PATENT DOCUMENT

Publication Number: US-11186146-B1
Application Number: US-201916438891-A
Country: US
Kind Code: B1

Title: Laminated glazing

Abstract:
A laminated glazing includes a first glass layer, a second glass layer, an interlayer, and an optical coating layer. The interlayer is between the first glass layer and the second glass layer and has a first textured surface with a texture. The optical coating layer is between the interlayer and the second glass layer and includes an optical coating material. One or more of the texture or the optical coating material is different between an outer region and a central region of the laminated glazing.

Claims:
What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A laminated glazing comprising:
 a first glass layer; 
 a second glass layer; 
 an interlayer between the first glass layer and the second glass layer and having a first textured surface with a texture; and 
 an optical coating layer between the interlayer and the second glass layer and having an optical coating material; 
 wherein one or more of the texture or the optical coating material is different between a first region and a second region of the laminated glazing, the first region being within five inches of one side of the laminated glazing and the second region extending from the first region toward another side of the laminated glazing. 
 
     
     
       2. The laminated glazing according to  claim 1 , wherein the texture is rougher in the first region than the second region. 
     
     
       3. The laminated glazing according to  claim 2 , wherein the first textured surface is smooth in the second region. 
     
     
       4. The laminated glazing according to  claim 1 , wherein the optical coating material has a concentration that is greater in the first region than in the second region. 
     
     
       5. The laminated glazing according to  claim 4 , wherein the concentration is zero in the second region. 
     
     
       6. The laminated glazing according to  claim 4 , wherein the texture is rougher in the first region than in the second region. 
     
     
       7. The laminated glazing according to  claim 6 , wherein the first textured surface is smooth in the second region. 
     
     
       8. The laminated glazing according to  claim 1 , wherein a textured surface of one of the second glass layer or a textured interlayer has a second textured surface nested with the first textured surface of the interlayer, the optical coating layer between the first textured surface and the second textured surface. 
     
     
       9. The laminated glazing according to  claim 8 , further comprising the textured interlayer with the second textured surface, and another interlayer between the textured interlayer and the second glass layer. 
     
     
       10. The laminated glazing according to  claim 8 , wherein the second glass layer includes the second textured surface. 
     
     
       11. The laminated glazing according to  claim 1 , wherein the first glass layer, the second glass layer, and the interlayer have substantially the same index of refraction. 
     
     
       12. The laminated glazing according to  claim 1 , wherein the optical coating layer includes multiple sublayers of the optical coating material, the optical coating layer having more of the sublayers in the first region than the second region;
 wherein the texture is rougher in the first region than the second region, and is smooth in the second region; 
 wherein a textured surface of one of the second glass layer or a textured interlayer has a second textured surface nested with the first textured surface of the interlayer, the optical coating layer between the first textured surface and the second textured surface; and 
 wherein the first glass layer, the second glass layer, and the interlayer have substantially the same index of refraction. 
 
     
     
       13. The laminated glazing according to  claim 1 , wherein the second region is a central region that extends from the first region on the one side of the laminated glazing to the first region on the other side of the laminated glazing. 
     
     
       14. A laminated glazing comprising:
 a first glass layer; 
 a second glass layer; 
 an interlayer between the first glass layer and the second glass layer and having a first textured surface with a texture; and 
 an optical coating layer between the interlayer and the second glass layer and having an optical coating material; 
 wherein one or more of the texture or the optical coating material is different between an outer region and a central region of the laminated glazing; 
 wherein the optical coating material has a concentration that is greater in the outer region than in the central region; and 
 wherein the optical coating layer includes multiple sublayers of the optical coating material, the optical coating layer having more of the sublayers in the outer region than the central region. 
 
     
     
       15. A laminated glazing comprising:
 a first transparent layer; 
 a second transparent layer; 
 an interlayer between the first transparent layer and the second transparent layer and having a texture that provides diffuse reflectance of the laminated glazing; and 
 an optical coating layer that restricts optical transmittance of the laminated glazing; 
 wherein one or more of the diffuse reflectance or the optical transmittance varies in a gradual manner between locations of the laminated glazing. 
 
     
     
       16. The laminated glazing according to  claim 15 , wherein the diffuse reflectance reduces moving inward from an outer periphery of the laminated glazing. 
     
     
       17. The laminated glazing according to  claim 16 , wherein the texture decreases gradually in roughness moving inward from the outer periphery. 
     
     
       18. The laminated glazing according to  claim 15 , wherein the optical transmittance increases moving inward from an outer periphery of the laminated glazing. 
     
     
       19. The laminated glazing according to  claim 18 , wherein the optical coating layer decreases gradually in concentration moving inward from the outer periphery. 
     
     
       20. The laminated glazing according to  claim 18 , wherein the diffuse reflectance reduces moving inward from the outer periphery. 
     
     
       21. The laminated glazing according to  claim 15 , wherein the one or more of the diffuse reflectance or the optical transmittance varies in a gradual stepped manner with multiple stepped changes between locations of the laminated glazing. 
     
     
       22. The laminated glazing according to  claim 15 , wherein the one or more of the diffuse reflectance or the optical transmittance varies in a gradient manner between locations of the laminated glazing. 
     
     
       23. The laminated glazing according to  claim 16 , wherein the optical transmittance increases moving inward from the outer periphery of the laminated glazing. 
     
     
       24. The laminated glazing according to  claim 23 , wherein the texture decreases gradually in roughness moving inward from the outer periphery, and wherein the optical coating layer decreases gradually in concentration moving inward from the outer periphery.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S) 
     This application claims priority to and the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/684,306 filed Jun. 13, 2018, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated by reference herein. 
    
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     This disclosure relates to glazings and, in particular, laminated glazings. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Glazings, such as windshields for vehicles or window panels for buildings, have optical properties, such as reflectance and optical transmittance, that provide aesthetic and functional characteristics to such glazings. For example, a film may be applied to an external surface of a glass panel, which hinder different spectrums of light from passing therethrough. 
     SUMMARY 
     Disclosed herein are implementations of laminated glazings. In one implementation, a laminated glazing includes a first glass layer, a second glass layer, an interlayer, and an optical coating layer. The interlayer is between the first glass layer and the second glass layer and has a first textured surface with a texture. The optical coating layer is between the interlayer and the second glass layer and includes an optical coating material. One or more of the texture or the optical coating material is different between an outer region and a central region of the laminated glazing. 
     The optical coating layer may multiple sublayers of the optical coating material, and may have more of the sublayers in the outer region than the central region. The texture may be rougher in the outer region than the central region, and may be smooth in the central region. The textured surface of one of the second glass layer or a textured interlayer may have a second textured surface nested with first textured surface of the interlayer, and the optical coating layer may be between the first textured surface and the second textured surface. The first glass layer, the second glass layer, and the interlayer may have substantially the same index of refraction. 
     The first glass layer may form a first outer surface of the laminated glazing, and the second glass layer may form a second outer surface of the laminated glazing with the second outer surface facing opposite the first outer surface. 
     In another implementation, a laminated glazing includes a first transparent layer, a second transparent layer, an interlayer between the first transparent layer and the second transparent layer. The interlayer has a texture that provides diffuse reflectance of the laminated glazing. The optical coating layer restricts optical transmittance of the laminated glazing. One or more of the diffuse reflectance or the optical transmittance varies by location of the laminated glazing. The optical transmittance may increase moving inward from an outer periphery of the laminated glazing. The diffuse reflectance may reduce moving inward from the outer periphery. 
     In one implementation, a method is provided for forming a laminated glazing, which includes providing a first glass layer, a second glass layer, an interlayer between the first glass layer and the second glass layer, and an optical coating between the first glass layer and the second glass layer. The method further includes forming a texture on the interlayer with an autoclave. One or more of the texture or the optical coating varies by location of the laminated glazing. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1A  is a plan view of a laminated glazing. 
         FIG. 1B  is an exploded cross-sectional view of the laminated glazing of  FIG. 1A  taken along line  1 B- 1 B. 
         FIG. 1C  is a cross-sectional view of the laminated glazing of  FIG. 1A  taken along line  1 C- 1 C. 
         FIG. 1D  is a cross-sectional view of the laminated glazing of  FIG. 1A  taken along line  1 D- 1 D an in a stated coupled to an underlying structure. 
         FIG. 1E  is a detail view of an optical coating layer of the laminated glazing taken from line  1 E- 1 E in  FIG. 1B . 
         FIG. 2A  is an exploded cross-sectional view of a variation of the laminated glazing of  FIG. 1A . 
         FIG. 2B  is a cross-sectional view of the laminated glazing of  FIG. 2A . 
         FIG. 3A  is a plot of various applications diffuse reflectance vs. position of the laminated glazing. 
         FIG. 3B  is a plot of various applications of optical transmittance vs. position of the laminated glazing. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Referring to  FIGS. 1A-1E , a laminated glazing  110  may be provided for a vehicle, such as a windshield, side window, or rear window, or another application, such as a building. As described below, the laminated glazing  110  includes various internal layers that provide desired optical properties, such as specular vs. diffuse reflectance and high vs. low optical transmittance. For example, the diffuse reflectance may provide an appearance of a matte reflection, low optical transmittance may obscure or hide underlying products, and high optical transmittance allows people to see through the laminated glazing  110 . 
     Additionally, the optical properties may vary by location of the laminated glazing. For example, the laminated glazing  110  includes an outer periphery  112 , an outer region  114 , and a central region  116 . A boundary between the outer region  114  and the central region  116  is represented with a dashed line. The optical properties may vary between the outer region  114  and the central region  116 . 
     The outer region  114  of the laminated glazing  110  is positioned inward of the outer periphery  112 , for example, extending inward from the outer periphery  112  approximately three inches, more, or less (e.g., within four inches, five inches or more, or two inches, one inch, or less). The outer region  114  may also vary in size, for example, being larger at a bottom end of the laminated glazing  110 , and smaller at a top end and sides of the laminated glazing  110 . The outer region  114  may, for example, be coupled (e.g., with an adhesive) to another structure, such as a body structure of the vehicle or a frame of the window. 
     The central region  116  of the laminated glazing  110  extends further inward from the outer region  114 , such as extending from a portion of the outer region  114  on one side of the laminated glazing  110  to another portion of the outer region  114  on another side of the laminated glazing  110 , or to the outer periphery  112  on the other side of the laminated glazing  110 . The central region  116  may allow persons (e.g., occupants of the vehicle or the building) to look through the laminated glazing  110 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 1B and 1C , the laminated glazing  110  includes various layers of material, which provide optical properties that may be catered to achieve desired aesthetics, privacy, and other functional purposes among other considerations. For example, the laminated glazing  110  may be configured with the various layers to provide desired levels of specular vs. diffuse reflectance (e.g., light scattering), which may provide the appearance of a matte reflection, and high to low optical transmittance (e.g., high for viewing through the laminated glazing  110 , and low for hiding, obscuring, or protecting objects therebehind). 
     The laminated glazing  110  generally includes a first transparent layer  122  and a second transparent layer  124 , as well as an optical coating layer  126  and an interlayer  128  between the first transparent layer  122  and the second transparent layer  124 . 
     The first transparent layer  122  is formed of a highly transparent material, which allows light to pass therethrough without scattering. The first transparent layer  122  is, for example, glass but may be another highly transparent, preferably rigid, material, such as polycarbonate (PC). The first transparent layer  122  may also be referred to as a glass layer. 
     The first transparent layer  122  of the laminated glazing  110  includes a first surface  122   a  and a second surface  122   b . The first surface  122   a  is, for example, considered an outer surface of the first transparent layer  122 , while the second surface  122   b  is considered an inner surface thereof by facing opposite the first surface  122   a  inward toward the various interlayers and the second transparent layer  124  of the laminated glazing  110 . The first surface  122   a  may also be referred to as an outer surface, while the second surface  122   b  may be referred to as an inner surface, of the first transparent layer  122 . 
     The first surface  122   a  of the first transparent layer  122  may also form an outer surface  110   a  of the laminated glazing  110  (see  FIGS. 1B and 1C ). For example, in applications in which the laminated glazing  110  forms a barrier between an interior space (e.g., of a vehicle or a building) and an exterior space (e.g., outdoors), the first surface  122   a  faces and/or is exposed to the exterior space. In such applications, the first transparent layer  122  may also be referred to as the outer surface  110   a  of the laminated glazing  110 . Alternatively, the first surface  122   a  may instead form an inner surface of the laminated glazing  110  in which case the first transparent layer  122  may also be referred to as an inner layer of the laminated glazing  110 . 
     The first surface  122   a  of the first transparent layer  122  is smooth (e.g., has low roughness), such that light reflected from the first surface  122   a  is specular (e.g., light rays predominantly reflect at angles of reflection equal to their angles of incidence). One or more additional materials or coatings may be applied to the first surface  122   a.    
     The second surface  122   b  may also be smooth (as shown). Alternatively, the second surface  122   b  may be textured in addition to and as described below for a second surface  124   b  of the second transparent layer  124 . 
     The first transparent layer  122  may have a substantially constant thickness. For example, the first surface  122   a  is substantially parallel with the second surface  122   b.    
     The second transparent layer  124  is also formed of a highly transparent material, so as to allow light to pass therethrough without scattering. More preferably, the second transparent layer  124  is formed of a highly transparent material having an index of refraction that is substantially the same as the material of the first transparent layer  122  (e.g., within 0.2 when measured according to standard testing methodologies). For example, the first transparent layer  122  and the second transparent layer  124  may be formed of the same material (e.g., glass or PC as described above) and, thereby have the same index of refraction. When formed of glass, the second transparent layer  124  may be referred to as a glass layer 
     The second transparent layer  124  of the laminated glazing  110  includes a first surface  124   a  and the second surface  124   b  (referenced above). The first surface  124   a  is, for example, considered an outer surface of the second transparent layer  124 , while the second surface  124   b  is an inner surface thereof by facing opposite the first surface  124   a  inward toward the various interlayers and the first transparent layer  122  of the laminated glazing  110 . The first surface  124   a  may also be referred to as an outer surface, while the second surface  124   b  may be referred to as an inner surface, of the second transparent layer  124 . 
     The first surface  124   a  of the second transparent layer  124  may also form another outer surface  110   b  of the laminated glazing  110 , which may be referred to as an inner surface when facing an interior space, that faces opposite the outer surface  110   a . For example, in those applications in which the laminated glazing  110  forms a barrier between an interior space and an exterior space, as described previously, the first surface  124   a  faces and/or is exposed to the interior space. In such applications, the second transparent layer  124  may also be referred to as an inner layer of the laminated glazing  110 . Alternatively, the first surface  124   a  may form the outer surface  110   a  of the laminated glazing  110  in which case the second transparent layer  124  may be referred to as the outer transparent layer of the laminated glazing  110 . 
     The first surface  124   a  of the second transparent layer  124  is smooth (e.g., has low roughness), such that light reflected from the first surface  124   a  is specular (e.g., light rays predominantly reflect at angles of reflection equal to their angles of incidence). 
     The second surface  124   b  of the second transparent layer  124  has a texture  124   c  that is rough (e.g., has high roughness compared to the first surface  124   a ), such that reflection from the laminated glazing is diffuse (e.g., light rays reflect at multiple angles). The second surface  124   b  may also be referred to as a textured surface. 
     It should be understood that the cross-sectional views of the laminated glazings  110 ,  210  described herein are not to scale and are schematic in nature. For example, for illustrative purposes, the magnitude of the texture  124   c  is exaggerated in comparison to thicknesses of the various other layers of the laminated glazings (e.g., of the first transparent layer  122 , the second transparent layer  124 , and the interlayer  128 ). In one non-limiting example, the transparent layers  122 ,  124  may be formed of glass and have a thickness of approximately 2 mm, while the interlayer  128  is formed of PVB and has a thickness of between approximately 0.7 and 1.0 mm, and the optical coating layer  126  has a negligible thickness relative thereto. Further, the texture  124   c  is illustrated as having a uniform geometry with peaks and valleys at approximately 90 degree angles with even spacing, while the texture  124   c  represented thereby may have different physical characteristics (e.g., more complex and/or irregular profiles and spacing). 
     The texture  124   c  of the second transparent layer  124  may be a predetermined pattern (e.g., being formed in a repeatable manner). For example, the texture  124   c  may be formed into the second surface  124   b  by embossing, while the second transparent layer  124  is in a pliable form (e.g., when forming glass). The texture  124   c  is formed by pressing a patterned roller or stamp against the pliable material of the second transparent layer  124 , after which the material is cured. Alternatively, the texture  124   c  may be non-patterned. For example, the texture  124   c  of the second surface  124   b  may be created by a mechanical process that removes material (e.g., sand blasting or grinding). 
     The texture  124   c  of the second transparent layer  124  may be uniform over the entirety of the second surface  124   b , such that diffuse reflectance the laminated glazing  110  is uniform. For example, the texture  124   c  may have a uniform roughness over the second surface  124   b.    
     Alternatively, the texture  124   c  of second surface  124   b  may vary by location of the laminated glazing  110 , such that diffuse reflectance from the laminated glazing  110  varies by location. For example, the texture  124   c  of the second surface  124   b  may provide reflectance that is more diffuse in the outer region  114  (e.g., near the outer periphery  112 ) and less diffuse in the central region  116 . The varied diffuse reflectance may, for example, be provided by the texture  124   c  of the second surface  124   b  being more rough (e.g., rougher) in areas where reflectance is more diffuse (e.g., in the outer region  114 ) and less rough in areas where reflectance is less diffuse (e.g., in the central region  116 ). The varied diffuse reflectance may, for example, change in a stepped manner (e.g., changing abruptly from one section to another, for example, by changing roughness in a larger degree), or may change in a gradual manner (e.g., smaller stepped changes across multiple sections, such as by changing roughness in smaller degrees, or gradually following a line or curve in changing diffuse reflectance and/or roughness). 
     To achieve the varied diffuse reflectance, the texture  124   c  may be formed by the aforementioned patterned roller or stamp having greater and lesser roughness (e.g., being smooth) in different areas, or by applying the aforementioned mechanical process differently in different areas (e.g., masking areas that are to have lesser roughness, such as being smooth). 
     Additional manners for varying the diffuse reflectance and/or the roughness are described in further detail below with respect to  FIGS. 3A-3B . 
     The optical coating layer  126  is configured to reflect and transmit light in desired manners and is arranged between the first transparent layer  122  and the second transparent layer  124  (e.g., between the interlayer  128  and the second transparent layer  124 ). For example, the optical coating layer  126  may reflect light to restrict optical transmission through the laminated glazing  110  (e.g., restricts optical transmittance of the laminated glazing  110 ). 
     The optical coating layer  126  may, for example, include a metal or reflective coating material, such as aluminum, silver, gold, or other suitable material), and/or a dielectric coating material. The optical coating layer  126  may be applied to the second surface  124   b  of the second transparent layer  124  in any suitable manner, such as with thin film deposition techniques (e.g., chemical deposition or physical deposition, including physical vapor deposition, such as sputtering or vacuum deposition). Further, the optical coating layer  126  may, by being a thin film material, take on the texture  124   c  of the underlying second surface  124   b  of the second transparent layer  124  (e.g., the optical coating layer  126  is textured or includes a texture that is rough). As a result, the optical coating layer  126  reflects light in a diffuse manner in accordance with the roughness of the texture  124   c . The optical coating layer  126  may also be referred to as an optical layer, a reflective layer, a metal layer, or similar. 
     The optical coating layer  126  may, for example, include one or more optical coating sublayers  126   a  of optical coating material that are applied to the second surface  124   b  of the second transparent layer  124 . The optical coating sublayers  126   a  are illustrated conceptually in the detail view of  FIG. 1E . Based on the total number and composition of each of the optical coating sublayers  126   a , the optical coating layer  126  may reflect and transmit therethrough different wavelengths of light to achieve desired aesthetic effects (e.g., high vs. low transmittance of different wavelengths of visible light) and functional effects (e.g., low transmittance of ultraviolet light). 
     The optical coating layer  126  may be provided in different composition and/or concentrations (e.g., areal density and/or thickness) to provide desired optical transmission properties. In one example, the optical coating layer  126  may be uniform over the laminated glazing  110 . As a result, in portions having otherwise uniform characteristics (e.g., texture, materials, etc.), the laminated glazing  110  has generally uniform optical transmittance. 
     Alternatively, the optical coating layer  126  may be non-uniform over the laminated glazing  110 . As a result, in portions having otherwise uniform characteristics, (e.g., texture, materials, etc.), the laminated glazing  110  has different optical transmission properties. For example, the optical coating layer  126  may have lower optical transmittance in the outer region  114  (e.g., near the outer periphery  112 ) than in the central region  116 , for example, by having optical coating material in a greater concentration by including more material per unit area (e.g., thicker and/or denser). In one example, the optical coating layer  126  has a higher concentration of the optical coating material in the outer region  114  and includes no coating material in the central region  116 . For example, in the outer region  114  where the laminated glazing  110  may be adhered to a body structure of a vehicle, the optical coating layer  126  may have low optical transmittance (e.g., becoming opaque), so as to prevent or limit ultraviolet rays from reaching and, thereby, prevent degradation the adhesive that secures the laminated glazing  110  to the body structure of the vehicle. The optical coating layer  126  may, by having low optical transmittance in the outer region  114 , instead or additionally obscure from view the adhesive. 
     To vary the optical coating material in different regions of the laminated glazing  110 , the optical coating sublayers  126   a  may be applied differently in different areas, such as being different in optical coating material and/or number of the optical coating sublayers  126   a  (e.g., between three and 20 of the optical coating sublayers  126   a  depending on the region of the laminated glazing  110 ). For example, the optical coating layer  126  may include a relatively high number of the optical coating sublayers  126   a  in the outer region  114  (e.g., 10-20 of the optical coating sublayers  126   a ) and relatively few of the optical coating sublayers  126   a  in the central region  116  (e.g., 0-5 of the optical coating sublayers  126   a ). As a result, the outer region  114  may have relatively low optical transmittance, while the central region  116  may have relatively high optical transmittance. 
     The optical coating layer  126  may change in a stepped manner (e.g., changing abruptly between levels of optical transmittance, such as by changing abruptly from one concentration of coating material in one region to another), or may change in a gradual manner (e.g., changing in optical transmittance and/or material in more and smaller steps, or in smooth manner, such as with a gradient). 
     As referenced above, the optical coating layer  126  may be applied to the second surface  124   b  of the second transparent layer  124  in any suitable manner. To achieve the varied amount and/or composition of coating material at different locations, the second surface  124   b  of the second transparent layer  124  may be masked when different ones of the optical coating sublayers  126   a  are applied. Alternatively, the optical coating layer  126  may be applied using deposition techniques that otherwise allow for localized application of the optical coating material. 
     Additional manners for varying optical transmission and/or the optical coating material are described in further detail below with respect to  FIGS. 3A-3B . 
     Still further, referring to  FIG. 1D , the laminated glazing  110  may include an opaque layer  130 , such as a dark ink, which may be positioned away from the outer surface  110   a  of the laminated glazing  110 . The opaque layer  130 , for example, may be positioned between the first transparent layer  122  and the second transparent layer  124 , or on the outer surface  110   b  of the laminated glazing  110  (as shown). The opaque layer  130  functions to obscure from view and prevent UV degradation of an adhesive  132  thereunder, which is used to couple the laminated glazing  110  to an underlying structure  134  (e.g., of the vehicle or building). When positioned on the outer surface  110   b  of the laminated glazing  110 , as shown, the opaque layer  130  may aid adherence of the laminated glazing  110  to the adhesive  132 . The texture  124   c  and/or the optical coating layer  126  may obscure the opaque layer  130  from view. 
     The interlayer  128  is arranged between the first transparent layer  122  and the second transparent layer  124  and is directly or indirectly coupled (e.g., bonded) thereto. The interlayer  128  is a layer of a polymer material, which is positioned between the first transparent layer  122  and the optical coating layer  126 . 
     The interlayer  128  has an index of refraction that is substantially the same as the first transparent layer  122  and the second transparent layer  124 . For example, the interlayer  128  may have an index of refraction that is within 0.2 of the first transparent layer  122  and the second transparent layer  124 , so as to be substantially the same. In one example, the interlayer  128  is a polymer, such as polyvinyl butyral (PVB). Polyvinyl butyral has an index of refraction of approximately 1.485 to 1.490, which is within 0.2 of the refractive indices for glass materials (e.g., typically around 1.47 to 1.52 in automotive applications) that may form the first transparent layer  122  and/or the second transparent layer  124 . The interlayer  128  may also be referred to as a polymer, PVB, or bonding interlayer. 
     As discussed in further detail below, the interlayer  128  includes a texture  128   c  that conforms with the texture  124   c  of the second transparent layer  124 . With the second transparent layer  124  and the interlayer  128  having substantially the same index of refraction, in regions where the optical coating  126  is not present, light is transmitted through the interface between the textures  124   c ,  128   c  without distortion (e.g., without scattering). That is despite the roughness of the textures  124   c ,  128   c , if none of the optical coating material is present therebetween to reflect light, the matching index of refraction will allow light to transmit therethrough without scattering (e.g., being transparent). 
     The interlayer  128  includes a first surface  128   a  and a second surface  128   b . The first surface  128   a  is arranged adjacent the second surface  122   b  of the first transparent layer  122  and conforms therewith, for example, being smooth. The first surface  128   a  may be continuously bonded to the first transparent layer  122 , such as through an autoclave process. 
     The second surface  128   b  of the interlayer  128  is arranged adjacent the second transparent layer  124  and/or optical coating layer  126  therebetween and is bonded thereto. The texture  128   c  of the second surface  128   b  additionally conforms with the texture  124   c  of the second transparent layer  124  (e.g., with or without the optical coating layer  126  therebetween). The texture  128   c  is complementary to the texture  124   c  of the second surface  124   b  of the second transparent layer  124  and/or that of the optical coating layer  126  (e.g., having a complementary shape so as to be nested therewith). For example, the second surface  128   b  may be continuously bonded to the second transparent layer  124  and/or the optical coating layer  126  to prevent gaps or gaseous pockets therebetween, which might otherwise create optical imperfections in the laminated glazing  110 . 
     The texture  128   c  of the interlayer  128  is formed, for example, with an autoclave (e.g., a glass laminating autoclave). During an autoclave process the first transparent layer  122 , the second transparent layer  124  and the optical coating layer  126 , and the interlayer  128  are bonded together. During the autoclave process, the material (e.g., PVB) of the interlayer  128  may be provided as a sheet material have two generally smooth surfaces, which is heated to become pliable and under pressure conforms to the texture  124   c  of the second transparent layer  124  to form the texture  128   c.    
     Referring to  FIG. 2 , a laminated glazing  210  is an alternative to the laminated glazing  110 . As compared to the laminated glazing  110 , the laminated glazing  210  additionally includes a textured interlayer  240  and a second interlayer  242 . Further, the second surface  124   b  of the second transparent layer  124  is smooth (e.g., not have the texture  124   c ), while the textured interlayer  240  includes a texture  240   c  to which the optical coating layer  126  is applied. 
     The textured interlayer  240  has an index of refraction that is substantially the same as the first transparent layer  122 , the second transparent layer  124 , and the first interlayer  128 . The textured interlayer  240  may, for example, be a polymer, such as polyethylene terephthalate (PET) or polycarbonate (PC). PET has an index of refraction of 1.575 and PC has an index of refraction of 1.6, which are within 0.2 of glass (as described above) and PVB. With the textured interlayer  240  and the first interlayer  128  having the same index of refraction, light is transmitted through the interfaces between the textures  124   c ,  240   c  without distortion (e.g., scattering). 
     The textured interlayer  240  includes a first surface  240   a  and a second surface  240   b . The first surface  240   a  conforms with and is bonded to the second transparent layer  124  (e.g., being smooth). 
     The second surface  240   b  includes the texture  240   c , which may be configured and/or formed in the manners described above for the texture  124   c  of the second transparent layer  124  to provide diffuse reflectance (e.g., varying in texture or roughness and being formed by a pressing or mechanical process). 
     The texture  128   c  of the first interlayer  128  is configured with respect to the texture  240   c  of the textured interlayer  240  similar to that of the texture  124   c  of the second transparent layer  124  described above. That is, the texture  128   c  is complementary to the texture  240   c  and/or that of the optical coating layer  126  (e.g., conforming therewith). For example, the second surface of the first interlayer  128  may be continuously bonded second surface  240   b  of the textured interlayer  240  and/or the optical coating layer  126  to prevent gaps or gaseous pockets therebetween, which might otherwise create optical imperfections in the laminated glazing  210 . 
     The optical coating layer  126  may be applied to the first surface  240   a  of the textured interlayer  240 , as was described previously when applied to the second transparent layer  124  (e.g., varying by position and being applied with a deposition process). 
     The texture  128   c  of the first interlayer  128  may be formed when the first interlayer  128  is coupled to the textured interlayer  240 , such as during heated press operation, which may be separate from or part of the autoclave operation described above. 
     The second interlayer  242  bonds the textured interlayer  240  to the second transparent layer  124 . The second interlayer  242  has an index of refraction that is substantially the same as the first transparent layer  122 , the second transparent layer  124 , the first interlayer  128 , and the textured interlayer  240 . The second interlayer  242  may, for example, be a polymer material, such as PVB, and may be the same material as the first interlayer  128 . The second interlayer  242  is coupled to the textured interlayer  240  during a heated press operation, which may be separate from or part of the autoclave operation. The first interlayer  128 , the optical coating layer  126 , the textured interlayer  240 , and the second interlayer  242  may be coupled to each other to first form an interlayer assembly, which is then coupled to the first transparent layer  122  and the second transparent layer  124  during a subsequent autoclave process. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 3A-3B , the diffuse reflectance (e.g., the roughness of the texture  124   c ) and the optical transmittance (e.g., inversely related to the concentration of the optical coating material) may vary by position with respect to the outer periphery  112 , the outer region  114 , and the central region  116 . The diffuse reflectance and the optical transmittance of the laminated glazings  110 ,  210  are provided at levels in the outer region  114 , the central region  116 , and a transition region therebetween over which the level of diffuse reflectance and optical reflectance change in the manners described above and below. It should be understood that the levels in each such region may be combined with each other in any desired manner. 
     Referring to  FIG. 3A , diffuse reflectance (of the laminated glazings  110 ,  210 ) and roughness (of the textures  124   c ,  128   c ,  240   c ) is on the Y-axis, while the distance from the outer periphery  112  is on the X-axis (zero representing the outer periphery  112 ). The diffuse reflectance and the roughness for a given application are illustrated with a single line, but it should be noted that the relationship may not be linear (e.g., varying roughness by a certain degree may not result in varying diffuse reflectance by the same degree). 
     In a first application  310  (solid line), the diffuse reflectance and/or the roughness is at a constant high level in the outer region  114 , is maintained at zero in the central region  116 , and transitions therebetween in an abrupt manner (i.e., a single step drop). In a second application  320  (long dashed line), the diffuse reflectance and/or the roughness is maintained at a high level in the outer region  114 , is maintained at a constant low (non-zero) level in the central region  116 , and transitions therebetween in a gradual stepped manner (e.g., multiple step drop). In a third application  330  (short dashed line), the diffuse reflectance and/or the roughness is maintained at a high level in the outer region  114 , is maintained at a zero in the central region  116 , and transitions therebetween in a gradient manner. In a fourth application  340  (dash-dot line), the diffuse reflectance and/or the roughness is maintained at the same low level in the outer region  114  and the central region  116  with no transition therebetween. 
     It should be understood that the diffuse reflectance and/or roughness of the textures  124   c ,  128   c ,  240   c  may be varied in other manners, for example, by increasing from the outer region  114  to the central region  116  and/or by changing within the outer region  114 . It should be further understood that the diffuse reflectance and/or the roughness may be the same or different at each peripheral location around the outer periphery  112  (e.g., between the top, bottom, left side, and right side, and/or along a given side). 
     Referring to  FIG. 3B , optical transmittance (of the laminated glazings  110 ,  210 ) and the concentration of the optical coating material (of the optical coating layer  126 ) is on the Y-axis, while the distance from the outer periphery  112  is on the X-axis (zero representing the outer periphery  112 ). The optical transmittance and the concentration for a given application are illustrated with a single line, but it should be noted that the optical transmittance (denoted by a “T”) and the concentration of the optical coating material (denoted by a “C”) have an inverse relationship, such that less optical coating material generally results in higher transmittance and vice versa, but that the relationship may not be linear (e.g., varying the concentration of the optical coating material may not result in varying transmittance by the same degree). 
     In a first application  350  (solid line), the optical transmittance is at a constant low level in the outer region  114  (e.g., zero or near zero with a high concentration of optical coating material), is maintained at a high level in the central region  116  (e.g., with low concentration or no optical coating material), and transitions therebetween in an abrupt manner (i.e., a single step increase). In a second application  360  (long dashed line), the optical transmittance is maintained at a low level (e.g., zero or near zero with high concentration) in the outer region  114 , is maintained at a constant high level in the central region  116  (e.g., with low concentration or no optical coating material), and transitions therebetween in a gradual stepped manner (e.g., multiple step increases). In a third application  370  (short dashed line), the optical transmittance is maintained at a low level in the outer region  114  (e.g., zero or near zero with a high concentration), is maintained at a constant high level in the central region  116  (e.g., with low concentration or no optical coating material), and transitions therebetween in a gradient manner. In a fourth application  380  (dash-dot line), the optical transmittance is maintained at the level in the outer region  114  and the central region  116  with no transition therebetween (e.g., with the same concentration). 
     It is contemplated that any one of the applications  350 ,  360 ,  370 ,  380  of the optical transmittance may be used in conjunction with any one of the applications  310 ,  320 ,  330 ,  340  of the diffuse reflectance. It should also be understood that the optical transmittance and/or optical coating may be varied in other manners, for example, by increasing from the outer region  114  to the central region  116  and/or by changing within the outer region  114 . It should be further understood that the optical transmittance and/or the optical coating may be the same or different at each peripheral location (e.g., between the top, bottom, left side, and right side, and/or along a given side).

Metadata:
Filing Date: 20190612
Publication Date: 20211130
Grant Date: 20211130
Priority Date: 20180613
Inventors: Kingman, David E.
Scott, Derek C.
PORRITT, CHRISTOPHER L.
da Silveira Magalhaes, Marcelo B.
MELCHER, MARTIN
Masschelein, Peter F.
MONROE, DONALD R.
Assignee: APPLE INC
CPC Classifications: [{"code": "B32B2307/416", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "B32B17/10871", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "B32B17/10834", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "B32B17/10761", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "B32B17/10587", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "B32B17/1022", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "B32B17/10146", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "B32B17/10431", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "B32B17/10036", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "B32B2605/006", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "B32B2250/04", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "B32B2255/26", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "B32B2255/10", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "B60J1/02", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "B32B17/10899", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "B32B17/10036", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "B32B2250/05", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "E06B3/66", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "B60J1/08", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "B60J1/18", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "B32B17/10761", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "B32B17/10449", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "B32B17/10577", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "B32B2255/26", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "B32B2250/04", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "B32B2605/006", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "B32B17/10761", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "B60J1/08", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "B60J1/02", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "B32B17/10577", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "B32B2250/05", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "B32B2255/10", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "B60J1/18", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "B32B17/10449", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "B32B17/10036", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "E06B3/66", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "B32B17/10899", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}]
Family ID: 78767893