Abstract:
The invention relates to an interior-trimming window ( 9 ) forming a panel ( 13 ) including at least one translucent wall ( 17, 19 ) and at least one polarizable film which is applied onto the wall ( 17, 19 ) and which is to vary the degree to which the panel ( 13 ) is opaque. The interior trimming window ( 9 ) further includes a device for applying a voltage to the polarizable film, wherein the voltage application device includes at least one printed circuit provided with a flexible portion, the printed circuit being connected to a power supply circuit. A portion of the printed circuit is arranged beyond the area opposite the first outer surface ( 15 ) of the panel ( 13 ), said portion being rigid and/or flexible.

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
       [0001]    The present invention concerns an interior trim window comprising a polarizable film arranged to vary the degree of obscuration of the light crossing said window. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    It is known to use a window comprising a polarizable film. The polarizable film is disposed over an inner layer of the window and is arranged to vary the degree of opacity of the window. 
         [0003]    The degree of opacity of the window may vary from transparency to full opacity. For this purpose, the polarizable film comprises at least one polarized conductive layer. This polarized conductive layer is subjected to a power supply. The power variation of the power supply causes the variation of the degree of opacity. Thus, it is possible to adjust the light intensity crossing the window. This system is satisfactory in that the degree of opacity of the window may be adjusted according to the external brightness. 
         [0004]    However, such a system also comprises a remote control sub-assembly. The control sub-assembly is arranged to electrically supply the conductive layer and to vary the voltage. The control sub-assembly comprises also additional members such as adjusting buttons of the degree of opacity. 
         [0005]    Thus, it seems difficult to replace an existing window, devoid of a polarizable film, with a window comprising a polarizable film. Indeed, a structure for docking a window which is intended to a window devoid of a polarizable film, will not necessarily comprise enough space to insert a window with a polarizable film. 
         [0006]    Moreover, although a dedicated docking structure comprises a location corresponding to a window with a polarizable film, joining and maintaining the remote control sub-assembly may be complex. In particular, the accessibility to the control sub-assembly may require long maintenance operations, whether for repairing an element of the control sub-assembly or for replacing said sub-assembly with a new sub-assembly. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY 
       [0007]    The present invention aims to resolve all or part of the above-mentioned drawbacks. 
         [0008]    In the present text, the verbs join , connect , link , supply and their derivatives relate to an electrical communication between two distinct components. 
         [0009]    For this purpose, the present invention concerns an interior trim window forming a panel comprising at least one translucent wall and at least one polarizable film applied onto the wall and intended to modify the degree of opacity of the panel. 
         [0010]    The interior trim window further comprises a device for applying voltage to the polarizable film, the voltage applying device comprising at least one printed circuit provided with a flexible portion, the printed circuit and being linked to a power supply circuit. 
         [0011]    The polarizable film comprises a plurality of superimposed layers having at least two conductive layers surrounding a layer made of polarizable material, the conductive layers being linked to the voltage applying device by at least one conductive track. 
         [0012]    A portion of the printed circuit is disposed beyond the area facing the first exterior face of the panel, said portion being rigid and/or flexible. 
         [0013]    According to one aspect of the invention, the interior trim window comprises a conductive track linked to a conductive layer of the polarizable film by bonding. 
         [0014]    The bonding ensures a robust electrical link between the conductive track and the conductive layer. 
         [0015]    According to one aspect of the invention, the polarizable film comprises a connection location having a contact area belonging to at least one conductive layer. 
         [0016]    Preferably, each conductive layer comprises at least one contact area. 
         [0017]    According to one aspect of the invention, the interior trim window comprises a first electrical link member presenting an exterior shape complementary to the connection location, the first electrical link member being applied onto the printed circuit. 
         [0018]    According to one aspect of the invention, the interior trim window comprises control elements of the device for applying voltage to the polarizable film, the control elements being disposed so as to be operable by a contact on a first exterior face of the panel. 
         [0019]    Preferably, the control elements comprise inductive and/or capacitive type touch keys. 
         [0020]    According to one aspect of the invention, the interior trim window, the control elements are integrated into the flexible portion of the printed circuit. 
         [0021]    According to one aspect of the invention, the interior trim window comprises signaling elements. 
         [0022]    The signaling elements are intended to report on the transparency state of the polarizable film. 
         [0023]    According to one aspect of the invention, the signaling elements comprise light elements. 
         [0024]    According to one aspect of the invention, the light elements are provided with light-emitting diodes. 
         [0025]    According to one aspect of the invention, the light-emitting diodes are applied onto the flexible portion of the printed circuit. 
         [0026]    According to one aspect of the invention, the flexible portion of the printed circuit comprises a processing unit arranged to drive the adjustment of the degree of opacity of the panel. 
         [0027]    According to one aspect of the invention, the flexible portion of the printed circuit extends opposite the first exterior face of the panel. 
         [0028]    According to one aspect of the invention, said portion of the printed circuit is rigid and comprises the voltage applying device. 
         [0029]    The present invention concerns also a polarizable window system comprising a receiving cassette, and a trim window, the receiving cassette comprising a housing intended to receive at least part of the device for applying voltage to the polarizable film. 
         [0030]    Through the arrangements according to the invention, the window constitutes an industrializable assembly, which does not require complex manufacturing steps, and which may form a self-contained assembly intended to be integrated to a support structure and linked to a power supply source. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0031]    In any case, the invention will be well understood through the following description with reference to the annexed schematic drawing representing, as a non limiting example, an embodiment of this window. 
           [0032]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a receiving cassette of a window, according to a first embodiment. 
           [0033]      FIG. 2  is a front view of the receiving cassette of the window, according to the first embodiment. 
           [0034]      FIG. 3  is a side view of the receiving cassette of the window, according to the first embodiment. 
           [0035]      FIG. 4  is a front view of an interior trim window comprising a polarizable film, according to the first embodiment. 
           [0036]      FIG. 5  is a sectional view of the interior trim window comprising a control sub-assembly, according to the first embodiment. 
           [0037]      FIG. 6  is a perspective view of the interior trim window, according to the first embodiment. 
           [0038]      FIG. 7  is a perspective view of the control sub-assembly, according to the first embodiment. 
           [0039]      FIG. 8  is a sectional view of a panel of the interior trim window. 
           [0040]      FIG. 9  is a sectional view of a polarizable film, according to the first embodiment. 
           [0041]      FIG. 10  is a sectional view of a bonding of a conductive track to a polarizable film, according to the first embodiment. 
           [0042]      FIG. 11  is a sectional view of the interior trim window comprising a control sub-assembly, according to a second embodiment. 
           [0043]      FIG. 12  is a front view of the receiving cassette of the window, according to the second embodiment. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0044]    As illustrated in  FIGS. 1 to 3  and according to the first embodiment, a polarizable window system  1  for an aircraft comprises a receiving cassette  3  for a window. An opening  5  is arranged in the receiving cassette  3 . The system  1  comprises also an exterior structural window  7  and an interior trim window  9 . 
         [0045]    The exterior structural window  7  is situated on the side of the receiving cassette  3  overlooking the exterior of the aircraft and the interior trim window  9  is situated on the side of the receiving cassette  3  overlooking the interior of the aircraft. The exterior structural window  7  is distant from the interior trim window  9 . 
         [0046]    The system  1  further comprises a maintaining ring  11  of the interior trim window  9  in a housing  10  of the receiving cassette  3 . The maintaining ring  11  presents a shape corresponding to the contour of the interior trim window  9 . 
         [0047]    The maintaining ring  11  is provided with a removable fixing member on the receiving cassette  3 . The maintaining ring  11  is arranged to maintain in position the interior trim window  9  when the removable fixing member secures the maintaining ring  11  to the receiving cassette  3 . 
         [0048]    As illustrated in  FIG. 4 , the interior trim window  9  comprises a panel  13 . The panel  13  is substantially flat and presents an ovoid-shaped contour. The panel  13  comprises a plurality of layers and has a thickness resulting from the staking of said layers. 
         [0049]    We may thus distinguish a first exterior face  15  of the panel  13  overlooking the interior of the aircraft and a second exterior face of the panel  13  being opposite the exterior structural window  7 . 
         [0050]    The panel  13  comprises a plurality of layers. The panel  3  comprises tow extreme walls  17 ,  19  constituted by a translucent material. According to the presented embodiment, the translucent material is a polycarbonate. 
         [0051]    The panel  13  comprises an inner layer  21  surrounded by the walls  17 ,  19 . The inner layer  21  is secured to the walls  17 ,  19 , the securing being carried out by a transparent adhesive layer  24 . 
         [0052]    As illustrated in  FIGS. 5 and 8 , the inner layer  21  comprises at least one polarizable film  23 . According to the first embodiment, the inner layer  21  comprises two superimposed polarizable films  23 . A transparent adhesive layer  24  ensures the securing together the two polarizable films  23 . 
         [0053]    Each polarizable film  23  constitutes a thickness of the inner layer  21  and extends opposite the exterior faces  15  of the interior trim window  9 . 
         [0054]    As illustrated in  FIG. 9 , each polarizable film  23  comprises two transparent conductive layers  25  between which there is a layer of a polarizable material  27 . The conductive layers  25  extend also opposite the exterior faces  15  of the interior trim window  9 . 
         [0055]    According to the first embodiment, the polarizable material layer  27  is of the          suspended particle device          type. The polarizable material layer  27  is arranged to change the degree of opacity according to the power supply imposed on said material by the two conductive layers  25  that surround it. The opacity is obtained by a polarization of said material, the polarization varying according to the power supply subjected to the two conductive layers  25 . 
         [0056]    The conductive layers  25  are surrounded by transparent insulating layers  29 . According to the first embodiment, the transparent insulating layers  29  are made of polyimide. 
         [0057]    As illustrated in  FIGS. 1 to 6 , the ovoid shape of the interior trim window  9  presents a main direction of extension  31 . A first  33  and a second  35  ends of the interior trim window  9  are defined according to the main direction of extension  31 . 
         [0058]    At the first end  33  of the interior trim window  9 , the inner layer  21  comprises a connection station  37 , as illustrated in  FIGS. 6 and 7 . The connection station  37  comprises a connection location  39  arranged along the thickness of the inner layer  21 . 
         [0059]    The connection station  37  comprises contact areas  41  intended to the power supply of the conductive layers  25 . Each conductive layer  25  comprises a contact area  41 . 
         [0060]    As illustrated in  FIGS. 6 and 7 , the interior trim window  9  further comprises a control sub-assembly  43 . The control sub-assembly  43  is applied onto the first end  33  of the interior trim window  9 . 
         [0061]    The maintaining ring  11  is facing the control sub-assembly  43  so that the maintaining ring  11  carries out a cowling of the control sub-assembly  43  with respect to the interior of the aircraft. 
         [0062]    The control sub-assembly  43  comprises a first electrical link member  45  and a second electrical link member  47 . The first  45  and the second  47  link members are made of flexible material. The control sub-assembly  43  is situated between the walls  17 ,  19 , except the second electrical link member  47  which extends towards the exterior of the interior trim window  9 . 
         [0063]    The first electrical link member  45  presents an exterior shape complementary to the connection location  39 . The first electrical link member  45  is secured to the docking station by bonding. 
         [0064]    As illustrated in  FIG. 10 , the first electrical connection member  45  comprises connection terminals  49  to the contact areas  41  of the connection station  37 . The bonding  51  allows both securing the control sub-assembly  43  to the connection station  37  and electrically linking the contact areas  41  to the connection terminals  49 .  FIG. 10  illustrates a bonding  51  between a conductive layer  25  and a connection terminal  49  of the first electrical connection member  45 . 
         [0065]    As illustrated in  FIGS. 6 and 7 , the first electrical connection member  45  comprises two side strips  53 . 
         [0066]    The second electrical connection member  47  extends outside the area facing the walls  17 ,  19  unlike the rest of the control sub-assembly  43 , as illustrated in  FIG. 7 . The second connection member  47  extends substantially parallel to the exterior faces  15  of the panel  13 . The second connection member  47  comprises a connection element to a power supply circuit. 
         [0067]    As illustrated in  FIG. 7 , the control sub-assembly  43  comprises a flexible electrical circuit  55 . The electrical circuit  55  further comprises a processing unit  57 . According to the first embodiment, the processing unit  57  is a microprocessor. The microprocessor is arranged in the flexible electrical circuit  55 . 
         [0068]    The control sub-assembly  43  comprises a device  59  for applying a voltage to the terminals of the first connection member, the device being arranged in the flexible electrical circuit. The voltage applying device is linked to an external power supply by the second connection member. 
         [0069]    The microprocessor and the voltage applying device  59  are connected, the microprocessor being arranged to drive the voltage applying device  59  so that the voltage applying device  59  varies the power supply to the terminals  49  of the first electrical link member  45 . As illustrated in  FIG. 10 , the voltage applying device  59  is electrically linked to the first link member  45  by conductive tracks  61 , the conductive tracks  61  being disposed in a conductive portion  60  of the flexible electrical circuit  55 . The electrical circuit  55  also comprises an insulting portion  62 . 
         [0070]    The control sub-assembly  43  also comprises control elements  63  applied onto the flexible electrical circuit  55 . The control elements  63  are linked to the microprocessor so as to allow a user to adjust the power supply of the conductive layers  25 . 
         [0071]    The control elements  63  comprise touch keys  65  arranged to be controlled by the user through the first wall  17 , the touch keys  65  being activated by contact with an area of the first exterior face  15  facing the touch button  65 . The touch keys  65  comprise inductive and/or capacitive sensors. 
         [0072]    The control elements  63  comprise a first touch key  67  for the increase of the degree of opacity of the interior trim window  9 , a second touch key  69  for the decrease of said degree of opacity and a third touch key  71  allowing at each press to alternate between a total opacity and the transparency of the interior trim window  9 . 
         [0073]    The control sub-assembly  43  also comprises signaling elements  73  applied onto the flexible electrical circuit  55 . The signaling elements  73  comprise light-emitting diodes  75  visible through the first wall  17 , as illustrated in  FIG. 7 . 
         [0074]    The light-emitting diodes  75  are electrically linked to the microprocessor. The microprocessor is arranged to drive the illumination of the light-emitting diodes  75  according to the degree of opacity of the window. The number of illuminated light-emitting diodes  75  varies according to the degree of opacity of the interior trim window  9 , the more opaque the interior trim window  9  is, the larger the number of illuminated light-emitting diodes  75 . 
         [0075]    The control sub-assembly  43  also comprises a screen printing  77  disposed on the flexible electrical circuit  55 , as illustrated in  FIG. 7 . The screen printing  77  comprises indications intended for the user in order to specify the location of the touch keys  65  and their role. Openings are arranged in the screen printing to let the light-emitting diodes  75  apparent. 
         [0076]    As illustrated in  FIGS. 11 and 12 , according to a second embodiment, the electrical circuit  55  has a portion outside the area facing the walls  17 ,  19 . The electronic circuit  55  is partially rigid and partially flexible. 
         [0077]    The rigid portion of the electronic circuit comprises the second electrical link member  47 . The rigid portion of the electronic circuit  55  also comprises the processing unit  57  and the voltage applying device  59  for the transmission of electrical power to the conductive layers  25 . 
         [0078]    The flexible portion comprises the first electrical link member  45 , the control elements  63  and the signaling elements  73 . 
         [0079]    The conductive tracks  61  are comprised both in the rigid portion and in the flexible portion. 
         [0080]    Only the characteristics of the second embodiment different from the elements of the first embodiment are described below. The identical characteristics are not repeated. 
         [0081]    The interior trim window  9  described above has advantages due to its design. The control sub-assembly  43  is applied onto the panel  13  of the interior trim window  9 . The insertion of the interior trim window  9  into the housing  10  of the receiving cassette  3  is facilitated. 
         [0082]    The installation of the interior trim window  9  in the receiving cassette  3  is quick and simple: this is done by simply positioning the interior trim window  9  in the dedicated location of the receiving cassette  3 , joining the second electrical link member  47  to a power supply source and securing the interior trim window  9  with the maintaining ring  11 . 
         [0083]    For the maintenance operations, in particular in case of dysfunction in the adjustment of the opacity, the replacement of the defective interior trim window  9  by another interior trim window  9  turns out to be simple too thanks to the integration of the control sub-assembly  43  into the interior trim window  9 . 
         [0084]    The interior trim window  9  is also reliable because the control sub-assembly  43  is protected from the external environment by the maintaining ring  11 . 
         [0085]    Moreover, the electrical joining by bonding of the first electrical link member  45  to the connection station  41  is resistant. The risk of breakdown of the electrical connection is low. 
         [0086]    It goes without saying that the invention is not limited to the sole embodiment of this system, described above as an example, it encompasses on the contrary all the variants.