WO2023161070A1 - Method for producing a curved pane which is de-coated in some regions - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for producing a curved pane (1) which is de-coated in some regions and which has a first surface (1.1), a second surface (1.2), an upper pane edge (O), a lower pane edge (U), and two lateral pane edges (S). In a first step (S1), a flat base pane (2) with a first surface (2.1) and a second surface (2.2) is provided, a transparent coating (3) being arranged over the entire surface area of the first surface (2.1); in a subsequent second step (S2), the coating (3) is removed in at least one first sub-region (4) by means of mechanical abrasion; in a subsequent third step (S3), the flat base pane (2) is curved in order to form a curved base pane (5); and in a subsequent fourth step (S4), the coating (3) is removed in at least one second sub-region (6) by means of laser ablation.

Description

PROCESS FOR MANUFACTURING A PARTIALLY DECOATED

CURVED DISC

The invention relates to a method for producing a partially decoated curved pane, such a partially decoated curved pane, a method for manufacturing a partially decoated curved composite pane, such a partially decoated curved composite pane and the use of such a pane or composite pane.

Vehicles, airplanes, helicopters and ships are often equipped with various sensors or camera systems. Examples are camera systems such as video cameras, night vision cameras, residual light intensifiers, laser range finders or passive infrared detectors. Vehicle identification systems are also increasingly being used, for example, for collecting tolls.

In addition, modern vehicle glazing increasingly has all-round and full-surface electrically conductive coatings that are transparent to visible light. These transparent, electrically conductive coatings protect, for example, interior spaces from overheating from sunlight or from cooling down by reflecting incident thermal radiation, as is known from EP 378917 A. Transparent, electrically conductive coatings can also bring about targeted heating of the pane by applying an electrical voltage, as is known from WO 2010/043598 A1.

What the transparent, electrically conductive coatings have in common is that they are also impermeable to electromagnetic radiation in the high-frequency range. If a vehicle is fully glazed on all sides with transparent, electrically conductive coatings, it is no longer possible to send and receive electromagnetic radiation in the interior. The functioning of many sensors, navigation, telecommunications or radio devices is significantly impaired as a result. The functioning of the camera system is also significantly impaired by the layer, since the signal strength of the transmitted light is reduced to such an extent by reflection on the layer that not enough light is transmitted through the layer overall, particularly when driving at night. In order to solve these problems, it is usually necessary to remove the coating from the pane at least over part of the surface. For the operation of sensors such as rain sensors, camera systems or stationary antennas, several locally limited areas of the electrically conductive, transparent coating are usually decoated. These stripped areas form a so-called communication window, data transmission window or camera window and are known, for example, from EP 1 605 729 A2. Windows with decoated areas are disclosed, for example, in EP 3 360735 B1, WO 2011/069901 A1 and EP 2 964 585 B1.

WO 2010/081589 A1 discloses transparent, planar antennas for the transmission and reception of electromagnetic waves, comprising at least one transparent, electrically insulating substrate, which has an electrically insulating, peripheral edge region on its surface, a transparent, electrically conductive coating that covers the surface of the substrate is covered over a large area except for the edge area and is formed by at least two flat segments that contain or consist of at least one electrically conductive material and are insulated from one another by at least one linear, electrically insulating area and at least one connection for galvanic, capacitive or inductive decoupling of the antenna signal from at least one flat segment. The antennas can be planar or more or less bent or curved in one direction or in several directions of space.

WO 2015/091016 A1 discloses a pane with an electrically conductive coating and that decoated structures can be introduced into the electrically conductive coating by laser structuring, by mechanical removal or by chemical or physical etching. Structures from which the coating has been removed can be introduced into the electrically conductive coating by laser structuring before or after the pane is bent.

EP 3 034 295 A1 discloses a composite pane with a functional coating, at least comprising a first pane with a surface III, a second pane with a surface II and a thermoplastic intermediate layer, the surface III of the first pane being connected to the surface II of the first pane by the thermoplastic intermediate layer second pane, at least one functional coating that is applied to at least part of the inner surface III of the first pane and at least one coating-free area that completely surrounds an inner area of the functional coating and the inner area of at least one outer one Area of the functional coating separates. The uncoated area can be created by a laser beam, a grinding wheel, or any other suitable tool. In addition, the laminated pane can have an uncoated zone serving as a communication, sensor or camera window.

Communication windows are preferably arranged in inconspicuous positions on the pane, for example in the area of the interior mirror of a windshield, and are covered by black prints and plastic screens.

The local removal of the coating of a pane to produce a curved pane that has been decoated in some areas can take place before or after the bending process.

Decoating areas of a flat disc before bending has the advantage that a mechanical grinding process can be used that can be carried out at high speed and at low cost. Such a method is particularly suitable for decoating relatively large areas. However, such a method has the disadvantage that it affects the subsequent bending process and can lead to a significant deterioration in the optical quality of the end product. During the bending process, the heat input into the pane in the coated areas differs from the heat input in the uncoated areas of a pane. In the case of reflective coatings in particular, the reflective layer in coated areas influences the heat input into the glass compared to uncoated areas. When bending, a temperature gradient occurs at the dividing line between coated and uncoated areas. In addition, a coating increases the bending resistance and thus has an influence on the radii of curvature when bending. Due to the influence of decoating before bending on the optical quality of the end product, decoating areas of a flat pane before bending is not suitable for optically sensitive areas of the end product, i.e. the curved pane with decoating in areas.

Due to the bending of the pane, mechanical grinding processes are unsuitable for decoating areas of a bent pane after bending. The area-wise decoating of a curved pane can be done by means of laser ablation. Such a laser process enables precise decoating of individual areas of a coated curved pane and has no influence on the optical quality of the end product. However, decoating an area using laser ablation is more time-consuming than decoating an area of the same size using mechanical abrasion. In the case of a pane that has been decoated in some areas, it can be seen whether the decoating was carried out in one area by means of mechanical abrasion or by means of a laser ablation process.

There is a need for improved manufacturing processes for curved panes that have been decoated in some areas, which can be carried out efficiently and enable high optical quality in sensitive areas such as camera windows. The object of the present invention is to provide such a method.

The object of the present invention is achieved according to the invention by a method according to claim 1. Preferred embodiments emerge from the dependent claims.

The method according to the invention is used to produce a curved pane that has been decoated in some areas and comprises at least the following method steps in the order given: a) providing a flat base pane with a first surface and a second surface, with a transparent coating being arranged over the entire surface of the first surface, b ) removing the transparent coating in at least a first partial area by means of mechanical abrasion, c) bending the flat base pane to form a curved base pane, d) removing the transparent coating in at least a second partial area by means of laser ablation.

The curved pane from which the coating has been removed in some areas has a first surface, a second surface, an upper pane edge and a lower pane edge and two lateral pane edges. The upper edge of the pane designates that side edge of the pane which is intended to point upwards in the installed position. The side edge that is intended to point downwards in the installation position is referred to as the lower edge of the pane.

The planar base has a first surface, a second surface, and a peripheral edge extending therebetween. In step b), the coating is removed in at least a first partial area by means of mechanical abrasion. In this case, the coating can be removed, for example, in exactly one first partial area. The coating is preferably removed in two or more first sub-areas, with the two or more first sub-areas being spatially separated from one another, ie the first sub-areas do not overlap when looking through the pane perpendicularly.

In step d), the coating is removed in at least a second partial area by means of laser ablation. In this case, the coating can be removed, for example, in exactly one second partial area. However, the coating can also be removed in two or more second partial areas, the two or more second partial areas being spatially separated from one another, i.e. the second partial areas do not overlap one another when looking through the pane perpendicularly.

It goes without saying that in the case of the curved pane with the coating removed in some areas, the at least one second sub-area is spatially separated from the at least one first sub-area, i.e. when looking through the pane perpendicularly, the at least one first sub-area and the at least one second sub-area do not overlap. However, the at least one first partial area and the at least one second partial area can be arranged directly adjacent to one another, so that no coated areas are arranged between individual sections of the at least one first partial area and individual sections of the at least one second partial area.

In terms of the process, however, the areas in which the tool for abrasive decoating of the at least one first partial area is guided can partially overlap with the areas in which a laser is guided for decoating the at least one second partial area. This overlap is due to the tolerances of the abrasive stripping tool and the laser. The partial overlap ensures that, if desired, no coated areas are arranged between individual sections of the at least one first partial area and individual sections of the at least one second partial area.

The transparent coating is for electromagnetic radiation, preferably electromagnetic radiation with a wavelength of 300 to 1300 nm, in particular for visible light, transmits but is reduced compared to clear glass. "Transparent" means that the overall transmission of the pane with the transparent coating corresponds to the legal provisions for windshields and front side windows and is preferably >70% and in particular >75% permeable for visible light. For rear side windows and rear windows, "transparent" can also mean 10% to 70% light transmission.

Those skilled in the art are familiar with suitable tools for decoating areas of the planar base pane in step b) by means of mechanical abrasion. The decoating by means of mechanical abrasion can be carried out, for example, by means of a grinding wheel, a rough roller, by means of sandblasting or a cutter. The decoating in step b) is preferably carried out in the at least one first area by means of a grinding wheel or a rough roller.

A carbon dioxide, YAG, Nd-YAG, ytterbium-YAG laser, holmium-YAG laser, erbium-YAG laser, neodymium Glass lasers, - excimer lasers, - fiber lasers, - disk lasers, - slab lasers or diode lasers can be used. The laser is preferably guided on the curved base plate at a speed of 0.100 m/s to 10 m/s. The laser preferably has a power of 1 W to 10 kW.

In a preferred embodiment of the method according to the invention, the transparent coating is an electrically conductive coating.

The transparent, electrically conductive coating is preferably a functional coating, particularly preferably a functional coating with a sun protection effect and/or a heatable coating. A coating with a sun protection effect has reflective properties in the infrared range and thus in the range of solar radiation. This advantageously reduces heating of the interior of a vehicle or building as a result of solar radiation. Such coatings are known to those skilled in the art and typically contain at least one metal, in particular silver or an alloy containing silver. The transparent, electrically conductive coating 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 contains zinc oxide, tin oxide, indium oxide, titanium oxide, silica, alumina, or the like, and combinations of one or more thereof. The dielectric material may also include silicon nitride, silicon carbide, or aluminum nitride.

This layered structure is generally obtained by a sequence of deposition operations carried out by a vacuum process such as magnetic field assisted sputtering. 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.

Particularly suitable transparent, electrically conductive coatings contain 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), antimony-doped tin oxide (ATO, SnO2:Sb), and/or carbon nanotubes and/or optically transparent ones, electrically conductive polymers, preferably poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene), polystyrene sulfonate, poly(4,4-dioctylcyclopentadithiophene), 2,3-dichloro-5,6-dicyano-1,4-benzoquinone, mixtures and/or copolymers thereof

The thickness of the transparent, electrically conductive coating can vary widely and be adapted to the requirements of the individual case. What is essential here is that the thickness of the transparent, electrically conductive coating must not be so great that it becomes impermeable to electromagnetic radiation, preferably electromagnetic radiation with a wavelength of 300 to 1300 nm and in particular visible light. The transparent, electrically conductive coating preferably has a layer thickness of 10 nm to 5 μm (microns) and particularly preferably of 30 nm to 1 μm.

The transparent, electrically conductive coating preferably has good infrared-reflecting properties and/or particularly low emissivities (Low-E). The transparent, electrically conductive coating is preferably impermeable to radar, microwave and/or radio waves. The at least one first partial area is preferably arranged near the upper edge of the pane of the curved pane from which the coating has been removed in some areas. The at least one second partial area is also preferably arranged near the upper edge of the pane of the curved pane from which the coating has been removed in some areas. Particularly preferably, both the at least one first partial area and the at least one second partial area are arranged near the upper edge of the pane of the curved pane from which the coating has been removed in some areas. If a partial area is arranged close to the upper edge of the pane, this means that the partial area is arranged at a maximum of 50 cm, preferably a maximum of 30 cm, from the upper edge of the pane. The at least one first partial area and the at least one second partial area can be arranged, for example, in the upper third of the curved pane from which the coating has been removed in certain areas. If the curved pane from which the coating has been removed in some areas is a pane of a windshield, the at least one first partial area and the at least one second partial area are particularly preferably arranged in the area referred to as the so-called third sun visor, which in the installed position is between the two sun visors of the driver and of the passenger is arranged.

In a further embodiment, the at least one first partial area and/or the at least one second partial area is arranged near the lower edge of the pane of the curved pane from which the coating has been removed in some areas. If a sub-area is arranged close to the lower edge of the pane, this means that the sub-area is arranged at most 50 cm, preferably at most 30 cm, from the lower edge of the pane. The at least one first partial area and the at least one second partial area can be arranged, for example, in the lower third of the curved pane from which the coating has been removed in certain areas.

In a further embodiment, first partial areas and/or second partial areas are arranged both near the upper edge of the pane and near the lower edge of the pane.

In a preferred embodiment of the method according to the invention, the curved pane from which the coating has been removed in some areas has a camera window and the at least one first partial area is arranged outside the camera window and outside a surrounding area which is at least 30 mm wide and surrounds the camera window like a frame. In this embodiment, the camera window is also completely in one of the windows when looking through the pane perpendicularly arranged at least a second portion. Thus, the at least one first partial area is arranged in a pane with a camera window produced by the method according to the invention outside of the camera window and outside of a surrounding area that is at least 30 mm wide and surrounds the camera window. In this embodiment, the flat base pane is thus decoated in step b) only in areas which, when viewed through the pane, are completely outside the area which is the camera window in the end product, ie the curved pane decoated in some areas, and also completely outside an area surrounding the camera window that is at least 30 mm wide. In this embodiment, a second partial area of the curved pane, which includes the camera window, is decoated in step d) by means of laser ablation. The outer dimensions of this stripped second partial area are preferably slightly larger than the camera window. In this context, slightly larger means 1 to 3 mm larger on all sides, preferably 2 to 3 mm larger.

The area surrounding the camera window surrounds the camera window in the form of a frame and, as described above, has a width of at least 30 mm. In a preferred embodiment, the surrounding area has a width of 30 mm; in a further preferred embodiment, the surrounding area has a width of at least 40 mm, particularly preferably at least 50 mm. If the distance from the nearest edge of a camera window to areas removed by mechanical abrasion is more than 30 mm, the areas removed by mechanical abrasion have no or only a negligible effect on the optics of the camera window. The width of the surrounding area is preferably a maximum of 80 mm.

In a preferred embodiment of the method according to the invention, the curved pane from which the coating has been removed in some areas has a camera window and one or more sensor windows, and the at least one first partial area is arranged outside of the camera window and outside of a surrounding area that surrounds the camera window like a frame and has a width of at least 30 mm . In this embodiment, the camera window is also arranged completely in one of the at least one second partial area when looking through the pane perpendicularly. In addition, in this embodiment at least one of the sensor windows overlaps at least partially with the area surrounding the camera window when looking through the pane perpendicularly. This at least one sensor window, which with the Surrounding area of the camera window is also arranged completely in one of the at least one second partial area when viewed perpendicularly through the pane. In this embodiment, in step b), the flat base pane is only decoated in areas that, when viewed through the pane, are completely outside the area that is the camera window in the end product, and also completely outside of the area surrounding the camera window, at least 30 mm wide surrounding area. A second sub-area of the curved pane, which includes the camera window, and a further second sub-area of the curved pane, which includes the sensor window and which overlaps with the area surrounding the camera window, are stripped in this embodiment by means of laser ablation. The outer dimensions of these stripped second partial areas are preferably slightly larger than the camera window or the sensor window. In this context, slightly larger means 1 to 3 mm larger on all sides, preferably 2 to 3 mm larger.

In a particularly preferred embodiment of the method, the sensor window, which at least partially overlaps with the surrounding area when looking through the pane perpendicularly, is a sensor window for a rain sensor.

Sensor windows, which are arranged outside the camera window and outside the surrounding area when looking through the pane perpendicularly, are each in a first partial area when looking through the pane perpendicularly and are thus stripped of the coating in step b) by means of mechanical abrasion.

A second partial area can be arranged directly at the edges of a first partial area, at least in sections. Such a second partial area is preferably linear with a width of 1 to 3 mm, particularly preferably 2 to 3 mm. These second sub-areas avoid unclean boundary edges of the first sub-areas from which the coating has been removed, and a clean, sharp boundary edge of the coating is achieved in the second sub-areas by laser ablation. The arrangement of a second partial area directly on an edge section of a first partial area is particularly preferred in areas of the partially decoated curved pane which are visible to an observer in the installed position of the pane and are therefore not completely covered by an opaque masking print, for example. A curved pane produced according to a method according to the invention which has been partially decoated can additionally have a masking print, in particular of a dark, preferably black, enamel on the second surface, ie on the surface opposite the partially coated surface. The masking print is in particular a peripheral, ie frame-like, masking print. The peripheral covering print can have a greater width at least in certain areas than in different areas. The peripheral masking print primarily serves as UV protection for the assembly adhesive of the laminated pane. The cover print can be opaque and full-surface. The cover print can also be semi-transparent, at least in sections, for example as a dot grid, stripe grid or checkered grid. Alternatively, the covering print can also have a gradient, for example from an opaque covering to a semi-transparent covering.

According to the invention is therefore also a method for producing a partially decoated curved pane with a first surface, a second surface, an upper pane edge, a lower pane edge and two lateral pane edges, which comprises at least the following method steps in the order given: a) providing a planar Base pane with a first surface and a second surface, a transparent coating being arranged over the entire surface of the first surface, b) removal of the transparent coating in at least a first partial area by means of mechanical abrasion, b.1) area-by-area application of a printing ink suitable for a cover print the second surface of the flat base pane, c) bending the flat base pane to form a curved base pane, d) removing the transparent coating in at least a second partial area by means of laser ablation.

In step b.1), the printing ink is preferably applied in a frame-like manner. The printing ink can be applied over the entire surface or applied in such a way that the resulting cover print is also semi-transparent, at least in sections, for example as a dot grid, stripe grid or checkered grid. Alternatively, the ink can be applied so that the resulting masking print is a gradient e.g. from an opaque coverage to a semi-transparent coverage.

If the curved pane from which the coating has been removed in some areas has a camera window and/or a sensor window for a rain sensor, then the covering print has a recess for the camera window or for the sensor window of the rain sensor.

In embodiments in which the partially decoated curved pane has a masking print and edges of a first partial area are arranged in sections when viewed perpendicularly through the partially decoated curved pane in areas which, when viewed perpendicularly through the pane, do not coincide with areas in which the masking print is arranged , overlap, a second partial area is preferably arranged directly on these sections of the edges of the first partial area. Such a second partial area is preferably linear with a width of 1 to 3 mm, particularly preferably 2 to 3 mm. These second sub-areas avoid visible imperfect boundary edges of decoated first sub-areas, and a clean, sharp boundary edge of the coating is achieved in the second sub-areas by laser ablation.

In embodiments in which the masking print is semi-transparent in sections and edges of a first partial area are arranged in sections in the areas in which the masking print is semi-transparent when viewed perpendicularly through the curved pane that has been decoated in some areas, the edges of the first Section each arranged a second section. Such a second partial area is preferably linear with a width of 1 to 3 mm, particularly preferably 2 to 3 mm. These second partial areas avoid unclean boundary edges of decoated first partial areas showing through the semi-transparent cover print and achieve a clean, sharp boundary edge of the coating in the second partial areas in the areas in which the cover print is semi-transparent.

Those skilled in the art are familiar with suitable bending methods for bending the planar base pane into the curved base pane. Typical temperatures for glass bending processes are 500°C to 700°C, for example. The curved pane that has been decoated in some areas preferably contains flat glass, float glass, quartz glass, borosilicate glass, soda-lime glass and/or mixtures thereof. It goes without saying that the flat base pane also preferably contains flat glass, float glass, quartz glass, borosilicate glass, soda-lime glass and/or mixtures thereof.

The thickness of the curved pane that has been decoated in some areas can vary widely and can thus be adapted to the requirements of the individual case. The curved pane from which the coating has been removed in some areas preferably has a thickness of 0.5 mm to 5 mm, particularly preferably 1 mm to 3 mm, for example 2.1 mm or 1.6 mm. This applies equally to the flat base plate.

The curved pane produced by means of a method according to the invention can be used in a method for producing a curved composite pane decoated in certain areas.

According to the invention is therefore also a method for producing a partially decoated curved laminated pane, at least comprising the following steps in the order given: a) Provision of a partially decoated curved pane, produced according to an embodiment of the above-described method according to the invention, at least one thermoplastic intermediate layer and a further one curved pane, b) forming a stack sequence in which the at least one thermoplastic intermediate layer is arranged between the curved pane from which the coating has been removed in some areas and the further curved pane, c) laminating the stack sequence.

According to the invention, therefore, is also a method for producing a curved laminated pane that has been decoated in some areas, comprising at least the following steps: a) providing a flat base pane with a first surface and a second surface, with a transparent coating being arranged over the entire surface of the first surface, b) removing the transparent coating in at least a first partial area by means of mechanical abrasion, c) bending the flat base pane to form a curved base pane, d) removing the transparent coating in at least a second partial area by means of laser ablation. e) providing at least one thermoplastic intermediate layer and a further curved pane, f) forming a stack sequence in which the at least one thermoplastic intermediate layer is arranged between the curved pane from which the coating has been removed in some areas and the further curved pane, g) laminating the stack sequence.

Steps a) to d) are carried out in the order given. Step e) can take place before, after or at the same time as steps a) to d). Steps a) to e) are then followed by steps f) and g) in the specified order.

The curved pane from which the coating has been removed in some areas is preferably arranged in the stacking sequence in such a way that the coating points in the direction of the thermoplastic intermediate layer.

The lamination is preferably carried out under the action of heat, vacuum and/or pressure. Methods known per se can be used for lamination, for example autoclave methods, vacuum bag methods, vacuum ring methods, calendering methods, vacuum laminators or combinations thereof.

A curved laminated pane that has been decoated in some areas and is produced by a method according to the invention can additionally include a masking print, in particular made of a dark, preferably black, enamel. The masking print is in particular a peripheral, i.e. frame-like, masking print. The peripheral masking print primarily serves as UV protection for the assembly adhesive of the laminated pane. The cover print can be opaque and full-surface. The cover print can also be semi-transparent, at least in sections, for example as a dot grid, stripe grid or checkered grid. Alternatively, the covering print can also have a gradient, for example from an opaque covering to a semi-transparent covering.

In a preferred embodiment of the method according to the invention for producing a curved laminated pane that has been decoated in some areas, the laminated pane has a peripheral covering print which, starting from the upper edge of the pane in the direction of the lower edge of the pane, has a greater width at least in some areas than in different areas.

The masking pressure can be applied to the partially decoated curved laminated pane via the partially decoated curved pane and/or via the further curved pane. A printing ink suitable for a masking print is applied in regions to the respective pane in order to apply the masking print before the respective bending of the pane. The masking print can thus be arranged on the curved pane from which the coating has been removed in some areas or on the other curved pane. In a further embodiment, a covering print is arranged both on the curved pane from which the coating has been removed in some areas and on the further curved pane.

Preferably, the covering print is arranged on a surface of the further curved pane. If the further curved pane is the outer pane of the curved laminated pane from which the coating has been removed in some areas, then the covering print is preferably arranged on the surface which points in the direction of the thermoplastic intermediate layer. If the further curved pane is the inner pane of the curved laminated pane from which the coating has been removed in some areas, then the covering print is preferably arranged on the surface which does not point in the direction of the thermoplastic intermediate layer.

If the laminated pane is intended to separate the interior from the outside environment in a window opening of a vehicle, the inner pane within the meaning of the invention refers to the pane of the laminated pane facing the vehicle interior. The outer pane refers to the pane facing the outside environment.

If the curved laminated pane that has been decoated in some areas has a camera window and/or a sensor window for a rain sensor, then the covering print has a cutout for the camera window or for the sensor window of the rain sensor.

In embodiments in which the curved laminated pane that has been stripped of coating in some areas has a covering print and edges of a first partial area when viewed perpendicularly are arranged in sections by the curved laminated pane, which has been decoated in some areas, which when looking through the laminated pane perpendicularly do not overlap with areas in which the covering print is arranged, a second partial region is preferably arranged directly on these sections of the edges of the first partial region. Such a second partial area is preferably linear with a width of 1 to 3 mm, particularly preferably 2 to 3 mm. These second sub-areas avoid visible imperfect boundary edges of decoated first sub-areas and achieve a clean, sharp boundary edge of the coating in the second sub-areas by laser ablation.

In embodiments in which the cover print is semi-transparent in sections and edges of a first partial area are arranged in sections in the areas in which the cover print is made semi-transparent when viewed perpendicularly through the curved laminated pane that has been decoated in some areas, the edges of the first partial area are directly adjacent to these sections each arranged a second portion. Such a second partial area is preferably linear with a width of 1 to 3 mm, particularly preferably 2 to 3 mm. These second partial areas avoid unclean boundary edges of decoated first partial areas shining through the semi-transparent cover print and achieve a clean, sharp boundary edge of the coating in the second partial areas by laser ablation.

The further curved pane preferably contains flat glass, float glass, quartz glass, borosilicate glass, soda-lime glass and/or mixtures thereof.

The thickness of the further curved pane can vary widely and can thus be adapted to the requirements in the individual case. The further curved pane preferably has a thickness of 0.5 mm to 5 mm, particularly preferably 1 mm to 3 mm, for example 2.1 mm or 1.6 mm.

The partially stripped curved pane is curved in one or more spatial directions, with typical radii of curvature being in the range from about 10 cm to about 40 m. The further curved disc is curved in one or more directions of space, with typical radii of curvature ranging from about 10 cm to about 40 m.

Typical radii of curvature for the partially decoated curved laminated pane are therefore also in the range of about 10 cm to about 40 m.

The at least one thermoplastic intermediate layer preferably contains at least polyvinyl butyral (PVB), ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA), polyurethane (PU) or copolymers or derivatives thereof or consists of them, particularly preferably polyvinyl butyral (PVB), very particularly preferably polyvinyl butyral (PVB) and additives known to those skilled in the art such as plasticizers

The at least one thermoplastic intermediate layer can also be a functional thermoplastic intermediate layer, in particular an intermediate layer with acoustically damping properties, an intermediate layer which reflects infrared radiation, an intermediate layer which absorbs infrared radiation, an intermediate layer which absorbs UV radiation, an intermediate layer which is colored at least in sections and/or an intermediate layer which is tinted at least in sections intermediate layer. The at least one thermoplastic intermediate layer can also be a band filter film, for example, independently of one another.

The at least one thermoplastic intermediate layer can be formed by a single film or by more than one film.

The thickness of the at least one thermoplastic intermediate layer is preferably between 30 μm and 1500 μm, preferably between 50 μm and 780 μm and is, for example, 380 μm or 760 μm. The at least one thermoplastic intermediate layer can have a constant thickness or can have a wedge-shaped cross section.

The method according to the invention for the production of a partially decoated curved pane or composite pane combines time-saving decoating before bending by means of mechanical abrasion with decoating after bending by means of laser ablation, ensuring a high optical quality of sensitive areas. The invention also relates to a curved pane that has been decoated in some areas and is produced by a method according to the invention.

The invention thus also relates to a curved pane with a partially decoated pane having a first surface, a second surface, an upper pane edge, a lower pane edge and two side pane edges and a transparent coating on the first surface, the transparent coating being applied in at least a first partial area by means of a abrasive process was removed from the flat base pane prior to bending and the transparent coating was removed from the curved base pane by laser ablation in at least a second partial area after the flat base pane was bent to form a curved base pane.

The statements already made in the description of the method according to the invention for the production of a partially decoated curved pane with regard to the partially decoated curved pane resulting from the method according to the invention naturally also apply to the partially decoated curved pane itself and vice versa

The invention also relates to a curved laminated pane that has been decoated in some areas and is produced by a method according to the invention.

The invention thus also relates to a curved laminated pane with a partially decoated curved pane comprising a partially decoated curved pane, at least one thermoplastic intermediate layer and a further curved pane, the partially decoated curved pane being connected to the further curved pane via the at least one thermoplastic intermediate layer and wherein the partially decoated curved pane has a first surface, a second surface, an upper pane edge, a lower pane edge and two lateral side edges and a transparent coating on the first surface and the transparent coating in at least a first partial area by means of an abrasive process before the flat base pane is bent was removed and the transparent coating was removed from the curved base pane by laser ablation in at least a second partial area after the planar base pane was bent to form a curved base pane. The statements already made in the description of the method according to the invention for the production of a partially decoated curved composite pane with regard to the partially decoated curved composite pane resulting from the method according to the invention naturally also apply to the partially decoated curved composite pane itself and vice versa

The invention also relates to the use of a curved pane according to the invention with partially decoated areas or a curved laminated pane according to the invention with partially decoated areas in building glazing, vehicle glazing, ship glazing, aircraft glazing, helicopter glazing or train glazing, in particular as a windshield or rear window.

The invention is explained in more detail with reference to drawings and exemplary embodiments. The drawings are schematic representations and not to scale. The drawings do not limit the invention in any way. Show it:

1 shows a flow chart of an embodiment of a method according to the invention for producing a curved pane 1 that has been decoated in some areas, FIG. 2 shows a plan view of a flat base pane 2,

Fig. 3 shows a cross section through the flat base plate 2 shown in Fig. 2 along the section line X'-X,

Fig. 4 shows a cross section through a flat base pane 2, which has been decoated in a first area 4,

Fig. 5 shows a cross section through a curved base pane 5, which has been decoated in a first area 4,

Fig. 6 shows a cross section through a curved pane 1 according to the invention that has been partially decoated,

Fig. 7 shows a top view of an embodiment of a curved pane 1 according to the invention that has been decoated in some areas,

FIG. 8 shows an enlargement of detail Z from FIG. 7,

9 shows a flow chart of an embodiment of a method according to the invention for producing a curved composite pane 10 with a partially decoated layer, FIG. 10 a plan view of an embodiment of a curved composite pane 10 with a partially decoated layer according to the invention, FIG. 11 shows an enlargement of section Z from FIG. 10,

12 shows a cross section through the curved composite pane 10 shown in FIG.

13 shows a cross section through a further embodiment of a curved laminated pane 10 according to the invention that has been decoated in some areas,

14 shows a cross section through a further embodiment of a curved laminated pane 10 according to the invention which has been decoated in some areas,

15 shows a cross section through a further embodiment of a curved pane 1 according to the invention which has been decoated in some areas.

16 shows an enlargement of a section of a top view of a further embodiment of a curved laminated pane 10 according to the invention, with the coating removed in some areas,

17 shows an enlargement of a section of a top view of a further embodiment of a curved laminated pane 10 according to the invention, with the coating removed in some areas,

18 shows an enlargement of a section of a top view of a further embodiment of a curved laminated pane 10 according to the invention with areas of the coating removed, and

Fig. 19 shows an enlargement of a section of a top view of a further embodiment of a curved pane 1 according to the invention that has been decoated in some areas.

Fig. 1 shows a flowchart of an embodiment of a method according to the invention for producing a partially decoated curved pane 1 with a first surface 1.1, a second surface 1.2, an upper pane edge O, a lower pane edge U and two lateral pane edges S. In a first step S1 a flat base pane 2 is provided with a first surface 2.1 and a second surface 2.2 and a peripheral edge running in between, with a transparent coating 3 being arranged over the entire surface on the first surface 2.1. In a second step S2, the coating 3 is removed in at least a first partial area 4 by means of mechanical abrasion. In a third step S3, the flat base pane 2 is bent to form a curved base pane 5. In a subsequent fourth step S4, the coating 3 is removed in at least a second partial area 6 by means of laser ablation. 2 shows a plan view of a flat base disk 2 and FIG. 3 shows a cross section through the flat base disk 2 shown in FIG A method for producing a curved pane 1 that has been decoated in some areas is present.

The flat base pane 2 shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 has a first surface 2.1 and a second surface 2.2, and a transparent coating 3 is applied over the entire surface of the first surface 2.1.

The flat base pane 2 consists, for example, of soda-lime glass and has a thickness of 2.1 mm, for example. The transparent coating 3 is, for example, an electrically conductive heatable silver-based coating.

4 shows a cross section through a flat base pane 2, which has been decoated in a first area 4, as is the case after the second step S2 of the method according to the invention for producing a curved pane 1 decoated in some areas.

The flat base pane 2 shown in FIG. 4 differs from that shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 only in that the transparent coating 3 was removed in a first partial area 4 by means of mechanical abrasion.

5 shows a cross section through a curved base pane 5, which has been decoated in a first partial area 4, as is the case after the third step S3 of the method according to the invention for producing a curved pane 1 that has been decoated in some areas.

The curved base disk 5 shown in FIG. 5 differs from the flat base disk 2 shown in FIG. 4 only in that it is curved.

6 shows a cross section through a curved pane 1 from which the coating has been removed in some areas, as it is present after the fourth step S4 of the method according to the invention for producing a curved pane 1 from which the coating has been removed in some areas.

6 differs from the curved base pane 5 shown in FIG. 5 only in that the transparent coating 3 was removed in a second partial area 6 by means of laser ablation. The cross section shown in FIG. 6 corresponds to the cross section through the curved pane 1 shown in FIG.

Fig. 7 shows a plan view of an embodiment of a curved pane 1 according to the invention, partially decoated, produced by the method according to the invention and Fig. 8 shows an enlargement of section Z from Fig. 7. The cross section along the section line X'-X is shown in Fig 6 shown. In this embodiment, the curved pane 1 from which the coating has been removed in some areas has an upper pane edge O, a lower pane edge U and two lateral side edges S. In addition, the curved pane 1 from which the coating has been removed in some areas has a first sub-area 4 which is arranged directly adjacent to a section of the upper pane edge O, and a second sub-area 6 . For better representation, in FIGS. 7 and 8 the first partial area 4 is surrounded by a dashed line and the second partial area 6 by a dotted line.

Fig. 9 shows a flow chart of an embodiment of a method according to the invention for producing a curved laminated pane 10 that has been decoated in some areas.

As a first step S1, the method comprises the provision of a curved pane 1 from which the coating has been removed in some areas, produced according to the method shown in FIG. 1, at least one thermoplastic intermediate layer 11 and a further curved pane 12.

In a subsequent second step S2, a stacking sequence is formed, in which the at least one thermoplastic intermediate layer 11 is arranged between the curved pane 1, from which the coating has been removed in some areas, and the other curved pane 12.

In a subsequent third step S3, the stacking sequence is laminated and the curved laminated pane 10, with the coating removed in some areas, is obtained.

FIG. 10 shows a plan view of an embodiment of a curved laminated pane 10 according to the invention from which the coating has been removed in some areas, produced according to the method according to the invention shown in FIG. 9, and FIG. 11 shows an enlargement of section Z from FIG. X is in Fig. 12 shown. In this embodiment, the curved laminated pane 10 from which the coating has been removed in some areas has an upper pane edge O, a lower pane edge U and two lateral side edges S. In addition, the curved laminated pane 10 from which the coating has been removed in some areas has a first sub-area 4 which is arranged directly adjacent to a section of the upper pane edge O, and a second sub-area 6 . For better representation, in FIGS. 10 and 11 the first partial area 4 is surrounded by a dashed line and the second partial area 6 by a dotted line.

In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 10, 11 and 12, the curved laminated pane 10 from which the coating has been removed in some areas comprises a curved pane 1 from which the coating has been removed in some areas and a further curved pane 12 which are connected to one another via a thermoplastic intermediate layer 11 . The curved pane 1 from which the coating has been removed in some areas is constructed as shown in FIG. 6 and is arranged in the laminated pane 10 in such a way that the coating 3 points in the direction of the thermoplastic intermediate layer 11 . The thermoplastic intermediate layer 11 consists of PVB, for example, and is 0.78 mm thick, for example. The further curved pane 12 consists, for example, of soda-lime glass and has a thickness of 2.1 mm, for example.

A masking print 13 made of an opaque black enamel is applied to the surface of the further curved pane 12 facing the thermoplastic intermediate layer 11 . For reasons of better visibility, the masking print 13 is shown in gray in FIGS. 10 and 11. The covering print 13 is designed as a peripheral covering print and has a greater width in an area starting from the upper pane edge O than in areas different therefrom. In addition, the masking print 13 is semi-transparent in sections as a dot grid.

The curved laminated pane 10 shown in FIGS. 10, 11 and 12 has a camera window 7 and the covering print has a recess 14 in the area of the camera window 7. The outer dimensions of the recess 14 in the area of the camera window 7 correspond to the outer dimensions of the camera window 7. In the embodiment shown in Figs was removed from the flat base pane by means of mechanical abrasion prior to bending, and precisely a second partial region 6 in which the coating 3 was removed from the bent base pane by means of laser ablation after bending was removed, on. The first partial area 4 is arranged directly adjacent to the upper edge of the pane O and is enlarged in two sections in the direction of the center of the pane. The enlarged sections in the direction of the center of the pane overlap when viewed perpendicularly through the curved laminated pane 10, from which the coating has been removed in some areas, with the sections of the masking print 13 designed as a dot grid. The second partial area 6 is arranged in such a way that when looking through the curved laminated pane 10, from which the coating has been removed in some areas, the camera window 7 is completely arranged in the second portion 6. The outer dimensions of the second partial area 6 are 2 mm larger than the camera window 7 on all sides.

If the curved laminated pane 10 shown in cross-section in FIG. 12 is the windshield of a vehicle, then the curved pane 1 with the coated areas removed is the inner pane and the other curved pane 12 is the outer pane.

Fig. 13 shows a cross section through a further embodiment of a curved laminated pane 10 according to the invention that has been partially decoated. The embodiment shown in cross section in Fig. 13 differs from that shown in Fig. 12 only in that the covering print 13 is not on the thermoplastic Intermediate layer 11 facing surface of the further curved pane 12 is arranged, but is arranged on the second surface 1.2 of the partially decoated curved pane 1.

Fig. 14 shows a cross section through a further embodiment of a curved laminated pane 10 according to the invention that has been decoated in some areas. The embodiment shown in cross section in Fig. 14 differs from that shown in Fig Surface of the further curved pane 12 and on the second surface 1.2 of the partially decoated curved pane 1, a masking print 13 is arranged.

Fig. 15 shows a cross section through another embodiment of a curved pane 1 according to the invention with partially decoated areas. The embodiment shown in cross section in Fig pane 1 from which the coating has been removed is not connected to another curved pane 12 via a thermoplastic intermediate layer 3 .

Fig. 16 shows an enlarged detail of a plan view of another embodiment of a curved laminated pane 10 according to the invention with partially decoated areas. The embodiment shown in Fig. 16 differs from that shown in Fig. 11 only in that the curved laminated pane 10 with partially decoated layers has three second partial regions 6, in which the coating 3 was removed from the bent base pane by means of laser ablation after bending. In addition to the second partial area 6, in which the camera window 7 is completely arranged when looking through the composite pane 10, the composite pane 10 also has in each case directly adjacent to the sections of the edges of the first partial area 4, which when looking through the composite pane 10 vertically in one formed as a dot grid section of the cover print 13 are, in each case a second partial area 6, in which the coating was removed by means of laser ablation after bending of the bent base pane. These two further second partial areas 6 are essentially linear with a width of 2 mm, for example. In an area which is located within a 30 mm wide surrounding area 8 surrounding the camera window 7 when looking through the laminated pane 10 perpendicularly, the second partial area 6 on the right is wider and has a width of up to 28 mm, for example.

Fig. 17 shows an enlargement of a section of a top view of a further embodiment of a curved laminated pane 10 according to the invention with partially decoated areas. The embodiment shown in Fig. 17 differs from that shown in Fig. 16 only in that the curved laminated pane 10 with partially decoated layers has two further first partial areas 4, in which the coating 3 was removed from the flat base plate by means of mechanical abrasion before bending. These are, for example, sensor windows 9. These two further first partial regions 4 are arranged completely in a region of the laminated pane 10 when viewed perpendicularly through the laminated pane 10, in which the covering print 13 is arranged over the entire surface.

FIG. 18 shows an enlargement of a section of a top view of a further embodiment of a curved part according to the invention which has been decoated in some areas Laminated pane 10. The embodiment shown in FIG. 18 differs from that shown in FIG. 17 only in that the curved laminated pane 10, which has been stripped of coating in some areas, has a sensor window 9 for a rain sensor, which when viewed perpendicularly through the laminated pane 10 is partially within a 30 mm wide the camera window 7 surrounding area 8 is arranged. When looking through the laminated pane 10 perpendicularly, this sensor window 9 is arranged completely in a second partial region 6 in which the coating 3 was removed from the bent base pane after bending by means of laser ablation. In addition, the sensor window 9 is arranged completely within a further recess 14 in the covering print 13 in a vertical view through the laminated pane 10 .

It goes without saying that, analogously to the embodiments shown in Figs. 16, 17 and 18, curved laminated panes 10 with a partially decoated layer can also be constructed with a partially decoated curved pane 1, with the difference that these do not have a thermoplastic intermediate layer 11 and no further curved pane 12 have and the masking print is arranged on the second surface 1.2 of the partially decoated curved pane 1.

FIG. 19 shows an enlargement of a section of a top view of a further embodiment of a curved pane 1 according to the invention with areas of the coating removed. The embodiment shown in FIG. 19 differs from that shown in FIG. 8 only in that the curved pane 1 partially decoated has three second subregions 6 in which the coating 3 is applied by laser ablation after bending the curved base pane was removed. In addition to the second partial area 6, which is trapezoidal, the pane 1 also has a second partial area 6 directly adjacent to sections of the edges of the first partial area 4, in which the coating is removed from the curved base pane by means of laser ablation after bending became. These two further second partial areas 6 are essentially linear with a width of 2 mm, for example, and form a sharp boundary edge of the coating 3. Reference list:

1 curved pane partially decoated

2 flat base plate

3 coating

4 first section

5 curved base plate

6 second section

7 camera windows

8 surrounding area

9 sensor windows

10 curved laminated pane partially decoated

11 thermoplastic intermediate layer

12 more curved disc

13 cover print

14 recess

1.1 First surface of the partially decoated curved pane 1

1.2 second surface of the partially decoated curved pane 1

2.1 first surface of the flat base plate 2

2.2 second surface of the flat base plate 2

5.1 first surface of the curved base plate 5

5.2 second surface of the curved base plate 5

O upper disc edge

U lower edge of disc

S side disc edge

X-X' cutting line

Z cutout

Claims

Process for the production of a curved pane (1) with a partially decoated layer, having a first surface (1.1), a second surface (1.2), an upper pane edge (O), a lower pane edge (II) and two lateral pane edges (S), at least comprising the following steps in the given order: a) Provision of a flat base plate (2) with a first surface (2.1) and a second surface (2. 2), a transparent coating (3) being arranged over the entire surface of the first surface (2.1), b) removing the transparent coating (3) in at least a first portion (4) by means of mechanical abrasion, c) bending the flat base disk (2) to form a curved base disk (5), d) removing the transparent coating (3) in at least a second partial area (6) by means of laser ablation. Method according to claim 1, wherein the transparent coating (3) is a transparent, electrically conductive coating. Method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the at least one first partial area (4) and the at least one second partial area (6) are arranged close to the upper pane edge (O) of the curved pane (1) from which the coating has been removed in some areas. Method according to one of Claims 1 to 3, in which the curved pane (1) from which the coating has been removed in some areas has a camera window (7) and the at least one first partial area (4) outside the camera window (7) and outside a surrounding area surrounding the camera window (7) in the manner of a frame (8), which has a width of at least 30 mm, and wherein the camera window (7) is arranged completely in one of the at least one second partial area (6) when looking through the pane (1) perpendicularly. Method according to Claim 4, in which the curved pane (1) from which the coating has been removed in some areas has one or more sensor windows (9), at least one of which at least partially overlaps with the surrounding area (8) when viewed perpendicularly through the pane (1) and completely in one of the at least one second partial area (6) and is preferably a sensor window for a rain sensor. 6. The method according to claim 4 or 5, wherein the curved pane (1) from which coating has been removed in some areas has one or more sensor windows (9), of which at least one is outside the camera window (7) and outside the surrounding area when looking through the pane (1) perpendicularly (8) is arranged and is arranged completely in one of the at least one first partial area (4). 7. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein on the second surface (1.2) of the curved pane (1) from which the coating has been removed in some areas is arranged a peripheral covering print which, starting from the upper pane edge (O) in the direction of the lower pane edge (U ) has a greater width at least in some areas than in different areas and wherein the covering print is optionally designed to be semi-transparent at least in sections, in particular as a dot grid, stripe grid or checkered grid. 8. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein a second sub-area (6) is arranged at least in sections directly adjacent to edges of the at least one first sub-area (4). 9. A method for producing a partially delaminated curved laminated pane (10) with an upper pane edge (O), a lower pane edge (U) and two side pane edges (S), at least comprising the following steps in the order given: a) providing a decoated curved pane (1) produced by a method according to one of claims 1 to 8, at least one thermoplastic intermediate layer (11) and a further curved pane (12), b) forming a stack sequence in which the at least one thermoplastic intermediate layer (11) is arranged between the partially decoated curved pane (1) and the other curved pane (12), c) lamination of the stack sequence. 10. The method according to claim 9, wherein the partially decoated curved laminated pane (10) has a peripheral covering print (13) which, starting from the upper pane edge (O) in the direction of the lower pane edge (U), has a greater width at least in certain areas than in different areas and wherein the cover print (13) is optionally semi-transparent at least in sections, in particular as a dot grid, stripe grid or checkered grid. Method according to Claim 10, in which the masking print (13) is arranged on the second surface (1.2) of the curved pane (1) from which the coating has been removed in some areas and/or on the further curved pane (12). Method according to Claim 10 or 11, in which the covering print (13) is designed to be semi-transparent in sections and immediately adjacent to edges of the at least one first partial area (4), which are arranged in sections when viewed perpendicularly through the curved laminated pane (10) from which the coating has been removed in some areas where the cover print (13) is not arranged or is semi-transparent, a second partial area (6) is arranged in each case. Curved pane (1) decoated in areas, produced by a method according to one of claims 1 to 8. Curved composite pane (10) decoated in areas, produced by a method according to one of claims 9 to 12. Use of a curved pane (1) decoated in areas according to Claim 13 or a curved laminated pane (10) decoated in some areas according to claim 14 in building, vehicle, ship, aircraft, helicopter or train glazing, in particular as a windshield or rear window.