Glass laminated articles and layered articles

Cross-reference of related applications

This application claims priority to US Provisional Patent Application No. 61 / 057,344 filed May 30, 2008 and US Patent Application No. 12 / 427,397 filed April 21, 2009.

Embodiments of the present invention relate to laminated articles and layered articles, and more specifically to low alkaline glass laminated articles and layered articles useful, for example, in electrochromic devices.

The handling of natural light is a matter to be considered in architectural design, for example, how to maximize the outside view while ensuring that the interior of the building is comfortable for the occupants. For example, too much light can increase the heat and / or brightness inside the building. Windows that can be switched from transparent to varying degrees of coloration and returned to transparent, such as electrochromic windows, have one or more inconveniences associated with increased glass use, such as heat gain and glare. Developed to minimize.

Windows for use in automobiles and construction, for example, must meet some safety regulations and undergo mechanical strength tests such as debris crash tests and post-breakage wind cycling. .. Windows benefit from increased mechanical strength, for example to withstand environmental conditions.

Functional materials for electrochromic, photochromic, thermochromic, and low-e (low emissivity) type applications are usually laminated on a thick soda-lime glass substrate, which is a second thick to meet the safety requirements above. It is laminated on a soda-lime glass substrate. Substrates are often coated with a barrier layer to minimize the diffusion of alkali, eg sodium, from the substrate into the functional material. However, any damage in the barrier layer, such as scratches, can allow sodium or alkali to penetrate the functional material and reduce the utility of the functional material. Defects in soda-lime glass, such as air bubbles, scratches, and foreign matter, can also reduce the utility of functional materials.

Glass strength can depend on exposure temperature, aspect ratio, plate size, hardness and loading time. Laminated glazing is made by annealing, heat strengthening, and / or complete tempering for additional benefits such as increased resistance to wind pressure, impact resistance or increased resistance to thermal stress. May be good.

<p num="0007"> It would be advantageous to have laminated and layered articles that can minimize alkaline diffusion, such as sodium diffusion, and maximize mechanical strength and / or transparency.</p>

<p num="0008"> The laminated and layered articles of the present invention address one or more of the above disadvantages of conventional laminated and layered articles and provide one or more of the following advantages: Alkaline diffusion from glass into functional materials, For example, it minimizes sodium diffusion, reduces defects in glass, increases transparency and minimizes weight.</p><p num="0009"> One embodiment is an article that includes: 50 × 10^-7A glass layer with a coefficient of thermal expansion of / ° C or less; Functional material placed on the glass layer; Substrates containing glass, polymers, or combinations thereof and having a thickness greater than the glass layer; and A laminate layer placed between a substrate and either a glass layer or a functional material.</p><p num="0010"> Another embodiment is an article that includes: A glass layer with a sodium oxide content of 10% by weight or less; Electrochromic, thermochromic, photochromic, low-e type, aggressive defrosting, transparent conductive oxidizing materials, or combinations thereof placed on a glass layer; Substrates containing glass, polymers, or combinations thereof and having a thickness greater than the glass layer; and A laminate layer placed between a substrate and either a glass layer or a functional material.</p><p num="0011"> Another embodiment is an article that includes: 50 × 10^-7A glass layer with a coefficient of thermal expansion of / ° C or less; Electrochromic material placed on the glass layer; and A protective layer placed on the surface of the electrochromic material that does not come into contact with the glass layer.</p><p num="0012"> Further features and advantages of the present invention are set forth in the detailed description below, some of which will be apparent to those skilled in the art from the specification, or as described in the specification and claims, as well as in the accompanying drawings. Will be recognized by practicing the present invention.</p><p num="0013"> It is understood that both the general description above and the detailed description below are merely exemplary of the invention and are intended to provide an overview or framework for understanding the properties and characteristics of the claimed invention. Should be.</p><p num="0014"> The accompanying drawings are included to provide a further understanding of the invention and are incorporated herein by them. The drawings show one or more embodiments of the invention and, together with the specification, serve to explain the principles and actions of the invention.</p><p num="0015"> The present invention can be understood only from the following detailed description or with the accompanying drawings.</p>

<figref num="1">Schematic of an article according to an embodiment</figref><figref num="2">Schematic of an article according to an embodiment</figref><figref num="3">Schematic of an article according to an embodiment</figref>

Next, various embodiments of the present invention are referred to in detail, some of which are shown in the accompanying drawings. Wherever possible, the same reference numbers are used to refer to the same or similar parts throughout the drawing.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, certain embodiments are articles 100 and 200, respectively, including: 50 × 10^-7Glass layer with a coefficient of thermal expansion of / ° C or less 12; Functional materials placed on the glass layer 10; Substrates 16; and have a thickness greater than the glass layer, including glass, polymers, or combinations thereof. Laminate layer 14 placed between the substrate and either the glass layer or the functional material.

Another embodiment is an article that includes: Glass layer with alkali oxide content of 10% by mass or less; Electrochromic, thermochromic, photochromic, low-e type, aggressive defrosting, transparent conductive oxidizing materials, or combinations thereof placed on a glass layer; Substrates containing glass, polymers, or combinations thereof and having a thickness greater than the glass layer; and A laminate layer placed between a substrate and either a glass layer or a functional material.

Another embodiment is an article that includes: A glass layer with a sodium oxide content of 10% by weight or less; Electrochromic, thermochromic, photochromic, low-e type, aggressive defrosting, transparent conductive oxidizing materials, or combinations thereof placed on a glass layer; Substrates containing glass, polymers, or combinations thereof and having a thickness greater than the glass layer; and A laminate layer placed between a substrate and either a glass layer or a functional material.

Another embodiment is an article that includes: 50 × 10^-7A glass layer with a coefficient of thermal expansion of / ° C or less; Electrochromic material placed on the glass layer; Substrates containing glass, polymers, or combinations thereof and having a thickness greater than the glass layer; and A laminate layer placed between a substrate and either a glass layer or a functional material.

Another embodiment is an article that includes: A transparent glass layer having an alkali oxide content of 10% by mass or less and having a thickness of 0.5 mm to 4 mm; Electrochromic material placed on a transparent glass layer; Substrates containing glass, polymers, or combinations thereof and having a thickness greater than the clear glass layer; and Polyvinyl butyral, UV curable resin, thermoplastics, thermoplastic ionoplast, polycarbonate, polyurethane, UV curable polymers, silicones, and theirs placed between the substrate and either the clear glass layer or the functional material. Laminate layer containing the material selected from the combination of.

According to some embodiments, the glass layer is 4.0 mm or less, for example 3.5 mm or less, for example 3.2 mm or less, for example 3.0 mm or less, for example 2.5 mm or less, for example 2.0 mm or less, for example. It has a thickness of 1.9 mm or less, for example 1.8 mm or less, for example 1.5 mm or less, for example 1.1 mm or less, for example 0.5 mm to 2.0 mm, for example 0.5 mm to 1.1 mm, for example 0.7 mm to 1.1 mm. .. Although these are exemplary thicknesses, the glass may have any numerical thickness in the range 0.1 mm to 4.0 mm, including decimals.

The glass layer has a relatively low coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE), for example 50 × 10.^-7Below / ° C, for example 35 × 10^-7It may have less than / ° C. According to one embodiment, the glass layer is 20 x 10^-750 × 10 from / ° C^-7Up to / ° C, for example 20 × 10^-735 × 10 from / ° C^-7Has a CTE up to / ° C.

In some embodiments, the glass layer is transparent.

In certain embodiments, the laminate layer comprises materials selected from polyvinyl butyral, UV curable resins, thermoplastics, thermoplastic ionoplasts, polycarbonates, polyurethanes, UV curable polymers, silicones, and combinations thereof.

According to certain embodiments, the substrate comprises glass, polymer, or a combination thereof. For example, the substrate may contain a material selected from float glass, fusion formable glass, soda-lime glass, plastics, polycarbonate, and combinations thereof.

The electrochromic, thermochromic, photochromic, low-e type, aggressive defrosting, or transparent conductive oxidizing materials may have a single layer or multiple layers. The electrochromic functional material may have a plurality of layers such as an electrode layer, a counter electrode layer, and an ionic conduction layer. In some embodiments, the layer may comprise a solid inorganic material.

According to one embodiment, the glass layer comprises an alkali oxide content of 10% by weight or less, such as 9% or less, such as 8% or less, such as 5% or less, such as 0.5% or less. In certain embodiments, the alkali oxide content ranges from 0.1% to 10%. Although these are exemplary alkali oxide contents, the glass layer may have an alkali oxide content of any value, including decimals, in the range 0 to 10% by mass.

According to one embodiment, the glass layer comprises 10% by weight or less, eg, 9% or less, eg, 8% or less, eg, 5% or less, eg, 0.5% or less sodium oxide content. In certain embodiments, the sodium oxide content ranges from 0.1% to 10%. Although these are exemplary sodium oxide contents, the glass layer may have any numerical sodium oxide content, including decimals, in the range 0-10% by weight.

According to some embodiments, the structure of the article may be, for example, as represented by FIGS. 1 and 2, but other structures may be used according to the present invention. For example, the laminate layer may be placed between the substrate and either the glass layer or the functional material.

Another embodiment shown in Figure 3 is Article 300, which includes: 50 × 10^-7A glass layer with a glass layer having a coefficient of thermal expansion of / ° C or less 18; an electrochromic material 20 placed on the glass layer; and a protective layer 22 placed on the surface of the electrochromic material that does not come into contact with the glass layer. .. According to one embodiment, the article further comprises a sealing material 24 that binds the protective layer to the glass layer, and the protective layer, the glass layer, and the combination of the sealing materials both surround the electrochromic material. The sealing material may be selected from frit, glass sheet, and sputtered glass. The sealing material, in combination with a protective layer and a glass layer, by exposing the electrochromic material to the environment, for example, during transportation, during the manufacture of windows, and / or in final products such as windows in buildings or automobiles. The adverse effects can be minimized.

In this embodiment, the electrochromic material may have a plurality of layers such as an electrode layer, a counter electrode layer, and an ionic conduction layer. In some embodiments, the layer may comprise a solid inorganic material.

In this embodiment, the glass layer is 4.0 mm or less, for example 3.5 mm or less, for example 3.2 mm or less, for example 3.0 mm or less, for example 2.5 mm or less, for example 2.0 mm or less, for example 1.9 mm or less. For example, it may have a thickness of 1.8 mm or less, for example 1.5 mm or less, for example 1.1 mm or less, for example 0.5 mm to 2.0 mm, for example 0.5 mm to 1.1 mm, for example 0.7 mm to 1.1 mm. .. Although these are exemplary thicknesses, the glass may have any numerical thickness in the range 0.1 mm to 4.0 mm, including decimals.

The glass layer has a relatively low coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE), for example 50 × 10.^-7Below / ° C, for example 35 × 10^-7It may have less than / ° C. According to one embodiment, the glass layer is 20 x 10^-750 × 10 from / ° C^-7/ ° C, for example 20 × 10^-735 × 10 from / ° C^-7Has a CTE of / ° C.

In some embodiments, the glass layer is transparent.

The protective layer may provide chemical or mechanical durability. The protective layer may be a sputtered glass layer or a sheet of glass, for example, a transparent glass layer or a sheet. According to some embodiments, the protective layer is 4.0 mm or less, for example 3.5 mm or less, for example 3.2 mm or less, for example 3.0 mm or less, for example 2.5 mm or less, for example 2.0 mm or less, for example. It has a thickness of 1.9 mm or less, for example 1.8 mm or less, for example 1.5 mm or less, for example 1.1 mm or less, for example 0.5 mm to 2.0 mm, for example 0.5 mm to 1.1 mm, for example 0.7 mm to 1.1 mm. .. Although these are exemplary thicknesses, the protective layer may have any numerical thickness in the range 0.1 mm to 4.0 mm, including decimals.

The protective layer has a relatively low coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE), for example 50 × 10.^-7Below / ° C, for example 35 × 10^-7It may have less than / ° C. According to one embodiment, the protective layer is 20 x 10^-750 × 10 from / ° C^-7/ ° C, for example 20 × 10^-735 × 10 from / ° C^-7Has a CTE of / ° C.

In some embodiments, the protective layer is transparent.

In some embodiments, the electrochromic material may have multiple layers such as an electrode layer, a counter electrode layer, and an ionic conduction layer. In some embodiments, the layer may comprise a solid inorganic material.

Laminating thin, low CTE, low alkaline glass coated with a functional material on thick soda-lime glass can improve the process and minimize costs. Low CTE, low alkaline glass is durable, has increased transparency compared to soda-lime glass, and can be made with minimal defects, for example in display glass applications for televisions.

In architectural windows, commercially available windows are usually 6 mm thick. According to the present invention, low CTE, low alkaline glass from 0.7 mm to 1.1 mm can be laminated to soda-lime glass less than 6 mm using polyvinyl butyral laminate in one of many lamination steps. Soda-lime glass may be annealed, heat-strengthened (HS) and / or completely tempered, depending on the strength required to meet the relevant transport or building regulations.

In this embodiment, the soda-lime glass is annealed, heat-strengthened (usually twice as strong as annealed glass) and / or completely tempered (usually four times as strong as annealed glass) and according to transport or building regulations. It offers the advantage of strength in that it can provide the additional mechanical strength that may be needed. Low CTE low alkaline glass is usually only available in annealed form, so the substrate, the soda-lime glass in this example, provides increased strength of the laminated article.

According to the present invention, the glass layer provides one or more of the following advantages: low alkaline glass reduces the need for a barrier layer on soda-lime glass to minimize sodium / alkali diffusion; Low-alkali glass enhances the performance of organic or inorganic coatings, such as electrochromic, thermochromic, photochromic, low-e; low-alkali glass can be processed at high temperatures; low-alkali glass can be cut after coating. Thin low-alkali glass is low in weight and minimizes the costs associated with low-CTE, low-alkali products.

Lamination can provide one or more of the following benefits: safety, security, noise reduction, UV control, weather / natural disaster benefits, durability, design versatility, ease of installation, and low visual distortion. Lamination can be used to laminate thin low alkaline glass on various substrates. This is useful for adjusting other properties such as color or self-cleaning properties.

The laminated and layered articles of the present invention are, for example, common means of transportation (cars, trains, small rails, airplanes, buses), electrochromic windows for buildings (commercial and residential), and buildings (commercial). Can be used for PV cells for (and residential) and on / off grids.

Laminated articles and layered articles may be incorporated, for example, as single window frames, double window frames, or triple window frames as outer, central, or inner window frames of windows.

It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and changes can be made to the present invention without departing from the principles and scope of the present invention. Accordingly, the invention is intended to include modifications and variations of the invention as long as it is based on the appended claims and their equivalents.