Abstract: As car manufacturers have worked to improve the fuel efficiency of their vehicles, one of the areas where they have been able to make major improvements has been aerodynamics. As most of the drag is the result of the frontal area of the vehicle, the installation angle of the windshield has been getting smaller and smaller to facilitate the smooth displacement of air. One of the drawbacks of this approach is that the light reflected back to the driver by the windshield increases as the installation angle decreases and the incidence angle increases. At high incidence angles, the intensity of the reflection may become objectionable. The invention reduces reflection at high incident angles by means of an anti-reflective layer and a polarization layer.

Abstract: The invention provides for a coating which when used in conjunction with a p-polarization projector (26) and a windshield mounted such that the angle between projector is at or near the Brewster angle, a sharp image is produced with no ghost image. Further, the coating is suitable for use over the entire area of the windshield, has excellent solar control properties and has a low sheet resistance allowing it to be electrically defrosted at common automotive voltages.

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: Automotive glazing has long been a factor which has frustrated and limited the freedom of automotive designers to embody their vision. The idealized initial design often must be changed and sometimes even radically altered due to the limitations on the shapes of glazing that can be produced due to the methods used to form the glazing. While sheet metal can be formed to just about any conceivable shape, glass is limited to relatively simple large radii cylindrical/spherical shapes. By means of a multi-stage forming method, it is possible to produce glazing with complex curvature, comprising small compound radii with excellent optical quality, that exceed the forming limits and dimensional accuracy of what has previously been possible.

Abstract: The laminated glazing proposed in this invention has an outer glass layer (201) with holes (20) and a thin inner facing glass layer (202) with shorter length dimension whereas the bottom edge (30) does not have holes on it and which does not overlap with the holes (20) in the outer glass layer (201). One or more retention layers (36), comprising reinforcement and adhesive layers, serve to connect the glazing mounting means (32) to both of the glass layers (201, 202) providing a thin laminated glazing with holes (20) that in the event of failure is retained by the mounting means (32).

Abstract: One of the problems is the reduction in interior areas and surfaces where various types of devices can be mounted. To address this issue more and more of these devices are being integrated with the glazing. Laminated glazing is especially suitable for thin devices. Today, laminated glazing is produced with heating elements, antennas, lighting, touch sensors, RFID, electronic blinds and other types of devices integrated as a permanent part of the glazing. The invention comprises an automotive laminate with a thin integrated electroacoustic transducer integrated in the glazing.

Abstract: Method for manufacturing a flush vehicle glazing that allows to achieve a perfect alignment between the adjacent sections of the glazing vehicle area in the final assembled product by providing a vehicle glass panel which comprise at least two adjacent sections of the vehicle glazing area in one single panel, followed by bending the vehicle glass panel and LASER cutting before cooling thereof.

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: Glass laminates, comprising more than one glass composition, are becoming increasingly common as the industry moves towards lighter and stronger glazing. Bending dissimilar glass compositions can present problems. A mismatch in the glass viscosity curves, especially in the viscoelastic region of the compositions can result in one layer becoming softer than one of the other layers during the thermal bending process. As a result, economical processes, such as gravity or press bending in which multiple glass layers are simultaneously bent, may not be practical to use forcing the use of more expensive single glass layer bending processes. By thermal treatment processes the fictive temperature of at least one of the glass compositions prior to bending can be shifted to better match the other compositions allowing the glass layers to be simultaneously bent.

Abstract: The use of camera based automotive safety systems is growing at a rapid rate. As the industry moves towards full autonomous capability, the resolution and number of cameras required is increasing. At the same time windshields, behind which many of the cameras are mounted, are becoming larger and more complex. Achieving acceptable optical quality can be challenging due to continually evolving optical requirements generated by the rapid development of camera systems and processing algorithms as well as variations in the index of refraction, curvature, bend, thickness, and other variables. The laminate of the disclosure has a portion of the inner glass layer removed in the camera field of view and replaced with a high optical quality insert bonded to the glass. This allows for much greater optical quality, while retaining durability and functionality of a standard laminate.

Abstract: Strengthened glass substrates with glass fits and methods for forming the same are disclosed. According to one embodiment, the present invention provides a glass frit with a coefficient of thermal expansion less than or equal to the coefficient of thermal expansion of the glass substrate where it is going to be painted. The glass frit of the present invention has similar ion exchange properties to the glass substrate that is going to be used to paint with the glass frit allowing the glass substrate to be ion-exchanged. The glass frit of the present invention is mixed with an organic carrier.

Abstract: The laminated glass panoramic roof is a popular although expensive option offered on a growing number of automobiles. Much of its appeal comes from the sleek modern appearance that it gives to the vehicle. The opaque laminated vehicle roof, by removing vision and optical requirements can be produced at a lower cost. The opaque laminated roof, by retaining a glass outer surface, maintains the same exterior appearance, aesthetic and much of the appeal of a conventional laminated glass panoramic roof. The opaque laminated vehicle roof also allows for the use of alternate materials which can further reduce cost and weight while adding additional features such as installation hardware, fasteners, lighting, antennas and solar cells to the roof.

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: Automotive glazing, with electrically controlled light transmittance, has been available for a number of years. Growth has been steady as the public recognizes the added utility provided. While a number of means of implementation are in use, all require a set of electrodes spanning opposite faces of the switchable portion of the glazing. As automotive electronic content has proliferated and the glazed area of the vehicle has increased, it is becoming more and more of a problem finding a suitable location for the controls, for the switchable glazing as well as for other functions. By structuring the electrodes, touch sensitive regions can be formed on the laminate and utilized for control.

Abstract: Laminated glazings with embedded wire circuits, have many uses. But, due to the higher cost of manufacture, they are not widely used. This invention provides a process to reduce the cost of production for embedded wire laminated glazing. Rather than embedding the wire one interlayer at a time, several circuits are produced on the same sheet, cut out and then inserted into the interlayer of each separate laminate during assembly, reducing the direct labor and capital investment required.

Abstract: Due to the increased glazed area of modern vehicles, especially the large panoramic glass roofs, we have seen a substantial growth in the use of anti-reflective coatings. Unfortunately, these types of coatings accentuate fingerprints and smudges. The invention provides an automotive glazing which is substantially resistant to fingerprints, and a method of manufacture thereof through the application of an anti-fingerprint coating based on low surface energy silanes.