking strip 5 that runs around in the form of a frame. The first masking strip 5 is opaque and prevents the view of Structures arranged on the inside of the glazing 1, for example an adhesive bead for gluing the glazing 1 into a vehicle body.

The first masking strip 5 contains an electrically conductive material and is therefore electrically conductive. In the present exemplary embodiment, the first masking strip 5 consists of two layers, namely a first layer 7 made from an electrically non-conductive material and a second layer 8 made from an electrically conductive material 8 which is arranged on the first layer 7 .

The first layer 7 of an electrically non-conductive material consists of an electrically non-conductive material conventionally used for masking strips, for example a black colored screen printing ink which is baked. The second layer 8 consists of an electrically conductive material and is preferably transparent. The second layer 8 made of an electrically conductive material preferably contains or consists of at least one metal, for example silver, gold, copper, nickel and/or chromium, or a metal alloy and preferably contains at least 90% by weight of the metal, in particular at least 99.9% % by weight of the metal. The thickness of the second layer 8 containing an electrically conductive material is preferably from 5 nm to 50 nm, particularly preferably from 8 nm to 25 nm.

In the first masking strip 5, a sensor button 9 is formed, which in connection with 3 is explained in more detail.

Furthermore, the glazing 1 has a second masking strip 6 made of an electrically non-conductive material. The second masking strip 6 is designed in the form of a frame all the way around and completely covers the first masking strip 5 in a vertical view through the glazing 1 . Like the first layer 7 of an electrically non-conductive material of the first masking strip 5, the second masking strip 6 consists of an electrically non-conductive material conventionally used for masking strips, for example a black colored screen printing ink which is baked.

Furthermore, the glazing 1 has a shielding strip 10 (layer) made of an electrically conductive material. The shielding strip 10 is designed in the shape of a frame and completely covers the first masking strip 5 in a vertical view through the glazing 1 . The shielding strip 10 contains or consists of at least one metal, for example silver, gold, copper, nickel and/or chromium, or a metal alloy and preferably contains at least 90% by weight of the metal, in particular at least 99.9% by weight of the metal. The sensor button 9 is shielded from electrical interference signals by the shielding strip 10 .

in the in 2 shown variant of the glazing 1, which differs only in the configuration of the first masking strip 5 of the variant of 1 differs, there is the first masking strips 5' made of an electrically conductive single layer.

For example, the first masking strip 5' contains an electrically non-conductive material conventionally used for masking strips, to which an electrically conductive material is added, preferably at least one metal, for example silver, gold, copper, nickel and/or chromium or a metal alloy. For example, the first masking strip 5' consists of a printed and burned-in electrically conductive paste, preferably a silver-containing screen printing paste.

As in the 3 and 4 illustrated, the first masking strip 5, 5' is structured by two dividing lines 11, 11'. The first masking strip 5 is electrically subdivided into the sensor button area 9 and a surrounding area 12 by a first dividing line 11 . The surrounding area 12 is electrically subdivided by a second separating line 11' from the rest of the first masking strip 5, 5'. The two separating lines 11, 11' have a width of 100 μm, for example, and are introduced into the first masking strips 5, 5', for example by laser structuring, but preferably by mechanical or etching removal. Separating lines 11, 11' with such a small width are hardly perceptible optically.

The sensor button 9 includes a touch area 13 which is circular here, for example, and merges into a feed area 14 . The width of the touch area 13 is 40 mm, for example. The width of the lead area 14 is 1 mm, for example. The supply line area 14 is electrically conductively connected to capacitive sensor electronics 15 via a film conductor (not shown). The foil conductor consists, for example, of a 50 μm thick copper foil and is insulated, for example, with a polyimide layer outside the feed line area 14 .

The sensor button 9 is a capacitive sensor button here. A capacitive sensor electronics 15 measures changes in the capacitance of the sensor button 9 relative to "earth" and, depending on a threshold value, forwards a switching signal, for example to the CAN bus of a vehicle. Any functions in the vehicle can be switched via the switching signal.

When a human body part, here a finger, approaches or touches the sensor button 9, a switching process can be triggered. As in the 1 and 2 illustrated, the sensor button 9 is designed for a switching operation on the inside of the glazing 1 . The reference signal for the change in capacitance is tapped off from the surrounding area 12, for example. As in the 1 and 2 illustrated, it could equally be tapped from the shielding strip 10.

The shielding strip 10 can shield electrical interference signals which can trigger an undesirable change in capacitance on the sensor button 9 . For this purpose, the shielding strip 10 can also be connected to ground potential.

5 illustrates the process using a flow chart. In a first step I, at least one masking strip 5, 5' is applied in an edge region 5 of the at least one pane 2, 3. In a second step, at least one dividing line 11, 11' is introduced into the masking strip 5, 5' containing the electrically conductive material, as a result of which the masking strip 5, 5' is electrically divided into a sensor button area 9 and a surrounding area 12, in particular by mechanical or chemical means removal.

It can be seen from the above that the invention provides an improved glazing with a sensor button, in which case the switching process can be triggered on the glazing itself compared to external switches or buttons according to the prior art. A large functional coating of the glazing is not necessary. The sensor button 9 can be freely positioned within the masking strip. The glazing according to the invention can be produced simply and inexpensively using known production processes.

1

Verglasung

2

erste Scheibe

3

zweite Scheibe

4

Zwischenschicht

5, 5'

erster Maskierungsstreifen

6

zweiter Maskierungsstreifen

7

erste Schicht aus elektrisch nicht-leitfähigem Material

8

zweite Schicht aus elektrisch leitfähigem Material

9

Sensorschaltfläche

10

Abschirmstreifen

11,11'

Trennlinie

12

Umgebungsbereich

13

Berührungsbereich

14

Zuleitungsbereich

15

Sensorelektronik

16

Randbereich

100

Verglasungsanordnung

I

Außenseite der ersten Scheibe 2

II

Innenseite der ersten Scheibe 2

III

Innenseite der zweiten Scheibe 3

IV

Außenseite der zweiten Scheibe 3

A-A

Schnittlinie

Show it:

1

glazing

2

first slice

3

second disc

4

intermediate layer

5, 5'

first masking strip

6

second masking strip

7

first layer of electrically non-conductive material

8th

second layer of electrically conductive material

9

sensor button

10

shielding strips

11,11'

parting line

12

surrounding area

13

touch area

14

supply area

15

sensor electronics

16

edge area

100

glazing arrangement

I

Outside of the first pane 2

II

Inside of the first pane 2

III

Inside of the second pane 3

IV

Outside of the second pane 3

aa

cutting line

QUOTES INCLUDED IN DESCRIPTION

This list of documents cited by the applicant was generated automatically and is included solely for the better information of the reader. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions.

Patent Literature Cited

• EP 0867752 A1 [0003]
• US 2007/0097481 A1 [0003]
• US 2008/0169185 A1 [0003]
• WO 2010/043598 A1 [0004]
• DE 10106125 A1 [0005]
• DE 10319606 A1 [0005]
• EP 0720249 A2 [0005]
• US 2003/0112190 A1 [0005]
• DE 19843338 C2 [0005]
• US 2007/0194216 A1 [0006]
• DE 202006006192 U1 [0006]
• EP 0899882 A1 [0006, 0058]
• US6452514B1 [0006]
• EP 1515211 A1 [0006]
• WO 2015/162107 [0007]
• EP 0847965 B1 [0032, 0039]
• DE 202008017611 U1 [0039]
• DE 102009006062 A1 [0041]
• WO 2007/101964 A1 [0041]
• EP 0912455 B1 [0041]
• DE 19927683 C1 [0041]
• EP 1218307 B1 [0041]
• EP 1917222 B1 [0041]
• DE 202005010379 U1 [0057]

Claims (13)

Glazing (1), with at least one pane (2, 3) and at least one opaque masking strip (5, 5') for masking a structure in an edge region (16) of the pane (2, 3) that is otherwise recognizable through the pane when installed. , wherein the masking strip (5, 5') contains an electrically conductive material and has at least one separating line (11, 11') through which at least one electrical sensor button (9) is formed in the masking strip (5, 5'). Glazing (1) after claim 1 , wherein the masking strip (5') containing the electrically conductive material consists of a single layer of an electrically conductive material. Glazing (1) after claim 1 , wherein the masking strip (5) containing the electrically conductive material has a first layer (7) made of an electrically non-conductive material and a second layer (8) made of an electrically conductive material. Glazing (1) according to one of Claims 1 until 3 Having at least one masking strip (6) made of an electrically non-conductive material. Glazing (1) according to one of Claims 1 until 4 , which is designed in the form of a composite pane and a first pane (2) with an outside (I) and inside (II) and a second pane (3) with an inside (III) and outside (IV), which is covered by at least one thermoplastic intermediate layer ( 4) are firmly connected, includes. Glazing (1) after claim 5 , in which the masking strip (5, 5') containing the electrically conductive material is applied to the inside (II) of the first pane (2) or to the inside (III) of the second pane (3). Glazing (1) according to one of Claims 4 until 6 , in which the masking strip (5, 5') made of an electrically non-conductive material is applied to the inside (II) of the first pane (2) or to the inside (III) of the second pane (3). Glazing (1) according to one of Claims 1 until 7 which has a shielding strip (10) made of an electrically conductive material on one side of the masking strip (5, 5') containing an electrically conductive material, the shielding strips (10) being at least partially, in particular completely, visible through the glazing (1) when viewed vertically , covering the masking strip (5, 5') containing the electrically conductive material. Glazing (1) according to one of Claims 1 until 8th , in which the at least one masking strip (5, 5 ', 6) is formed circumferentially in the shape of a frame. Glazing (1) according to one of Claims 1 until 9 , in which the at least one electrical sensor button (9) is a capacitive sensor button. Glazing (1) according to one of Claims 1 until 10 , in which at least one further dividing line (11') is formed in the masking strip (5, 5') containing the electrically conductive material, the further dividing line (11') at least partially and in particular completely encircling the sensor button area (9). Glazing (1) according to one of Claims 1 until 11 , in which each dividing line (11, 11 ') has a width of 30 microns to 200 microns and in particular from 70 microns to 140 microns. A glazing assembly (100) comprising: - a glazing (1) according to any one of Claims 10 until 12 - Sensor electronics (15), in particular capacitive sensor electronics, which is electrically connected to the sensor button (9).

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