# US 2017/0285339 A1 · Interlayers having enhanced optical performance > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2017/0285339 A1 - Document ID: US20170285339A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 15/440,263 - Filed: 2017-02-23 - Published: 2017-10-05 - Earliest claimed: 2016-04-04 - Assignees: Solutia Inc. - Applicants: Solutia Inc. - Inventors: LORA LEE SPANGLER; JEFFREY B. HURLBUT - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20170285339A1 ## CPC - G02B 27/0101: {characterised by optical features (G02B27/0172 takes precedence)} - B32B 17/10036: {comprising two outer glass sheets} - B32B 17/10559: {Shape of the cross-section} - B32B 17/10568: {varying in thickness} - B32B 17/10761: {containing vinyl acetal} - B32B 17/1077: {containing polyurethane} - B32B 17/10788: {containing ethylene vinylacetate} - B32B 37/06: characterised by the heating method - B32B 37/182: {one or more of the layers being plastic} - B60J 1/02: arranged at the vehicle front {, e.g. structure of the glazing, mounting of the glazing (on windscreen mounted antenna wire H01Q1/1271)} - B60K 35/23: Head-up displays [HUD] (optical aspects of head-up displays G02B27/01) - B60K 35/60: Instruments characterised by their location or relative disposition in or on vehicles (arrangements of lighting devices on dashboards B60Q3/10) - B60K 35/654: {the user being the driver} - B32B 2250/03: 3 layers - B32B 2605/006: Transparent parts other than made from inorganic glass, e.g. polycarbonate glazings - B60K 2360/334: Projection means - B60K 2360/77: Instrument locations other than the dashboard - G02B 2027/013: {comprising a combiner of particular shape, e.g. curvature} - G02B: OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS - 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) - B60K: ARRANGEMENT OR MOUNTING OF PROPULSION UNITS OR OF TRANSMISSIONS IN VEHICLES; ARRANGEMENT OR MOUNTING OF PLURAL DIVERSE PRIME-MOVERS IN VEHICLES; AUXILIARY DRIVES FOR VEHICLES; INSTRUMENTATION OR DASHBOARDS FOR VEHICLES; ARRANGEMENTS IN CONNECTION WITH COOLING, AIR INTAKE, GAS EXHAUST OR FUEL SUPPLY OF PROPULSION UNITS IN VEHICLES ## Abstract A tapered interlayer and windshield employing the same are provided. Unlike conventional windshields, which are optimized to reduce ghost images for a single driver height, the windshields of the present invention may exhibit reduced ghosting for drivers of multiple heights, including very tall or very short drivers, while also providing desirable image clarity for average-height drivers. Windshields as described herein may be used in a variety of applications, including automotive, aircraft, marine, and recreational vehicles that employ HUD projection systems. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A windshield comprising— a pair of glazing panels; and a polymeric interlayer disposed between and in contact with each of the glazing panels, wherein said polymeric interlayer defines a HUD region, and wherein said HUD region has a tapered vertical thickness profile including at least one variable angle zone, wherein said windshield exhibits at least one of an upper eyebox reflected double image separation distance of less than 2 arc-min and a lower eyebox reflected double image separation distance of less than 2 arc-min, when measured at standard installation conditions for said windshield. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The windshield of claim 1, wherein said windshield exhibits both an upper eyebox reflected double image separation distance of less than 2 arc-min and a lower eyebox reflected double image separation distance of less than 2 arc-min, when measured at standard installation conditions for said windshield. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The windshield of claim 1, wherein said windshield exhibits at least one of an upper eyebox reflected double image separation distance of less than 1 arc-min and a lower eyebox reflected double image separation distance of less than 1 arc-min, when measured at standard installation conditions for said windshield. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The windshield of claim 1, wherein said HUD region has a vertical wedge angle profile that increases over at least a portion of said HUD region. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The windshield of claim 1, wherein said HUD region has a vertical wedge angle profile that decreases over at least a portion of said HUD region. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The windshield of claim 1, wherein said HUD region has a vertical wedge angle profile that remains constant over at least a portion of said HUD region. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The windshield of claim 1, wherein said tapered vertical thickness profile includes at least two variable angle zones. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The windshield of claim 1, wherein said tapered vertical thickness profile does not include a constant angle zone. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The windshield of claim 1, wherein said HUD region has a flat horizontal thickness profile. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The windshield of claim 1, wherein said interlayer and said panels each include an upper installed edge, a lower installed edge, a driver side installed edge, and a passenger side installed edge, wherein said upper and said lower side installed edges of said interlayer are vertically spaced from and parallel to each other when said windshield is in an installed position, and wherein said driver side installed edge and said passenger side installed edge of said interlayer are each in contact with said upper installed edge and said lower installed edge of said interlayer and are horizontally spaced from and parallel to one another when said windshield is in an installed position, wherein said HUD region is positioned closer to said lower installed edge of said interlayer than to said upper installed edge of said interlayer. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The windshield of claim 10, wherein said HUD region is defined by an upper installed HUD boundary spaced apart from and parallel to said upper installed edge of said interlayer and a lower installed HUD boundary spaced apart from and parallel to said lower installed edge of said interlayer, wherein said upper HUD boundary and said lower HUD boundary extend at least 40 percent of the distance between said driver side installed edge and said passenger side installed edge of said windshield. ### Claim 12 A method of producing an interlayer, or a windshield comprising said interlayer, said method comprising: (a) obtaining a prescribed vertical wedge angle profile for a HUD region of a target interlayer; and (b) forming an interlayer to provide a formed interlayer, wherein said formed interlayer defines a HUD region, and wherein said forming is carried out such that at least 50 percent of said HUD region of said formed interlayer has a vertical wedge angle profile that varies from said prescribed vertical wedge angle profile for said HUD region of said target interlayer by no more than 0.10 mrad. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The method of claim 12, wherein said forming is carried out such that at least 90 percent of said HUD region of said formed interlayer has a vertical wedge angle profile that varies from said prescribed vertical wedge angle profile for said HUD region of said target interlayer by no more than 0.10 mrad. ### Claim 14 (depends on 12) The method of claim 12, wherein said forming is carried out such that none of said HUD region of said formed interlayer has a vertical wedge angle profile that varies from said prescribed vertical wedge angle profile for said HUD region of said target interlayer by more than 0.10 mrad. ### Claim 15 (depends on 12) The method of claim 12, wherein said forming is carried out such that at least 50 percent of said HUD region of said formed interlayer has a vertical wedge angle profile that varies from said prescribed vertical wedge angle profile for said HUD region of said target interlayer by no more than 0.075 mrad. ### Claim 16 (depends on 12) The method of claim 12, wherein said HUD region of said formed interlayer comprises at least one variable angle zone. ### Claim 17 (depends on 12) The method of claim 12, wherein said method is a method of making a windshield, further comprising laminating said formed interlayer between a pair of glazing panels to form said windshield, and wherein said windshield exhibits at least one of an upper eyebox reflected double image separation distance of less than 2 arc-min and a lower eyebox reflected double image separation distance of less than 2 arc-min, when measured at standard installation conditions for said windshield. ### Claim 18 A method of producing a windshield comprising an interlayer, said method comprising: (a) obtaining a prescribed vertical wedge angle profile for a HUD region of a target interlayer; (b) forming an interlayer to provide a formed interlayer, wherein said formed interlayer defines a HUD region, and wherein said forming is carried out such that at least 50 percent of said HUD region of said formed interlayer has a vertical wedge angle profile that varies from said prescribed vertical wedge angle profile for said HUD region of said target interlayer by no more than 0.10 mrad; and (c) laminating said formed interlayer between a pair of glazing panels to form said windshield, wherein said windshield exhibits at least one of an upper eyebox reflected double image separation distance of less than 2 arc-min and a lower eyebox reflected double image separation distance of less than 2 arc-min, when measured at standard installation conditions for said windshield. ### Claim 19 (depends on 18) The method of claim 18, wherein said forming is carried out such that at least 90 percent of said HUD region of said formed interlayer has a vertical wedge angle profile that varies from said prescribed vertical wedge angle profile for said HUD region of said target interlayer by no more than 0.10 mrad. ### Claim 20 (depends on 18) The method of claim 18, wherein said windshield exhibits at least one of an upper eyebox reflected double image separation distance of less than 1 arc-min and a lower eyebox reflected double image separation distance of less than 1 arc-min, when measured at standard installation conditions for said windshield.