# US 9,517,721 B2 · Vehicle sunroof with switchable glazing and side-firing light emitting diodes > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 9,517,721 B2 - Document ID: US9517721B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 14/466,217 - Filed: 2014-08-22 - Published: 2016-02-25 - Granted: 2016-12-13 - Earliest claimed: 2014-08-22 - Assignees: Guardian Industries Corp. - Applicants: Guardian Industries Corp. - Inventors: Timothy J. Frey; Robert A. Vandal - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US9517721B2 ## CPC - B60Q 3/208: Sun roofs; Windows - B32B 7/12: using interposed adhesives or interposed materials with bonding properties - B32B 17/06: comprising glass as the main or only constituent of a layer, next to another layer of a specific {material} - B32B 17/10229: {Metallic layers sandwiched by dielectric layers} - B32B 17/10504: {Liquid crystal layer} - B32B 17/10541: {comprising a light source or a light guide} - B32B 17/10761: {containing vinyl acetal} - B60J 3/04: adjustable in transparency - B60J 7/043: Sunroofs (B60J7/047 - B60J7/053 take precedence){e.g. sliding above the roof} - B60Q 1/268: {on windscreens or windows (B60Q1/302 takes precedence; lighting devices for vehicle interior on or for windows B60Q3/208)} - B60Q 1/2696: {Mounting of devices using LEDs} - G02F 1/1334: based on polymer dispersed liquid crystals, e.g. microencapsulated liquid crystals - G02F 1/137: characterised by the electro-optical or magneto-optical effect, e.g. field-induced phase transition, orientation effect, guest-host interaction or dynamic scattering - B32B 2305/55: Liquid crystals - B32B 2307/412: Transparent - B32B 2315/08: Glass - B32B 2329/06: PVB, i.e. polyinylbutyral - B32B 2605/006: Transparent parts other than made from inorganic glass, e.g. polycarbonate glazings - G02F 1/133302: {Rigid substrates, e.g. inorganic substrates} - G02F 1/13756: {the liquid crystal selectively assuming a light-scattering state (G02F1/1334, G02F1/13718 take precedence)} - B60Q: ARRANGEMENT OF SIGNALLING OR LIGHTING DEVICES, THE MOUNTING OR SUPPORTING THEREOF OR CIRCUITS THEREFOR, FOR VEHICLES IN GENERAL - 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) - 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 Certain example embodiments relate to a vehicle window (e.g., sunroof). Side-firing LEDs are provided between first and second substantially parallel substrates and emit light towards central regions of the window. A liquid-crystal inclusive switchable film is provided between the first and second substrates. The liquid crystals are sized such that light received from the LEDs is redirected in a direction substantially normal to major surfaces of the first and second substrates. The switchable film is operable in at least first and second modes, with the window in the first mode having a visible transmission of less than 1%, and with the window in the second mode having a visible transmission of 7-15%. The switchable film and the LEDs are operable independently of one another in connection with the LEDs emitting light and the switchable film controlling visible transmission therethrough. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A sunroof for a vehicle, comprising: first and second glass substrates substantially parallel to one another; a plurality of light emitting diodes (LEDs) provided between the first and second substrates and being configured to emit light towards central regions of the sunroof; a light scattering layer provided between the first and second substrates, the light scattering layer having light scatterers disposed therein, the light scatterers being sized and arranged in the light scattering layer and relative to the LEDs such that light received from the LEDs is redirected in a direction substantially normal to major surfaces of the first and second substrates. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The sunroof of claim 1, wherein the light scattering layer is a liquid-crystal inclusive switchable film and the scatterers are liquid crystals. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The sunroof of claim 2, wherein the liquid crystals have a mean diameter of about 0.5 microns. ### Claim 4 (depends on 2) The sunroof of claim 2, wherein the switchable film comprises a polymer-dispersed liquid crystal (PDLC) film. ### Claim 5 (depends on 2) The sunroof of claim 2, wherein the switchable film is operable in at least first and second modes, the sunroof in the first mode having a visible transmission of less than 1%, the sunroof in the second mode having a visible transmission of 7-15%. ### Claim 6 (depends on 2) The sunroof of claim 2, wherein the switchable film is sandwiched between first and second conductive coatings and first and second carrier substrates. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The sunroof of claim 6, wherein: the LEDs are mounted on at least one substrate; bottom surfaces of the at least one substrate and the first carrier substrate are substantially even with one another when viewed in cross-section; and top surfaces of the LEDs and the second carrier substrate are substantially even with one another when viewed in cross-section. ### Claim 8 (depends on 2) The sunroof of claim 2, wherein the LEDs are side-firing LEDs spaced no more than 1-2 mm from adjacent edges of the light scattering layer. ### Claim 9 (depends on 2) The sunroof of claim 2, wherein the switchable film and the LEDs are operable independently of one another in connection with the LEDs emitting light and the switchable film controlling visible transmission therethrough. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The sunroof of claim 1, further comprising black paint or frit material disposed, directly or indirectly, on the first and/or substrates proximate to the LEDs and/or control circuitry thereof. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The sunroof of claim 10, wherein at least a portion of the black paint or frit material is removed to create a symbol, the symbol being back-lightable by diffuse light from one or more of the LEDs and/or direct light from a downward-facing LED. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The sunroof of claim 1, wherein the light scattering layer extends across substantially the entirety of the sunroof. ### Claim 13 A window, comprising: first and second glass substrates substantially parallel to one another; a plurality of light emitting diodes (LEDs) provided between the first and second substrates and being configured to emit light towards a center of the window; and a light scattering layer provided between the first and second substrates, the light scattering layer having light scatterers disposed therein, the light scatterers being sized and positioned relative to at least the LEDs such that light received from the LEDs is redirected in a direction substantially normal to major surfaces of the first and second substrates. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The window of claim 13, further comprising first and second laminating interlayers respectively provided between the first substrate and the light scattering layer, and between the second substrate and the light scattering layer. ### Claim 15 (depends on 13) The window of claim 13, wherein the light scattering layer is a liquid-crystal inclusive switchable film and the scatterers are liquid crystals. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) The window of claim 15, wherein the liquid crystals have a mean diameter of 475-665 nm. ### Claim 17 (depends on 15) The window of claim 15, wherein the switchable film is operable in at least first and second modes, the window in the first mode having a visible transmission of less than 1%, the window in the second mode having a visible transmission of 7-15%. ### Claim 18 (depends on 15) The window of claim 15, wherein: the switchable film is sandwiched between first and second conductive coatings and first and second carrier substrates; the LEDs are mounted on at least one substrate; bottom surfaces of the at least one substrate and the first carrier substrate are substantially even with one another when viewed in cross-section; and top surfaces of the LEDs and the second carrier substrate are substantially even with one another when viewed in cross-section. ### Claim 19 (depends on 15) The window of claim 15, wherein the LEDs are side-firing LEDs, and wherein light received from the LEDs is redirected in a direction substantially normal to the direction in which the light is emitted from the LEDs. ### Claim 20 (depends on 15) The window of claim 15, wherein the switchable film and the LEDs are operable independently of one another in connection with the LEDs emitting light and the switchable film controlling visible transmission therethrough. ### Claim 21 (depends on 13) The window of claim 13, wherein the LEDs directly physically contact peripheral edges of the light scattering layer. ### Claim 22 (depends on 13) The window of claim 13, further comprising black paint or frit material disposed, directly or indirectly, on the first and/or substrates proximate to the LEDs and/or control circuitry thereof. ### Claim 23 (depends on 22) The window of claim 22, wherein at least a portion of the black paint or frit material is removed to create a symbol. ### Claim 24 (depends on 13) The window of claim 13, wherein the symbol is back-lightable by diffuse light from one or more of the LEDs. ### Claim 25 (depends on 13) The window of claim 13, wherein the symbol is back-lightable by direct light from a downward-facing LED. ### Claim 26 A window, comprising: first and second glass substrates substantially parallel to one another; a plurality of side-firing light emitting diodes (LEDs) provided between the first and second substrates and being configured to emit light towards central regions of the window; and liquid-crystal inclusive switchable film provided between the first and second substrates, the liquid crystals of the liquid-crystal inclusive switchable film being sized such that light received from the LEDs is redirected in a direction substantially normal to major surfaces of the first and second substrates, wherein: the switchable film and the LEDs are operable independently of one another in connection with the LEDs emitting light and the switchable film controlling visible transmission therethrough, and the switchable film is operable in at least first and second modes, the window in the first mode having a visible transmission of less than 1%, the window in the second mode having a visible transmission of 7-15%. ### Claim 27 (depends on 26) The window of claim 26, wherein the liquid crystals have a mean diameter of 475-665 nm and/or the LEDs are spaced no more than 5-10 mm apart from the nearest peripheral edges of the light scattering layer. ### Claim 28 (depends on 26) The window of claim 26, wherein: the switchable film is sandwiched between first and second conductive coatings and first and second carrier substrates; the LEDs are mounted on at least one substrate; bottom surfaces of the at least one substrate and the first carrier substrate are substantially even with one another when viewed in cross-section; and top surfaces of the LEDs and the second carrier substrate are substantially even with one another when viewed in cross-section. ### Claim 29 (depends on 26) The window of claim 26, further comprising black paint or frit material disposed, directly or indirectly, on the first and/or substrates proximate to the LEDs and/or control circuitry thereof, wherein at least a portion of the black paint or frit material is removed to create a symbol, the symbol being back-lightable by diffuse light from one or more of the LEDs and/or by direct light from a downward-facing LED.