# US 12,179,461 B2 · Composite pane comprising electrically controllable optical properties and control unit

> Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt

- Number: US 12,179,461 B2
- Document ID: US12179461B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 18/262,312
- Filed: 2022-01-11
- Published: 2024-02-29
- Granted: 2024-12-31
- Earliest claimed: 2021-01-20
- Assignees: Saint-Gobain Glass France
- Applicants: Saint-Gobain Glass France
- Inventors: Huixing Zhang; Karl Malachowski; Adil Jaafar; Xavier Drouet
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US12179461B2

## CPC

- B32B 17/10504: {Liquid crystal layer}
- B32B 3/085: {spaced apart pieces on the surface of a layer}
- B32B 7/12: using interposed adhesives or interposed materials with bonding properties
- B32B 17/10036: {comprising two outer glass sheets}
- B32B 17/10513: {Electrochromic layer}
- B32B 17/10532: {Suspended particle layer}
- B32B 17/1055: {characterized by the resin layer, i.e. interlayer}
- B32B 17/10761: {containing vinyl acetal}
- B32B 17/10807: {Making laminated safety glass or glazing; Apparatus therefor}
- B60J 3/04: adjustable in transparency
- E06B 3/6722: {with adjustable passage of light}
- E06B 9/24: Screens or other constructions affording protection against light, especially against sunshine; Similar screens for privacy or appearance; {Slat blinds}(operating, guiding or securing devices or arrangements for roll-type closures E06B9/56; free-hanging flexible screens A47H23/00)
- G02F 1/1334: based on polymer dispersed liquid crystals, e.g. microencapsulated liquid crystals
- G02F 1/133512: {Light shielding layers, e.g. black matrix (G02F1/136209 takes precedence)}
- G02F 1/13452: {Conductors connecting driver circuitry and terminals of panels}
- G02F 1/157: Structural association of cells with optical devices, e.g. reflectors or illuminating devices
- G02F 1/1677: Structural association of cells with optical devices, e.g. reflectors or illuminating devices
- B32B 2419/00: Buildings or parts thereof
- B32B 2605/00: Vehicles
- E06B 2009/2464: {featuring transparency control by applying voltage, e.g. LCD, electrochromic panels}
- B32B: LAYERED PRODUCTS, i.e. PRODUCTS BUILT-UP OF STRATA OF FLAT OR NON-FLAT, e.g. CELLULAR OR HONEYCOMB, FORM
- B60J: WINDOWS, WINDSCREENS, NON-FIXED ROOFS, DOORS, OR SIMILAR DEVICES FOR VEHICLES; REMOVABLE EXTERNAL PROTECTIVE COVERINGS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR VEHICLES (fastening, suspending, closing, or opening of such devices E05)
- E06B: FIXED OR MOVABLE CLOSURES FOR OPENINGS IN BUILDINGS, VEHICLES, FENCES OR LIKE ENCLOSURES IN GENERAL, e.g. DOORS, WINDOWS, BLINDS, GATES (shades or blinds for greenhouses A01G9/22; curtains A47H; lids for car boots or bonnets B62D25/10; skylights E04B7/18; sunshades, awnings E04F10/00)
- G02F: OPTICAL DEVICES OR ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE CONTROL OF LIGHT BY MODIFICATION OF THE OPTICAL PROPERTIES OF THE MEDIA OF THE ELEMENTS INVOLVED THEREIN; NON-LINEAR OPTICS; FREQUENCY-CHANGING OF LIGHT; OPTICAL LOGIC ELEMENTS; OPTICAL ANALOGUE/DIGITAL CONVERTERS

## Abstract

A composite pane with electrically controllable optical properties, includes an outer pane and an inner pane joined to one another via a thermoplastic intermediate layer, wherein a functional element with electrically controllable optical properties is integrated into the intermediate layer, wherein a securing element for reversibly securing a control unit is attached to a surface of the outer pane or of the inner pane facing away from the intermediate layer, and wherein a control unit suitable for controlling the optical properties of the functional element is arranged in the securing element.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A composite pane with electrically controllable optical properties, comprising an outer pane and an inner pane joined to one another via a thermoplastic intermediate layer,
wherein a functional element with electrically controllable optical properties is integrated into the thermoplastic intermediate layer,
wherein a securing element for reversibly securing a control unit is attached to a surface of the outer pane or of the inner pane facing away from the thermoplastic intermediate layer,
wherein a control unit adapted to control the optical properties of the functional element is arranged in the securing element, and
wherein the securing element is fixedly connected to the surface of the outer pane or of the inner pane and the control unit is detachably connected to the securing element such that, when the control unit is arranged in the securing element, the control unit and the functional element are electrically connectable to each other and, when the control unit is detached from the securing element, the control unit and the functional element are electrically disconnectable from each other.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The composite pane according to claim 1, wherein the securing element is secured to the surface via a layer of an adhesive.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The composite pane according to claim 1, wherein the securing element has a plate that is connected over its entire surface to the surface of the outer pane or of the inner pane and which is provided with latching means that interact with complementary parts of the control unit in a force-fitting or form-fitting manner and thereby fix the control unit on the securing element.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The composite pane according to claim 1, wherein the securing element has an electrical contact region that is electrically conductively connected to flat electrodes of the functional element via electrical cables, and wherein a complementary contact region of the control unit is in contact with the contact region of the securing element so that the control unit is electrically conductively connected to the flat electrodes.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

The composite pane according to claim 1, wherein the securing element is made of plastic, of a metal or a metal alloy, or of ceramic.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

The composite pane according to claim 1, wherein the functional element is a PDLC functional element, an SPD functional element, or an electrochromic functional element.

### Claim 7 (depends on 1)

The composite pane according to claim 1, comprising an opaque masking print in a circumferential edge region of the composite pane, wherein the securing element is arranged in said edge region.

### Claim 8 (depends on 1)

The composite pane according to claim 1, wherein the securing element is equipped with at least one sensor.

### Claim 9 (depends on 1)

A method comprising providing a composite pane according to claim 1 as a window pane of a building, of a room inside the building, or of a vehicle.

### Claim 10 (depends on 8)

The composite pane according to claim 8, wherein the at least one sensor is a light sensor and/or a temperature sensor.

### Claim 11 (depends on 9)

The method according to claim 9, wherein the window pane is a windshield, a roof panel, a rear window, or a side window.

### Claim 12 (depends on 3)

The composite pane according to claim 3, wherein the plate is secured against the surface of the outer pane or of the inner pane and wherein the plate is arranged between the control unit and the surface of the outer pane or of the inner pane to space apart the control unit from the surface of the outer pane or of the inner pane.

### Claim 13 (depends on 12)

The composite pane according to claim 12, wherein the plate is secured against the surface of the outer pane or of the inner pane via an adhesive.

### Claim 14 (depends on 12)

The composite pane according to claim 12, wherein the securing element has a side wall extending from the plate, the side wall and the plate forming a cavity that has an opening facing away from the composite pane and delimited by the side wall for receiving the control unit.

### Claim 15 (depends on 12)

The composite pane according to claim 12, wherein the latching means is in a form of a circumferential or interrupted side wall that extends from the plate.

### Claim 16 (depends on 1)

The composite pane according to claim 1, wherein the functional element is electrically connected to a first contact region provided on a surface of the securing element, wherein a surface of the control unit includes a second contact region, and wherein the first and second contact regions come in contact with each other by latching the control unit to the securing element to enable the control unit to control the optical properties of the functional element.

### Claim 17

A method for producing a composite pane with electrically controllable optical properties, comprising:
a) arranging a thermoplastic intermediate layer and a functional element with electrically controllable optical properties between an outer pane and an inner pane,
b) joining the outer pane and the inner pane via the thermoplastic intermediate layer by lamination,
c) attaching a securing element for reversibly securing a control unit to a surface of the outer pane or of the inner pane facing away from the thermoplastic intermediate layer, and
d) arranging a control unit adapted to control the optical properties of the functional element in the securing element,
wherein the securing element is fixedly connected to the surface of the outer pane or of the inner pane and the control unit is detachably connected to the securing element, and
wherein when the control unit is arranged in the securing element, the control unit and the functional element are electrically connectable to each other and, when the control unit is detached from the securing element, the control unit and the functional element are electrically disconnectable from each other.

### Claim 18 (depends on 17)

The method according to claim 17, wherein before or after step (d), electrical cables, via which the control unit is electrically conductively connected to flat electrodes of the functional element, are connected to the control unit.

### Claim 19 (depends on 17)

The method according to claim 17, wherein the securing element has an electrical contact region that is electrically conductively connected to flat electrodes of the functional element via electrical cables, and wherein, in step (d), a complementary contact region of the control unit is brought into contact with the contact region of the securing element so that the control unit is electrically conductively connected to flat electrode of the functional element.