阅读说明：本技术 具有电可控光学特性的复合板以及复合板装置 (Composite plate with electrically controllable optical properties and composite plate arrangement ) 是由 F.曼茨 M.克莱因 S.舒尔泽 于 2020-01-27 设计创作，主要内容包括：本发明涉及一种具有电可控光学特性的复合板(1；12),其包括外板(2a)和内板(2b),所述外板和内板通过热塑性中间层(3)来彼此连接,其中具有电可控光学特性的光电子功能元件(4；S)被嵌入到所述中间层(3)中,所述光电子功能元件包括在第一载体膜(6)与第二载体膜(7)之间的活性层(5),所述活性层在两个表面上被分配透明的平面控制电极(8、9),其中包围光电子功能元件的中间层(3)和载体膜(6、7)分别包含热塑性材料,其中光电子功能元件包括多个可单独操控的功能区(S1-S4；S1’-S3’),所述功能区具有彼此绝缘的控制电极,所述控制电极分别直接与在外板与内板之间延伸的馈电线连接。(The invention relates to a composite panel (1; 12) having electrically controllable optical properties, comprising an outer panel (2 a) and an inner panel (2 b) which are connected to one another by means of a thermoplastic intermediate layer (3), wherein an optoelectronic functional element (4; S) having electrically controllable optical properties is embedded in the intermediate layer (3), which optoelectronic functional element comprises an active layer (5) between a first carrier film (6) and a second carrier film (7), which active layer is assigned transparent, planar control electrodes (8, 9) on both surfaces, wherein the intermediate layer (3) and the carrier films (6, 7) surrounding the optoelectronic functional element each comprise a thermoplastic material, wherein the optoelectronic functional element comprises a plurality of individually controllable functional zones (S1-S4; S1 '-S3') having control electrodes insulated from one another, the control electrodes are respectively directly connected with a feeder line extending between the outer plate and the inner plate.)

1. A composite panel (1; 12) having electrically controllable optical properties, comprising an outer panel (2 a) and an inner panel (2 b) which are connected to each other by means of a thermoplastic intermediate layer (3),

in which an optoelectronic functional element (4; S) with electrically controllable optical properties is embedded in the intermediate layer (3), comprising an active layer (5) between a first carrier film (6) and a second carrier film (7), which is assigned transparent planar control electrodes (8, 9) on both surfaces,

wherein the intermediate layer (3) and the carrier film (6, 7) surrounding the optoelectronic functional element each comprise a thermoplastic material,

wherein the optoelectronic functional element comprises a plurality of individually controllable functional zones (S1-S4; S1 '-S3') having mutually insulated control electrodes which are each connected directly to a supply line extending between the outer and inner plates.

2. The composite panel according to claim 1, wherein the optoelectronic functional element (4; S) is a PDLC functional element, a SPD functional element or an electrochromic functional element.

3. The composite plate according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the feed lines (L) are applied, in particular stamped, onto the inner side of the outer plate (2 a) or inner plate (2 b).

4. The composite panel according to claim 3, wherein the stamped feed lines (L) each comprise a control electrode edge conductor portion positioned and configured for linear contact with a side edge of a respective control electrode (8; 9) of the optoelectronic functional element (4; S).

5. Composite panel according to any of the preceding claims, configured as a front windscreen (1) or roof glass (12) of a road vehicle, in particular a passenger vehicle (13).

6. A composite panel according to claim 5, wherein the optoelectronic functional element (4; S) is positioned and configured as a multi-zone sun visor device (S1-S4) in an upper region of the composite panel configured as a front windscreen (1).

7. A composite panel according to claim 6, wherein the respective at least one functional zone (S3; S4) of the multi-zone sun visor device (S1-S4) extends over the right and left side edges of the front windshield (1).

8. A composite panel according to claim 5, wherein the optoelectronic functional element (4; S) is positioned and configured as a multi-zone sun visor device (S1 '-S3') in the region of the front edge of the composite panel configured as a roof glass (12).

9. The composite plate according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the feed line (L) is guided to a control electrode Connection Region (CR) on a single edge of the composite plate (1; 12).

10. The composite plate according to claim 9, wherein the ends of the feed lines (L) in the control electrode Connection Region (CR) at the edge of the composite plate (1; 12) are positioned and configured in a manner that matches standard connection elements (15) or standard plugs.

11. A composite plate arrangement (14), in particular a vehicle glazing unit, having:

a composite board (1; 12) according to any one of the preceding claims; and

a control unit (17) for controlling the optical properties of the electro-optical functional element,

wherein the control unit has a number of outputs corresponding to the number of functional zones (S1-S4; S1 '-S3') of the optoelectronic functional element (4; 5) for feeding a control signal to each functional zone via the supply line (L).

12. Composite plate device according to claim 11, wherein on a single edge of the composite plate (1; 12) a standard connection element (15) or a standard plug is placed in spatial association with a control electrode Connection Region (CR) on the composite plate, the supply line (L) leading on one side to the control electrode connection region and the control electrode connection region being connected on the other side to a centralized supply line (16) of the steering unit (17).

13. A road vehicle, in particular a passenger vehicle, having a composite plate arrangement according to claim 11 or 12.

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a composite plate having electrically controllable optical properties and to a composite plate arrangement comprising such a composite plate.

Background

Electro-optical functional elements with electrically controllable optical properties have long been known and are used in industrial mass production, for example in TV equipment, laptops, mobile/smart phones and tablets.

Composite plates with electrically controllable functional elements are also known per se. The optical properties of these functional elements can be changed by means of an applied voltage. An example of such a functional element is an SPD functional element (suspended particle device)

(suspended particle device)), which SPD functionality is known, for example, from EP 0876608B 1 and WO2011033313 a 1. The transmission of visible light through the SPD function may be controlled by the applied voltage. Another example is a PDLC functional element (polymer dispersed liquid crystal), which is known, for example, from DE 102008026339 a 1. Here, the active layer contains liquid crystals, which are embedded in a polymer matrix. If no voltage is applied, the liquid crystals are disorderly oriented, which results in strong scattering of light passing through the active layer. If a voltage is applied to the planar electrodes, the liquid crystals are aligned in a common direction and the transmission of light through the active layer is improved.

SPD and PDLC functional elements are commercially available as multilayer films, wherein an active layer and the planar electrodes required for the application of a voltage are arranged between two carrier films (usually made of PET). In the production of the composite panel, the functional elements are cut out of the multilayer film in the desired size and shape and inserted between the films of the intermediate layer, by means of which the two glass sheets are laminated to one another to form the composite panel.

Front windshields are proposed in which electrically controllable sun visors are realized by means of such functional elements in order to replace conventional mechanically foldable sun visors in motor vehicles. Front windshields with electrically controllable sun visors are known, for example, from DE102013001334 a1, DE 102005049081B 3, DE 102005007427 a1, DE 102007027296 a1, DE102004049091 a1, WO 2019/011891 a1 and DE 102004050987 a 1.

Composite panels with an integrated sun visor function, which are further improved with respect to their resistance to ageing and thus long-term reliability, are known from WO 2018/188844 of the applicant. This publication also discloses the division of the sun visor region of a front windshield of a passenger vehicle (PKW) into a plurality of strip-shaped sections, which each have separate electrical connection terminals. In a practical implementation, each of these bars is equipped with its own busbar at the short side edge for electrical connection with the handling unit.

Disclosure of Invention

The invention is based on the task of: an improved composite panel having electrically controllable optical properties is provided in which the applicability and user acceptance are improved and the manufacturing is designed to be simplified and less costly. A corresponding composite plate arrangement should also be described.

The object of the invention is achieved in its production by a composite plate according to independent claim 1. In terms of its device or system, this object is achieved by a composite plate device having the features of claim 11. Preferred embodiments emerge from the corresponding dependent claims.

The composite panel according to the invention comprises at least one outer panel and at least one inner panel, which are connected to one another by an intermediate layer. The composite panel is configured to: in window openings, for example in vehicles, buildings or rooms, the interior space is separated from the outside environment. For the purposes of the present invention, the inner panel is used to denote the panel facing the interior space. The external plate is used to indicate the plate facing the external environment. The thermoplastic interlayer is used to join the two panels, as is common in composite panels.

Preferably, the outer and inner plates are made of glass. In principle, however, they may also consist of plastic. The thickness of the outer and inner plates can vary within wide limits and is therefore adapted to the requirements in the specific case. Preferably, the outer and inner plates have a thickness of 0.5mm to 5mm, particularly preferably 1mm to 3 mm. These panels may be transparent or may also be tinted or colored, as long as the front windshield has sufficient light transmission in the central viewing zone, preferably at least 70% in the main transparent zone a according to ECE-R43.

The outer, inner and/or intermediate layer may have other suitable coatings known per se, such as anti-reflection coatings, anti-adhesion coatings, anti-scratch coatings, photocatalytic coatings, sun protection coatings or low emissivity coatings.

The composite panel according to the invention comprises an electro-optical functional element with electrically controllable optical properties, which is embedded in the intermediate layer. The functional element is arranged between at least two thermoplastic material layers of the intermediate layer, wherein the functional element is connected to the outer sheet by a first layer and to the inner sheet by a second layer.

The functional element comprises at least one active layer, which is arranged between the first carrier film and the second carrier film. The active layer has variable optical properties that can be controlled by a voltage applied to the active layer. Electrically controllable optical properties are understood to mean, in the sense of the present invention, such properties that can be controlled steplessly, but equally such properties that can be switched in two or more discrete states. The above-mentioned optical properties relate in particular to light transmission and/or scattering properties. The functional elements comprise planar electrodes (also referred to below as control electrodes) for applying a voltage to the active layer, which are preferably arranged between the carrier film and the active layer.

The basic idea of the invention is that: the individual functional regions, i.e. the individually controllable regions, of the electro-optical functional element are electrically connected in a simple and cost-effective manner and largely invisibly by: the thin supply lines are connected directly to the associated planes or control electrodes of the functional regions. In this context, "directly connected" means: within this composite plate, no bus bars (busbars) are present, but rather supply lines of small cross section, which are in direct electrical contact with the planar electrodes of the functional elements. In this case, a material connection can be provided (for example by means of a conductive adhesive), but this is not absolutely necessary for the implementation of the invention.

In one embodiment, the feed lines are applied, in particular stamped, on the outer or inner plate facing the intermediate layer. However, the term "feed line" is not necessarily and preferably also not to be understood as a conductor in the conventional sense, but in particular also includes a conductor set which is applied indirectly or directly to one of the glass panes of the composite pane. In this case, too, the printed conductor sets need not be involved, but they can also be produced by sputtering or other known deposition methods, or can be prefabricated conductors.

In a preferred embodiment, the functional element is a PDLC functional element. The active layer of the PDLC functional element contains liquid crystals, which are embedded in a polymer matrix. In a further preferred embodiment, the functional element is an SPD functional element. The active layer contains suspended particles, the absorption of light by the active layer being able to be varied by applying a voltage to the planar electrode. However, in principle it is also possible: other types of controllable functional elements are used, such as electrochromic functional elements. The mentioned controllable functional elements and their operating principle are known per se to the person skilled in the art, so that a detailed description may be omitted here.

Typically, the planar electrodes and the active layer are arranged substantially parallel to the surfaces of the outer and inner plates. The planar electrode is preferably designed as a transparent, electrically conductive layer. The planar electrode preferably contains at least one metal, metal alloy or Transparent Conducting Oxide (TCO). The planar electrode may for example comprise silver, gold, copper, nickel, chromium, tungsten, Indium Tin Oxide (ITO), gallium-doped or aluminium-doped zinc oxide and/or fluorine-doped or antimony-doped zinc oxide. The planar electrode preferably has a thickness of 10nm to 2 μm, particularly preferably 20nm to 1 μm, very particularly preferably 30nm to 500 nm.

The functional elements are present in particular as multilayer films having two outer carrier films. In the case of such multilayer films, the planar electrode and the active layer are usually arranged between the two carrier films. Here, the outer carrier film means: the carrier film forms both surfaces of the multilayer film. Thereby, the functional element may be provided as a laminated film, which may advantageously be processed. Advantageously, the functional element is protected against damage, in particular corrosion, by the carrier film.

In other embodiments of the invention it is provided that: for connecting the planar control electrode to a heating power supply, elongated connection regions are provided at opposite edges of the electro-optical functional element. In the case of groups of supply lines which are stamped or sputtered onto the inner surface of one of the glass plates, in particular, a rectilinear control electrode edge conductor section material can be uniformly attached to these groups of supply lines. The linear control electrode edge conductor portion is for: a linear, i.e. not only punctiform, electrical contact of at least a part of the side edges of the control electrodes of the corresponding functional parts and thereby a more uniform current density distribution is achieved.

The composite plate is preferably provided as a glazing, particularly preferably as a glazing for a vehicle, in particular for a motor vehicle, a building or a room. In a particularly advantageous embodiment, the composite panel is a front windshield of a motor vehicle, in particular a passenger vehicle, which has an electrically controllable sun visor implemented by means of functional elements.

Electrically controllable visors may make conventional, mechanically pivotable visors superfluous. Thereby, space is obtained in the passenger compartment of the vehicle, the weight of the vehicle is reduced and the risk of colliding with the sun visor during hard braking or during an accident is avoided. Furthermore, electrical control of the sun visor may feel more comfortable than mechanical roll-down.

The front windshield has an upper edge and a lower edge and two side edges extending between the upper edge and the lower edge. The edge which is provided for pointing upwards in the mounted position is indicated by the upper edge. The edge which is arranged to point downwards in the mounted position is indicated by the lower edge. The upper edge is often also referred to as the top edge and the lower edge as the engine edge. The edge of the functional element is referred to corresponding to the mounting position of the front windshield. The lower edge of the functional element is thus that one of the side edges of the functional element which faces away from the upper edge of the front windscreen and towards the central viewing area. The upper edge of the functional element is directed towards the upper edge of the front windscreen. The side edges extend between the upper edge and the lower edge.

The front windshield has a central viewing area, which places high demands on the optical quality of the central viewing area. The central viewing area must have a high light transmission (typically greater than 70%). The central viewing area is in particular the one referred to by the person skilled in the art as viewing area a, observation area a or area a. View B and its technical requirements are specified in United nations European economic Commission (UN/ECE) No. 43 regulation (ECE-R43, "unified Condition for safety glass materials and their Admissions for installation in vehicles"). In this example, view B is defined in appendix 18.

Here, the functional element is arranged above the center view (view B). This means that: the functional element is arranged in a region between a central viewing area and an upper edge of the front windshield. The functional element need not cover the entire area, but is positioned completely within the area and does not protrude into the central viewing area. In other words, the functional element has a smaller distance from the upper edge of the front windshield than the central viewing area. Thus, the transmission of the central viewing area is not impeded by the functional element, which is positioned in a position similar to that of a conventional mechanical sun visor in a flipped-down state.

According to the invention, the electronically controlled sun visor is realized as a multi-zone sun visor device with thin, optically practically undisturbed power feed lines within the composite panel, and potentially a high user acceptance is obtained due to the user's ability to differentiate the selected sun-shading function and to remove optically disturbing parts in the panel.

The plurality of functional regions may include left and right sunshade portions and/or a plurality of sunshade strips arranged in sequence in the height direction of the front windshield and optionally also include sunshade regions at or near the right and left side edges of the front windshield.

In the case of the implementation of the invention in the form of a roof pane, the functional zones can be implemented in particular in the longitudinal direction of the roof pane starting (in the installed state) at the front edge of the roof pane. However, within the scope of the invention, more varied geometric arrangements are also possible here, which are adapted to the type and the purpose of use of the corresponding vehicle.

It should also be noted that: embodiments of the invention are not limited to the realization of an integrated sun visor device in the front windshield or roof glass of a vehicle, but are also possible in other vehicle windows and for realizing other functions than a sun visor function, for example for a multiplicity of private functions or a defined display function.

The electrical control of the sun visor is effected, for example, by means of a push button, a rotary knob or a slider, which is integrated in the dashboard of the vehicle. However, the keys for adjusting the sun visor, for example capacitive keys, can also be integrated into the front windscreen. Alternatively, the sun visor can also be controlled by a contactless method, for example by recognizing gestures or depending on the state of the pupil or eyelid as determined by a camera and suitable analysis electronics. In principle, the electro-optical function can likewise be switched in respect of its electro-optical properties, which does not act as a sun visor but, for example, as part of a Head-Up-Display (Head-Up-Display).

The insulating lines between the individual functional regions or the associated control electrodes do not necessarily have to be straight. These insulated wires may also be slightly curved, preferably adapted to a possible curvature of the upper edge of the front windshield, in particular substantially parallel to the upper edge of the front windshield. Of course, insulated wires running vertically or obliquely are likewise possible. These insulated wires have, for example, a width of 5 μm to 500 μm, in particular 20 μm to 200 μm. The width of the segments, i.e. the distance of adjacent insulated wires, can be appropriately selected by the person skilled in the art according to the requirements in the specific case. The multilayer film that has been laminated can also be divided afterwards by means of laser ablation.

The upper and side edges of the functional element are preferably covered by an opaque cover print when viewed through the front windshield. The front windshield usually has a peripheral covering print made of opaque enamel, which is used in particular to protect the glue used to mount the front windshield against UV radiation and to optically cover it. Preferably, the peripheral cover print is used to: also covering the upper and side edges of the functional element, as well as the required electrical connection terminals. The sun visor is then advantageously integrated into the appearance of the front windscreen and only the lower edge may be visible to the observer. Preferably, both the outer and the inner plate have a covering print, so that the view from both sides is obstructed.

In a suitable structural embodiment of the invention, the supply lines are guided to the control electrode connection region on a single edge of the composite plate. This can be achieved: the control voltages for the individual functional regions of the electro-optical functional element are fed in a concentrated manner into the composite plate via the individual connection regions of the composite plate. This not only simplifies the manufacture of the composite panel itself but also the embedding of the composite panel in a vehicle or building, but also enables a sealing of the panel as omnidirectionally as possible, which leads to a high reliability. Likewise, embodiments are advantageous in which the ends of the feed lines in the control electrode connection regions at the edges of the composite plate are positioned and configured to match standard busbars or standard plugs.

In addition to the effects and advantages of the invention mentioned above, the following advantages can be achieved with the invention at least in advantageous embodiments:

the use of prefabricated electro-optical functional elements during the assembly of the composite plate is simplified and less susceptible to disturbances.

Smaller board area is required for installation.

Higher precision and tighter tolerances can be achieved during assembly.

A relatively large number of individual functional regions can be realized without problems until a "pixel-like" structure is reached.

In a device aspect, a standard bus bar or a standard plug is then placed on a single edge of the composite plate in spatial association with a control electrode connection area on the composite plate, to which the supply lines lead on one side and which is connected on the other side to the collective supply lines of the control unit.

Drawings

The invention is further elucidated on the basis of the figures and embodiments. The figures are schematic and not strictly to scale. The drawings are not intended to limit the invention in any way. Wherein:

fig. 1 shows a top view of a composite panel as a front windshield of a passenger vehicle (PKW) with electrically controllable sun visors;

FIG. 2 shows a cross section of the front windshield of FIG. 1;

fig. 3 shows an enlarged view of the region Z in fig. 2;

fig. 4 shows a schematic top view of a front windshield having a selectively controllable sun visor according to an embodiment of the present invention;

fig. 5 shows a schematic top view of a front windshield having a selectively controllable sun visor according to another embodiment of the present invention;

fig. 6 shows a schematic top view of a roof glass with a selectively controllable sun visor according to another embodiment of the present invention; while

Fig. 7 shows a diagrammatic view of a composite plate arrangement according to the invention.

Detailed Description

Fig. 1, 2 and 3 show a top view or a detail each of a front windscreen with an electrically controllable sun visor as an embodiment of a composite panel with electrically controllable optical properties. The front windshield 1 includes an outer panel 2a and an inner panel 2b, which are connected to each other by an intermediate layer 3. The outer panel 1 has a thickness of 2.1mm and consists of green-tinted soda lime glass. The outer plate 2b has a thickness of 1.6 mm and is composed of transparent soda lime glass. The windscreen has an upper edge D facing the roof in the mounted position and a lower edge M facing the engine compartment in the mounted position.

The front windscreen is equipped with electrically controllable visors S (as defined in ECE-R43) in the area above the central viewing zone B. The sun visor S is formed by a commercially available PDLC multilayer film embedded in the intermediate layer 3 as the functional element 4. The height of the sun visor is, for example, 21 cm. The intermediate layer 3 comprises a total of three thermoplastic layers 3a, 3b, 3c, each of which is formed by a 0.38mm thick thermoplastic film made of PVB. The first thermoplastic layer 3a is connected to the outer sheet 2a and the second thermoplastic layer 3b is connected to the inner sheet 2 b. The third thermoplastic layer 3c located therebetween has a segment into which the cut PDLC multilayer film is embedded substantially exactly, that is to say almost flush with all side edges. The third thermoplastic layer 3c thus appears to form a kind of base plate for the functional element 4, which is approximately 0.4mm thick, and which is therefore encapsulated in thermoplastic material in all directions and is thus protected.

The first thermoplastic layer 3a has a colored region 3a' disposed between the functional element 4 and the outer panel 2 a. As a result, the light transmission of the front windshield 1 is additionally reduced in the region of the sun visor 4 and the milky appearance of the PDLC functional element 4 in the diffuse state is reduced. Therefore, the front windshield is more attractive in appearance. The average light transmission of the first thermoplastic layer 3a in the region 3a' is, for example, 30%, whereby good results are achieved. The area 3a' may be uniformly colored. However, often optically more attractive are: the hue becomes lighter and lighter towards the lower edge of the functional element 4 so that the colored and uncolored areas smoothly transition into each other. In the case shown, the colored region 3a' and the lower edge of the PDLC functional element 4 are arranged flush. However, this need not be the case. It is also possible that: the coloured zone 3a 'protrudes beyond the functional element 4 or conversely the functional element 4 protrudes beyond the coloured zone 3 a'.

The controllable functional element 4 is a multilayer film consisting of an active layer 5 between two planar electrodes 8, 9 and two carrier films 6, 7. The active layer 5 includes a polymer matrix having liquid crystals dispersed therein, the liquid crystals being aligned according to a voltage applied to the planar electrode, whereby optical characteristics can be adjusted. The carrier films 6, 7 consist of PET and have a thickness of, for example, 0.125mm or 0.19 mm. The carrier films 6, 7 are provided with a coating of ITO with a thickness of approximately 100nm, which is formed by the planar electrodes 8, 9, facing the active layer 5. The planar electrodes 8, 9 can be connected to the vehicle electrical system by way of supply lines (not shown here), which are formed, for example, by screen printing with silver, and connection cables (not shown).

As is conventional, the front windshield 1 has a circumferential peripheral covering print 10, which is formed by opaque enamel on the surface of the outer pane 1 and the inner pane 2 on the interior side (facing the interior of the vehicle in the installed position). The distance of the functional element 4 from the upper edge D and the side edges of the front windscreen is smaller than the width of the cover print 10, so that the side edges of the functional element 4 are covered by the cover print 10 except for the side edges facing the central viewing area B. Reasonably, electrical connection terminals, not shown, are also arranged in the region of the cover print 10 and are therefore concealed.

Fig. 4 and 5 show a front windscreen 1 according to the invention with geometrically differently configured sun visor devices having a selectable sun visor effect.

In this case, fig. 4 shows a front windscreen 1 whose sun visor device S comprises four respective approximately rectangular sun visor portions S1-S4 as individually controllable functional zones. The functional regions S1 and S2 are disposed on the right or left side (from the driver' S perspective) of the upper edge of the front windshield, while the functional regions S3 and S4 are located on the right or left side below the functional regions S1 and S2. The drawings are not to be understood as being strictly to scale; in particular in practice the dividing line between these functional areas is narrower and may be below 1 mm.

In each of these functional zones (sun visor sections), the associated planar electrodes (not shown here) are electrically connected by a separate printed supply line L on the glass inner side of at least one of the outer and inner panels. The supply lines L are connected at one end to the planar electrodes via connection pads (not designated separately) and are guided in the central region above the front windshield 1 such that the other ends of these supply lines are adjacent to one another at the upper edge of the front windshield and form a control electrode connection region CR there. The control electrode connection region is configured such that it can be contacted by a standard busbar or a standard plug (likewise not shown here), whereby an electrical connection of the control electrodes of the sun visor function regions S1-S4 to a suitable operating unit is then established.

Fig. 5 shows an embodiment of the front windshield 1 modified in the geometrical configuration of the sunshade portion. Here, the functional regions (sunshade portions) S1 and S2 are arranged on the right or left side of the upper edge of the front windshield similarly as in the embodiment according to fig. 4, but the regions S3 and S4 are not arranged below the functional regions S1 and S2, but are arranged on the right or left side edge in the upper region of the front windshield 1. Here, the geometric configurations of the regions S1-S4 are also to be understood merely as exemplary and not strictly to scale.

The functional zones S1-S4 are in turn realized by thin and thus hardly visible printed supply lines L in the front windshield and are grouped in the middle area of the upper edge of the panel in a control electrode connection region CR. Here, the other end of the supply line L has elongate printed control electrode edge conductor sections (not separately designated) which constitute elongate contact areas with the plane or material of the control electrodes. As in the embodiment according to fig. 4, it will be understood that: the supply lines for the lower and upper planar electrodes of the functional zones S1-S4 in the front windshield composite overlap, so that only one supply line is visible for each functional zone in this illustration.

However, this configuration of the feeder is not mandatory; rather, the supply lines for the two control or planar electrodes of a functional zone can also be applied side by side to the inner glass surface (of the outer or inner pane). The latter embodiment is preferred in practice, but is not shown in the diagrammatic drawings presented here for reasons of clarity.

Fig. 6 likewise shows diagrammatically and not to scale an embodiment of the invention in respect of a roof glass 12 of a passenger vehicle (PKW) 13. Here, the sun visor device S 'is implemented with three individually controllable wide sun visor regions S1', S2 'and S3' arranged from front to rear in the longitudinal direction of the roof glass 12. As in the case of the front windshields according to fig. 4 and 5, these regions are each connected by a thin supply line L, which is integrated in the control electrode connection region CR in the side edge regions of the roof pane 12. The connection region is also configured such that it can be brought into contact with a standard connection element on the side edge of the roof pane in order to ensure that the control electrodes of the sunshade panel regions S1 'to S3' are fed with a control voltage from the corresponding control unit.

It is easy to understand that: in the vehicle 13, which is shown diagrammatically from above in fig. 6, the front windscreen 1 can also be equipped with a sun visor device of the type according to the invention, but this is not shown for reasons of greater clarity.

Fig. 7 schematically shows the main parts of a composite panel arrangement 14 according to the invention, which here illustratively comprises a front windshield 1 of the type as explained in different respects further above and as illustrated by way of example in fig. 4 and 5. Here, the control electrode connection region CR of the front windshield glass 1 is shown enlarged, and it can be seen that: here eight feed lines or printed conductor sets L lead parallel to each other to the upper side edge D of the front windscreen. There, a standard connection element 15 with eight connection poles is laid onto the board edge, which has the following internal configuration: the conductors L extending in the plate interspace are contacted by respective connection poles. Connecting elements having such a function are known per se and are therefore not further described here.

The connecting element 15 is connected via a multicore cable 16 to a control unit 17, which supplies the control voltages for the control electrodes of the functional regions implemented in the front windshield 1. On the input side, the control unit 17 is connected to an operating assembly 18, which is configured to preselect the functional zones (sun visor sections) to be activated by the driver or passenger of the passenger vehicle (PKW). The manner in which this can be achieved is set forth above by way of example.

As a whole, the embodiments of the invention are not limited to the aspects highlighted above and to the examples described above, but are equally possible in a number of modifications within the scope of the appended claims.

Reference numerals

1 front windshield

2a outer plate

2b inner plate

3 thermoplastic interlayer

3a first layer of the intermediate layer 3

3a' colored region of the first layer 3a

3b second layer of the intermediate layer 3

3c third layer of the intermediate layer 3

4 functional element with electrically controllable optical properties

5 active layer of functional element 4

6 first carrier film for functional elements 4

7 second carrier film for functional elements 4

8. 9 planar electrodes of functional elements 4

10 cover printing

14 composite plate device

15 standard connecting element

16 connecting line of connecting element

17 operating unit

18 operating assembly

Observation area of B front windshield

CR control electrode connection region

D front windshield upper edge

Lower edge of M front windshield

L feeder

S sun shield

S1, S2, S3, S4 visor portion (functional region of functional element)

Line of X-X' hatching

Z fragment area.