Patent Description:
Head-up display (HUD) systems are used in vehicle to provide an image that a driver may see without averting their eyes from the windshield in front of them. HUD systems may typically include a projector which may project an image to be reflected off of a windshield, such that the driver may see a virtual image(s). A windshield, however, has two reflective glass surfaces which may each reflect an image from a projector. The multiple reflections may have varying intensities where a weaker image reflection may appear as a "ghost" image, which may be hazy and less clear than the other image.

Wedge-shaped polymer interlayers have been used to address this problem by aligning the two images such that there is a single image observed by a driver. However, the wedge shape is not adjustable, and the images are aligned only for drivers of a particular height. There is a need in the art for a widely applicable solution for HUD displays. Particularly, there is a need for drivers of any height to see an image and for the ability to use multiple projectors to create a more complex display.

<CIT> describes fluorescent displays manufactured by lamination of at least one film containing a polyvinyl acetal and, optionally, a plasticizer and at least one additional film containing a polyvinyl acetal and at least one plasticizer between two glass panes, wherein prior to lamination, film the first film contains less than <NUM> wt. % plasticizer and contains <NUM> to <NUM> wt. % fluorophores, and the second film contains at least <NUM> wt. % plasticizer and contains <NUM>-<NUM> wt. % UV absorber.

<CIT> describes a display system which includes at least one light emitting material having an absorption band carried on a support, wherein the support is a laminated article having a first ply and a second ply; and a projection assembly having an electromagnetic radiation source, the projection assembly configured to direct radiation of one or more selected wavelengths within the absorption band of the light emitting material toward the light emitting material to cause at least a portion of the light emitting material to emit light.

Disclosed herein is a glazing as set out in the appended claim <NUM>, which may include a glazing, comprising a first glass substrate having first and second surfaces, a second glass substrate having third and fourth surfaces, a polymer interlayer laminated between the first and second substrates, and a coating including a first luminescent material and being applied on one of the third and fourth surfaces of the second glass substrate.

Disclosed herein are exemplary aspects of a glazing having a luminescent coating. In the following description, for purposes of explanation, specific details are set forth in order to promote a thorough understanding of one or more aspects of the disclosure. It may be evident in some or all instances, however, that many aspects described below can be practiced without adopting the specific design details described below.

Embodiments disclosed herein may be used for automotive glazings, including, without limitation, windshields, rear windows, side windows, sunroofs, and any other appropriate glass surface. As shown in <FIG> and the following drawings, the term "S1" refers to a first surface of a first glass substrate <NUM>, or namely, the exterior glass surface in an automotive application. The term "S4" refers to a fourth surface of a second glass substrate <NUM>, or namely, the interior glass substrate surface of a laminated automotive glass product. The term "S2" designates a second surface of the first glass substrate <NUM> opposite the surface S1, and the term "S3" designates a third surface of the second glass substrate <NUM> opposite the surface S4. In a laminated glass product, S2 and S3 may be a part of the laminate interior, facing one another. S2 may be an interior glass substrate surface in an automotive construction having a single glass substrate, including a tempered glass substrate.

According to some aspects of the present disclosure, a coating may have luminescent capabilities. It may be preferable, in some embodiments, that a luminescent capability is provided by a fluorescent or phosphorescent material, which may include particles and/or dyes.

Referring to <FIG>, a laminated glazing <NUM> for a vehicle windshield in this disclosure may include both a first glass substrate <NUM> and a second glass substrate <NUM>. The first glass substrate <NUM> may face a vehicle exterior and include surfaces S1 and S2. The second glass substrate <NUM> may face a vehicle interior and include surfaces S3 and S4. The first and second glass substrates <NUM> and <NUM> may be initially flat and heat treated (e.g., thermally tempered, heat bent, and /or heat strengthened), typically at temperatures of at least <NUM>, and more preferably at least about <NUM>. During heat treatment, in some embodiments, the glass substrates <NUM> and <NUM> may be bent to a desired curved shape for a particular glazing application. Glass bending may preferably occur at temperatures from <NUM> to <NUM>, more preferably from <NUM> to <NUM>.

A polymer interlayer <NUM>, which may include polyvinyl butyral (PVB), any other suitable polymer-based laminating material, including ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA), or an ionomer material, may be provided to laminate glass substrates <NUM> and <NUM> together. Lamination may include autoclaving, where the glass substrates <NUM> and <NUM>, having the polymer interlayer <NUM> therebetween, may be heated to at least one laminating temperature under at least one laminating pressure (for example, without limitation, <NUM> to <NUM> and <NUM> to <NUM> bar) to laminate the glass substrates <NUM>, <NUM> and form the vehicle windshield <NUM> or another laminated window product such as a sunroof, side window, quarter window or rear window.

Light sources, such as a light emitting devices, light projectors, and display devices, including head-up displays (HUDs), may be used with some glazings in a vehicle, such as windshields, rear windows, glass sunroofs, quarter windows and side windows. In <FIG>, a light source <NUM> is illustrated as arranged below the laminated glazing <NUM>. In a HUD system, a transparent display may be used for showing data without requiring a vehicle driver to look away from a usual field of view. The transparent display may include an actual image displayed on a glazing. The light source may be a simple LED device or multiple LED devices to indicate signals, signs, messages, images, or any other perceivable objects for either or both of the interior and exterior of the glazing. The light source may be mounted inside a dashboard as to emit the light ray in a vertical fashion. The light source further may be placed inside a trim component as to shield the source device from viewer's eyes. A trim component, or an interior trim, may be provided in a vehicle to cover some parts and wirings in a passenger compartment and may be generally attached to a cabin surface with a fastener such as screw. The light source may be arranged behind a black print area when viewing from the vehicle outside. In embodiments described herein, a coating may be used to display a light projection. A light source and a coating may be any distance from each other. In some embodiments, a lightweight LED device may be attached directly to the surface of the coating or a short distance away from the surface of the coating. The light source may particularly be attached directly to the coating surface or a short distance from the coating surface where a display is directed toward a vehicle exterior.

Among other features, in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure, a coating <NUM>, being luminescent upon excitement of the coating is provided to produce an image at a coated glazing. In particular embodiments, the coating may be excited by a projected light to provide an image for an observer inside or outside of a vehicle. The coating <NUM> is applied on at least the surface S4 of the glass substrate <NUM>.

Some glazings may include functional interlayers or coatings, such as an infrared reflecting (IRR) coating or low-emissivity (low-E) coating. IRR coatings may include metallic layers, which may be silver. Some functional coatings may be provided on glass surface S2 or S3, where, in a laminated glazing, the coating may be protected from elements where it is laminated between glass substrates. As shown in <FIG>, certain functional coatings <NUM> may be provided on the glass surface S4 of the second glass substrate <NUM> of the laminated glazing <NUM>. Some functional coatings have a suitable durability to be provided on glass surface S1 or S4. A coating may preferably be silicon dioxide based and may include functional elements, including ultraviolet light (UV) absorbing, infrared absorbing (IRA) and/or IRR materials. For example, the silicon dioxide-based material in the coatings may be sintered from a silica binder containing tetra-alkoxysilane, tri-alkoxysilane or a combination thereof. Such coatings are described in <CIT> and <CIT>.

The coating <NUM> of the present disclosure includes a luminescent, such as fluorescent or phosphorescent, material. The luminescent material may be any suitable form, including particles or dyes, organic or inorganic, which may be part of the coating <NUM>. The luminescent material may, in some embodiments, be soluble in plastics, inks, or other coating bases. For example, luminescent particles or dyes may be dissolved in a coating base to provide a luminescent coating. In some embodiments, the luminescent material may be equally distributed in a coating base. The amount of luminescent material in the luminescent coating <NUM> may affect the intensity of light from excitation of the coating <NUM>. A greater concentration of luminescent materials may provide a more intense luminescent response to light excitation. The luminescent material may be any suitable material, including nitrides such as (SrCa)AlSiN<NUM>: Eu<NUM>+, oxides such as Y<NUM>Al<NUM>O<NUM>: Ce<NUM>+ and Lu<NUM>Al<NUM>O<NUM>: Ce<NUM>+, II-VI semiconductor compounds such as zinc sulfide, cadmium sulfide, zinc selenide, cadmium selenide, zinc telluride and cadmium telluride, and organic compounds such as dialkyl-dihydroxy-terephthalate. Where luminescent materials are provided as particles, the particles may preferably be less than <NUM> in diameter, more preferably less than <NUM>, and even more preferably less than <NUM>. The luminescent material may be excitable, such that when treated by a particular light wavelength, for example, the luminescent material is illuminated. The luminescent material may preferably be excitable by light wavelength in a range of <NUM> - <NUM>. It may be preferable that the luminescent material illuminates when treated with a wavelength less than or equal to <NUM>, more preferably less than or equal to <NUM>, and even more preferably less than or equal to <NUM>. In some embodiments, the luminescent material may be broadband excitable such that the material may illuminate for a range of light wavelengths. Preferably, the luminescent coating <NUM> is transparent, such that without an exciting source, there is light transmission of preferably at least <NUM>%, more preferably at least <NUM>%.

In further embodiments, there may be more than one luminescent material in a coating or multiple luminescent coatings. For example, the coating <NUM> may include more than one type of fluorescent material such that each fluorescent material may be reactive to a same or different light wavelength. Multiple luminescent materials may be intermixed or provided in a particular pattern within the coating <NUM>. Where multiple luminescent materials exhibit different excitation colors, the colors may combine to provide a different color to an observer's eye when excited. In certain embodiments, additional luminescent materials may be provided in an additional coating, such that the glazing may have two or more luminescent coatings which may react to the same or different light wavelengths. Where there is more than one luminescent coating, the coatings may be on the same or different glass surfaces and may or may not overlap with one another. A first luminescent coating and a second luminescent coating may be arranged to overlap or arranged so as to not overlap with each other.

A coating base may be any suitable material. In some embodiments, it may be preferable that a coating base is applicable to an outer glass surface, as shown in <FIG>. In further embodiments, the coating <NUM> may be laminated within a glazing, such as on S3, and exposure to elements is limited by the glazing substrates, as shown in <FIG> (which is not according to the present invention). In particular embodiments, the coating base may be a silicon dioxide-based material, which may optionally be sintered from a silica binder containing tetra-alkoxysilane, tri-alkoxysilane or combinations thereof. In some embodiments, the coating may further include a polymer resin, such as epoxy, silicone, vinyl ester, polyvinyl butyral, polyvinyl alcohol, urethane and/or combinations thereof. It may be preferable that a coating base provide moisture protection for luminescent materials dissolved therein to maintain suitable quantum efficiency of the luminescent material. Preferably, the coating <NUM> may withstand temperature and pressure of an autoclaving process, such that the coating may be applied prior to completion of a lamination process for laminated glazings. In further embodiments, the coating may be applied after lamination or to a single glass substrate, as the coating <NUM> may be provided on or in laminated or non-laminated glazings. A coating having luminescent material may be applied to the glazing by any suitable means, including spin, flow or spray applications known in the art. The coating may then be fired or cured. In a certain embodiment, the coating may be cured based on a sol-gel process. In some embodiments where the glazing having a luminescent coating is laminated, the coating may be cured during an autoclaving process. In certain embodiments, the coating base may be clear or colored.

According to some embodiments, the laminated glazing <NUM> may be used with a projector <NUM> serving as a light source to provide a HUD system or other projected displays, as shown in <FIG>. The projector <NUM> may preferably direct light <NUM> in a wavelength or wavelengths to excite the luminescent coating <NUM> which may illuminate. The projected image <NUM> may relate directly to the image <NUM> created at the coating <NUM> such that the projection resolution may be the same or substantially the same as the image resolution. Preferably, the light <NUM> projected onto the glazing is less than or equal to <NUM>, more preferably less than or equal to <NUM>, and even more preferably less than or equal to <NUM>. It may be preferable that the emitted light <NUM> is not visible prior to reaching the luminescent coating <NUM> as described herein. It may be preferable in some embodiments that the projector <NUM> emits more than one light wavelength. In further embodiments, more than one projector may be used to project an image, and the projectors may have the same or different light wavelengths emitted therefrom. In certain embodiments, the image formed is a real image on the glazing, such that the image seen by an observer, including a driver or exterior pedestrian, appears at the glazing.

Luminescent coatings <NUM> may be used for non-HUD projections as well. The luminescent coating <NUM> may, for example, be used on an automotive glazing to provide information to a vehicle passenger or an observer from outside the vehicle. The coating <NUM> may thus be on any suitable glazing, such as a windshield, a side window, rear window, partition, or sunroof.

In some embodiments, the luminescent coating <NUM> may be applied to a laminated or non-laminated glazing. Where the coating <NUM> is applied to the laminated glazing <NUM>, it may be preferable that the coating <NUM> is provided on S3 or S4, more preferably on S4. The coating <NUM> may preferably be provided on a surface of the interior glass substrate <NUM>, such that the luminescent coating <NUM> may be between the projector and a polymer interlayer material <NUM>, which may include UV absorbers. The UV absorbers may interfere with UV wavelength light <NUM> reaching and exciting a luminescent coating <NUM>. Further, the illuminated image <NUM> produced may be clearer where the light <NUM> travels less through the glazing <NUM>. Light may lose intensity where it travels through a glass substrate <NUM> before reaching a driver. Where the luminescent material is provided in a coating, rather than a polymer interlayer, the layer of luminescent material may be thinner, as a coating is less thick than a polymer interlayer, which may create a sharper image. In a polymer interlayer, the luminescent materials may be dispersed throughout the interlayer, increasing the depth of the luminescence when excited. Where the luminescent coating <NUM> is on a non-laminated glazing, the coating <NUM> may preferably be on S2. Further, the luminescent coating <NUM> may provide a broad angle of view due to angular light dispersion from the coating <NUM>.

In certain embodiments, as shown in <FIG>, a UV absorbing coating <NUM> may be provided under the luminescent coating <NUM>, such that the UV absorbing coating <NUM> is between the luminescent coating <NUM> and the glass substrate <NUM>. The UV absorbing coating may contain, without limitations, triazine-base, benzophenone-based, benzotriazole-based absorption materials and/or combinations thereof. Light projected towards the coated glazing may be in a UV wavelength range to excite the luminescent coating <NUM>. The UV absorbing coating <NUM> may reduce the UV light that may be reflected into a vehicle from the glazing as the UV light is absorbed by the UV absorbing coating <NUM> prior to reaching a reflective glass surface S4. The UV absorbing coating <NUM> may be any suitable coating, including silicon dioxide-based coatings. In some embodiments, the luminescent coating <NUM> may have further functional properties, including IRR, IRA, and/or UV absorbing capabilities. Further, in a non-laminated glazing without a UV absorbing interlayer, the UV absorbing coating <NUM> may reduce UV light which may reach a glazing exterior through the glazing. In another embodiment, the glazing may include an interlayer having a UV absorbing function for particularly absorbing sunlight, thereby reducing occurrences of excitation due to radiation of the sunlight.

A glazing having a luminescent coating <NUM>, as disclosed herein, may further, in some embodiments, include a switchable film, such as a polymer dispersed liquid crystal (PDLC), polymer network liquid crystal (PNLC), or suspended particle device (SPD). Liquid crystal materials may include liquid crystals droplets in a polymer matrix. In an OFF state, without any electrical current applied thereto, the liquid crystal droplets may be in a random arrangement and provide an opaque, milky appearance. When an electrical current is applied to the switchable liquid crystal layer, the liquid crystals may align in a nematic orientation in the direction of the electric field. In such an ON state, the parallel orientation of the liquid crystals allows light to pass through and the liquid crystal layer becomes transparent. An SPD layer may include particles suspended in a fluid which provide a darkened color in an OFF state. Under electrical current in an ON state, the SPD layer may be transparent or more transparent than in an OFF state as the particles align, allowing light to pass through the film. The amount of light passing through the film may depend on the electric voltage applied thereto, as a higher voltage may provide a more transparent switchable layer. A "reverse" alignment is also possible, where the switchable material is transparent in an OFF state and opaque or darkened under electrical current in an ON state.

In a darkened (OFF) state, a switchable film may provide a darkened background behind the luminescent coating <NUM>, which may improve visibility of a display therefrom. A switchable film may be preferable such that the glazing may be selectively transparent or opaque. A projection on a luminescent coating <NUM> on the glazing may be visible whether the switchable film is in an OFF or ON state. However, the illuminated coating <NUM> may be brighter against a darkened background, i.e., where the switchable film is OFF.

<FIG> illustrates an embodiment of a glazing according to the disclosure herein installed to a vehicle <NUM>. The vehicle <NUM> may be a car having a large windshield <NUM> on a front side of a vehicle interior. The large windshield <NUM> may include a black print layer <NUM> formed in a frame like shape on a periphery area of the windshield <NUM>. The black print layer <NUM> may be made of a black ceramic enamel, typically printed on a glass surface and then fired to harden the print. The black print layer <NUM> may include an opening <NUM> and a luminescent coating (not shown) behind the opening <NUM>. In some embodiments, the opening <NUM> may be in an upper portion of the windshield <NUM> and may be positioned towards a corner of the windshield <NUM>. With this structure, the vehicle <NUM> may be capable of emitting light from the luminescent coating through the opening <NUM> formed in the black print layer <NUM>. The opening <NUM> may be located at a higher position than the head lamp of the vehicle and may be recognizable by pedestrians as well as drivers and passengers in another vehicle when illuminated. Where a vehicle <NUM> is in an autonomous operation mode, according to some embodiments, a controller of the vehicle may turn on the light source to excite the portion of the luminescent coating, thereby making the portion of the opening <NUM> bright to indicate the autonomous operation mode to people outside the vehicle <NUM>. A glazing print may include more than one opening. Each opening may have the same or different emitting colors to be used as signals. The opening <NUM> may be in any suitable location to provide information to a receiving party, including in a windshield, sunroof, side windows, and a rear window. Where an illumination is meant for pedestrians, it may be preferable to arrange to the illumination on the windshield or other portions such as side windows.

<FIG> shows another embodiment of a glazing arranged as a windshield <NUM> of a vehicle <NUM>. The windshield <NUM> may include a black print layer <NUM> formed in a periphery area of the windshield. A coating with a luminescent material may be formed across the entire area of the windshield <NUM> within the black print. When a light is radiated to a portion <NUM> inside the black print layer <NUM>, the portion may become bright to emit light outward and provide an illumination. Such light can be seen easily by pedestrians.

The vehicle <NUM> may including an illumination area at a quarter window <NUM>. The quarter window <NUM> may include a luminescent coating covering the entire surface of the quarter glass. Where the light source (not shown) is turned on, the entire area of the quarter window <NUM> may be brightened, or illuminated, to be seen by people outside the vehicle. The light may be projected to the quarter window <NUM> in a shape of a desired image to be formed on the quarter window <NUM>. Such a glass component may be placed in various sizes and locations on the surface of vehicles, as modified examples of this disclosure.

<FIG> (not according to the present invention) shows a cross section of a laminated glazing structure. The glazing <NUM> may have first and second glass substrates <NUM>, <NUM> and a polymer interlayer <NUM> provided between the first and second glass substrates <NUM>, <NUM>. A luminescent coating <NUM> may be provided on the surface S3 between the second glass substrate <NUM> and the polymer interlayer <NUM>. A black print layer <NUM> may be formed on the surface S4 of the second glass substrate <NUM>. Such a black print layer <NUM> may be arranged on a circumferential area surrounding a vehicle windshield, at the glazing periphery, and may include an opening to allow light ray passing through. In some embodiments, there may be more than one opening in the black print layer <NUM>. The openings may have the same or different shapes and sizes. Where multiple openings in the black print layer <NUM> align with a luminescent coating <NUM>, the openings may be used to provide different signals to an observer. With this glazing structure, a light source <NUM> may be provided near the laminated glazing as to illuminate in areas including the black print layer <NUM>. Some light may be blocked by the black print layer <NUM>, whereas other light may pass through the second glass substrate <NUM> and reach the luminescent coating <NUM> formed between the second glass substrate <NUM> and the polymer interlayer <NUM>. The light may excite the luminescent material in the luminescent coating <NUM> so as to emit light toward the surface S1 of the first glass substrate <NUM> or, namely, the exterior of the glazing.

<FIG> shows another structure with a black print layer <NUM>. According to certain embodiments herein, the black printer layer <NUM> may be provided between the surface S4 of the second glass substrate <NUM> and a luminescent coating <NUM>. The luminescent coating <NUM> may be coated locally over the area of the black print layer <NUM> and openings <NUM> within the black print layer <NUM>. The luminescent coating <NUM> may emit light upon reception of light from a light source (not shown), and some of the light may pass through the opening <NUM> in the black print layer <NUM> and further through the first and second glass substrates <NUM>, <NUM> to the exterior of the glazing. The emission pattern of the light may correspond to a pattern of an opening <NUM> in the black print layer <NUM> or the light displayed may correlate to a shape of projected light within the opening <NUM>. In some embodiments, an opening <NUM> in a black printer layer <NUM> may include a printed word or image to convey a message when illuminated by a luminescent coating <NUM>.

A structure shown in <FIG> is a modified embodiment of the structure shown in <FIG>. The black print layer <NUM> with the opening <NUM> may be formed between the first glass substrate <NUM> and the polymer interlayer <NUM>. The luminescent coating <NUM> may be provided over an area on the surface S4 of the second glass substrate <NUM>, in an area to align with the black print layer <NUM> and its opening <NUM>. Where the light source (not shown) is turned on, light is transmitted to the luminescent coating <NUM> and excites the luminescent material in the coating to generate illuminated light from the luminescent coating <NUM>. The excited light may be visible to the exterior, passing though the opening <NUM> formed in the black print layer <NUM>.

A structure shown in <FIG> is a further modified embodiment of the structure shown in <FIG>. The structure shown in <FIG> shows the luminescent coating <NUM> may be formed over the entire surface of the second glass substrate <NUM>.

<FIG> shows a cross section of another laminated glazing structure according to certain embodiments herein. The glazing <NUM> for vehicle may include first and second glass substrates <NUM>, <NUM> and a polymer interlayer106 provided between the first and second glass substrates <NUM>, <NUM>. A black print layer <NUM> with an opening <NUM> may be formed on the surface S4 of the second glass substrate <NUM>. The black print layer <NUM> may be covered with a UV absorbing layer <NUM> formed of an ultraviolet absorbing polymer or polymers for absorbing light scattered from the light source. The UV absorbing layer <NUM> may also provide an even surface for contacting the luminescent coating <NUM> for easy and accurate coating application. The UV absorbing layer <NUM> may further absorb the UV light reflected on the surface S4 and reduce the light which may otherwise be directed to the vehicle driver. When the light source (not shown) is turned on, the light may radiate to the luminescent coating <NUM>. The luminescent coating <NUM> may then be excited and emit light. Some light may pass through the black print layer <NUM> and emit to the exterior of the glazing. The black print layer <NUM> may have edges around an opening. The UV absorbing layer <NUM> may be formed over the black print layer <NUM> and provide an even surface for the luminescent coating <NUM>. An even luminescent coating <NUM> may reduce the unwanted scattering of light emitted from the luminescent coating <NUM>.

<FIG> (not according to the present invention) shows a cross section of a laminated glazing structure with a contact type LED light source <NUM>. The glazing <NUM> may have first and second glass substrates <NUM>, <NUM> and a polymer interlayer <NUM> provided between the first and second glass substrates <NUM>, <NUM>. A luminescent coating <NUM> may be provided on the surface S3 between the second glass substrate <NUM> and the polymer interlayer <NUM>. An LED <NUM> may be mounted on the surface S4 of the second glass substrate over a black print layer <NUM>. The LED <NUM> may emit one or more any suitable wavelengths including in an ultraviolet region. The black print layer <NUM> may have an opening <NUM> which light emitted from the LED <NUM> may pass through. Where the black print layer <NUM> is positioned between the luminescent coating <NUM> and the LED <NUM>, the LED light may only reach the luminescent coating <NUM> in an area aligned with the opening <NUM>, and the luminescent coating <NUM> may be excited only in such an area aligned with the opening <NUM>.

<FIG> shows another embodiment of a vehicle glazing. The glazing <NUM> may have the same structure as shown in <FIG>. An LED <NUM> may be arranged on a surface of the luminescent coating <NUM> at a position directly behind the black print layer <NUM> when seen from the exterior of the vehicle. The LED <NUM> may serve as a light source and may be arranged within a space formed inside a trim component <NUM>. The trim component <NUM> may be part of a vehicle to seal parts and wiring around a glazing and may be formed along a glazing edge and sections of a pillar and a dashboard without fastening member. The trim component <NUM> may further prevent light emitted from the LED <NUM> from scattering to the interior of the vehicle.

In some instances discussed herein which are not according to the present invention, as shown in <FIG>, the black print layer <NUM> may be formed on the surface S2 of the first glass substrate <NUM>, where the luminescent coating <NUM> may be provided between the polymer interlayer <NUM> and the surface S3 of the second glass substrate <NUM>. The polymer interlayer <NUM> may contain materials having UV absorbing property, such as triazine-base, benzophenone-based, benzotriazole-based absorption materials and/or combinations thereof, without limitation. Light emitted from the light source <NUM> may be directed toward a portion 211of the luminescent coating <NUM> within the black print, and light may be generated to be emitted toward the exterior and/or interior of the glazing from the luminescent coating <NUM>.

In some further embodiments, as shown in <FIG>, both of the black print layer <NUM> and the luminescent coating <NUM> may be formed on the surface S4 of the second glass substrate <NUM>. In this structure, the black print layer <NUM> may be covered with the luminescent coating <NUM>. The surface of the luminescent coating <NUM> may have a relatively flat surface by spin or spray coating or other suitable methods, thereby maintaining excellent optics for reducing the scattering of light passing therethrough. The light emitted from the light source <NUM> may radiate to the luminescent coating <NUM>, which may be excited to emit light toward the interior and/or exterior of the glazing.

<FIG> (not according to the present invention) shows a glazing utilizing a polarized light. Where the luminescent coating <NUM> made of SiO<NUM> is formed on the surface S4, the Brewster angle may be approximately <NUM> degrees where the light reaches the surface of the coating. If the luminescent coating <NUM> is formed on the surface S3 between the interlayer polymer <NUM> and the second glass substrate <NUM>, the Brewster angle may be approximately <NUM> degrees at the surface S4 of the second glass substrate. Where the excitation light is set to P-polarized light, reflection of the excitation light may be suppressed at boundaries, such as a boundary between air and glass where the luminescent layer is placed at the surface S3 or a boundary between air and luminescent layer where the luminescent layer is placed at the surface S4, in a broader range in comparison to non-P-polarized light excitation. Vehicle drivers may therefore be able to observe light excited at the luminescent layer without viewing excitation light reflected at the boundaries. Moreover, where the excitation light of the P-polarized light enters the glazing at the Brewster angle, the glazing may eliminate reflection of excitation light at the boundary, so that vehicle drivers may be protected from exposed to the UV light which may otherwise be reflected from the glazing toward a vehicle interior.

Claim 1:
A glazing (<NUM>), comprising:
a first glass substrate (<NUM>) having a first surface (S1) and a second surface (S2), wherein the first surface faces a vehicle exterior;
a second glass substrate (<NUM>) having a third surface (S3) and a fourth surface (S4), wherein the fourth surface faces a vehicle interior;
a polymer interlayer (<NUM>) laminated between the first and second substrates;
wherein the interlayer includes ultraviolet light absorbing materials and
a first coating (<NUM>) including a first luminescent material and being applied on the fourth surface (S4) of the second glass substrate (<NUM>); wherein the first coating (<NUM>) includes a base material in which the first luminescent materials are dispersed, and the base material comprises silicon dioxide;
wherein the first luminescent material is excited with light of a wavelength of <NUM> or shorter.