Abstract: The disclosure refers to an encapsulated illuminated glazing in which a cavity is first formed in the encapsulation and then, after completion of the encapsulation, the light strip is slid into and installed in the cavity.

Abstract: Vehicle glazing, which once served just to provide for vision and protect from the elements, has been taking on new functions as the complexity and functionality of modern automobiles has evolved. Performance films and interlayers are often used to add to and enhance the functionality of laminates. These functions include solar control, sound dampening, head up display and variable light transmittance. Recent advances have made it possible to produce electronic circuits on thin transparent substrates that are essentially invisible under normal lighting conditions. While these circuits can be inserted into the laminate and successfully laminated, the edges of the circuit insert are prone to objectionable aesthetics due to mismatch between the substrate and the interlayer index of refraction, thickness and color.

Abstract: In addition to providing for vision and protection from the external elements, various other features, such as lighting, cameras, sensors and displays have been integrated within automotive glazings Some of these require a laminate with an offset between the edges of at least two of the glass layers to accommodate components and/or connectors. When the edge of one glass layer is offset, such that it is no longer substantially captured by the mounting means used to install the glazing in the vehicle, the mechanical strength is reduced. To compensate, the remaining layer must be made stronger, usually by increasing the thickness. Even when compensated, the security of the glazing remains compromised as the smaller glass layer is not directly connected to the vehicle. If the larger glass layer should break, the opening may be left unprotected. By providing an innovative integrated reinforcement in the offset portion, a secure, stronger and lighter laminate can be obtained.

Abstract: The use of camera based safety systems is growing at a rapid rate in modern automobiles. As the industry moves towards vehicles with full autonomous capability, the number of cameras required and the resolution of the cameras are both increasing. At the same time, windshields, where many of the cameras are mounted, are becoming larger and more complex in shape. This presents problems in the area of camera optics. Variations in the thickness of the glass and the plastic layer, surface mismatch, surface texture and the design curvature of the glass in conjunction with the often low installation angle, can reduce the optical clarity of the camera optics. These optical aberrations are further exacerbated during the lamination process when the layers are bonded together under pressure. The laminate of the invention utilizes a cutout in the plastic bonding layer in side of the laminate, preferable in the camera field of view.

Abstract: A switchable laminated glazing comprising two stacks of components with different lamination parameters, a first stack of components which provides the mechanical protection of the glazing, and a second stack of components with variable light transmission.

Abstract: The trend towards increasing the glazed area in automobiles has reduced the potential locations for mounting cabin lighting. This is especially true for vehicles having large panoramic glazing. Attempts to utilize integrated light sources within the glazing have had mixed results. Embedded LEDs in the laminate tend to be too bright for night driving. Edge feed illumination with light dispersing elements on the glass to date have only been able to provide low intensity levels. Both approaches tend to reduce visibility and aesthetics in the off state. The current invention provides a means and a method to produce a laminate which provides bright cabin lighting without compromising the function of the glazing to serve as a window, by creating a light dispersing layer that is substantially invisible when in the off state and very bright in the on state.

Abstract: The use of camera-based safety systems is growing at a rapid rate in modern automobiles. At the same time, windshields, where many of the cameras are mounted, are becoming larger and more complex in shape. As the industry moves towards vehicles with full autonomous capability, the number of cameras required and the resolution of the cameras are both increasing. However, the optical quality of the windshield is less than optimal. One of the problems is caused by the typical black enamel frit that is printed on the glass, prior to heating and bending, to hide or obscure the camera hardware. The abrupt thermal gradients during bending, caused by the heat absorbing black frit, result in a high level of distortion in the camera field of view.

Abstract: The use of camera based safety systems is growing at a rapid rate in modern automobiles. As the industry moves for full autonomous capability, the number of cameras required is increasing. At the same time, windshields, where many of the cameras are mounted are becoming larger and more complex in shape. This presents problems in the area of camera optics. For one, the camera is looking out through at least two layers of bent glass bonded together by a third layer of plastic. Mismatches in the refractive index can result in a double image. The curvature of the glass turns the window into a lens and, in conjunction with the often low installation angle, can reduce the optical clarity of the camera field of view. The laminate of the invention has a cutout in the area of the camera(s) on the interior glass layer where the cameras are mounted.

Abstract: The trend towards increasing the glazed area in automobiles has reduced the potential locations for mounting cabin lighting. This is especially true for vehicles having large panoramic glazing. Attempts to utilize integrated light sources within the glazing have had mixed results. Embedded LEDs in the laminate tend to be too bright for night driving. Edge feed illumination with light dispersing elements on the glass to date have only been able to provide low intensity levels. Both approaches tend to reduce visibility and aesthetics in the off state. The current invention provides a means and a method to produce a laminate which provides bright cabin lighting without compromising the function of the glazing to serve as a window, by creating a light dispersing layer that is substantially invisible when in the off state and very bright in the on state.

Abstract: A laminated glazing with at least one step-shaped functional portion comprising two stack of components, the main stack of components in which the alteration of its properties is not desirable, and a second stack of components comprising a functional layer.

Abstract: Smart windows, on which the level of visible light transmission can be electrically switched, are produced by laminating a special switchable film between the two layers of a glass laminate The film is made by sandwiching an emulsion containing the switchable variable light transmission active material between a set of electrodes. One of the challenges of producing said laminates is preventing the migration of plasticizers and moisture from the plastic bonding layer of the laminate into the emulsion where it can degrade performance. By applying a sealing member to each electrode layer along the periphery the emulsion is protected and in a manner that facilitates automation of the process.

Abstract: It is now possible to economically produce, in series production, automotive glazing that has complex small radii feature lines (30). Such feature lines (30) are desirable as they can improve the stiffness of the glazing as well as contribute to the overall aesthetic and differentiation of the vehicle, allowing body lines to blend into and continue in the glazing. However, traditional automotive laminating methods do not lend themselves well to this type of product. Typically, the offset between the mating surfaces of the laminate must be very uniform. Such uniformity is difficult to achieve when producing small radii features. Rather than bending multiple layers with small radii feature lines that can be nested and subsequently laminated using standard plastic automotive interlayers, the invention makes use of a two part method for laminating, a dry lamination process and a wet lamination process, which requires only that the feature lines (30) be present in the outer glass layer (201).

Abstract: The trend towards increasing the glazed area in automobiles has reduced the potential locations for mounting cabin lighting. This is especially true for vehicles having large panoramic glazing. Attempts to utilize integrated light sources within the glazing have had mixed results. Embedded LEDs in the laminate tend to be too bright for night driving. Edge feed illumination with light dispersing elements on the glass to date have only been able to provide low intensity levels. Both approaches tend to reduce visibility and aesthetics in the off state. The current invention provides a means and a method to produce a laminate which provides bright cabin lighting without compromising the function of the glazing to serve as a window, by creating a light dispersing layer that is substantially invisible when in the off state and very bright in the on state.

Abstract: A switchable laminated glazing with improved bus bar that solves the problem of inhomogeneities and reduce the cost of its fabrication by providing a laminated glazing that comprise a switchable layer (14) that has an active material sandwiched between two conductive coated plastic layers (8), at least two bus bars (20) in electrical contact with the respective conductive coated plastic layer (8), and at least two pliable conductive media (12), each of them between the respective coated plastic layer (8) and bus bar (20). The area covered by pliable conductive medias (12) is substantially less than the area covered by bus bars (20). The invention provides an improved lower cost bus bar by sparing use of a pliable conductive media and by using a pliable conductive media in different kind of configurations.

Abstract: The trend towards increasing the glazed area in automobiles has reduced the potential locations for mounting cabin lighting. This is especially true for vehicles having large panoramic glazing. Attempts to utilize integrated light sources within the glazing have had mixed results. Embedded LEDs in the laminate tend to be too bright for night driving. Edge feed illumination with light dispersing elements on the glass to date have only been able to provide low intensity levels. Both approaches tend to reduce visibility and aesthetics in the off state. The current invention provides a means and a method to produce a laminate which provides bright cabin lighting without compromising the function of the glazing to serve as a window, by creating a light dispersing layer that is substantially invisible when in the off state and very bright in the on state.

Abstract: The use of camera based safety systems is growing at a rapid rate in modern automobiles. As the industry moves for full autonomous capability, the number of cameras required is increasing. At the same time, windshields, where many of the cameras are mounted are becoming larger and more complex in shape. This presents problems in the area of camera optics. For one, the camera is looking out through at least two layers of bent glass bonded together by a third layer of plastic. Mismatches in the refractive index can result in a double image. The curvature of the glass turns the window into a lens and, in conjunction with the often low installation angle, can reduce the optical clarity of the camera field of view. The laminate of the invention has a cutout in the area of the camera(s) on the interior glass layer where the cameras are mounted.

Abstract: A switchable laminated glazing comprising two stacks of components with different lamination parameters, a first stack of components which provides the mechanical protection of the glazing, and a second stack of components with variable light transmission.

Abstract: The use of camera based safety systems is growing at a rapid rate in modern automobiles. As the industry moves for full autonomous capability, the number of cameras required is increasing. At the same time, windshields, where many of the cameras are mounted are 5 becoming larger and more complex in shape. This presents problems in the area of camera optics. For one, the camera is looking out through at least two layers of bent glass bonded together by a third layer of plastic. Mismatches in the refractive index can result in a double image. The curvature of the glass turns the window into a lens and, in conjunction with the often low installation angle, can reduce the optical clarity of the camera field of view. The 0 laminate of the invention has a cutout in the area of the camera(s) on the interior glass layer where the cameras are mounted. The cameras are mounted directly to the glass via a bracket or adhesive or to a thin transparent insert.

Abstract: Functional layers do not have a good performance at lower temperatures. This limitation is overcoming by combining the functional layers with a resistive heating circuit. The heating circuit uses minimal power to maintain the glazing at or above the temperature required for acceptable operation.

Abstract: Vehicle glazing, which once served just to provide for vision and protect from the elements, has been taking on new functions as the complexity and functionality of modern automobiles has evolved. Performance films and interlayers are often used to add to and enhance the functionality of laminates. These functions include solar control, sound dampening, head up display and variable light transmittance. Recent advances have made it possible to produce electronic circuits on thin transparent substrates that are essentially invisible under normal lighting conditions. While these circuits can be inserted into the laminate and successfully laminated, the edges of the circuit insert are prone to objectionable aesthetics due to mismatch between the substrate and the interlayer index of refraction, thickness and color.