EP0410952A2
Expired / Lapsed
EP
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Optical element for a vehicle windshield
Assignee: Monsanto Co
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Filing: 1990-07-23
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Granted: —
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Expires: 2010-07-23
Abstract
Abstract An optical element for a motor vehicle windshield comprises, in combination, an interference filter having one or more light-reflecting metal layers and one or more reflection-suppressing layers for coacting with the one or more metal layers to minimize reflection and enhance transmission in the visible region, a gradient band continuation of the interference filter above the direct line of forward vision through a windshield when disposed in a motor vehicle for reflective rejection of solar energy, such band including a light-reflecting metal layer gradually increasing in thickness toward a lateral edge of the band and an optional anti-glare backing behind the gradient band for suppressing luminous reflection from within the motor vehicle when the optical element is disposed in the windshield. Also optionally includable are plural bus bars substantially parallel to the lateral edge of the gradient band in electrical contact with the metal layers of the interference filter and the gradient band continuation.
Inventors
- 👤 Floyd Eugene Woodard
- 👤 Zane Victor Zeable
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
EP
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 12:59
CPC Classifications
G; G02; G02B; G02B1/00; G02B1/10; B; B32; B32B; B32B17/00; B32B17/06; B32B17/10; B32B17/10005; B32B17/10165; B32B17/10174; B32B17/1055; B32B17/10761; B32B27/00; B32B27/36; B60; B60J; B60J3/00; B60J3/007; G02B1/11; G02B1/113; G02B1/115; G02B1/116; G02B27/00; G02B27/01; G02B27/0101; H; H05; H05B; H05B3/00; H05B3/84; B60J1/00; B60J1/002; G02B2027/0118; G02B2027/012; G02B2027/0192; G02B2027/0194; G02B5/00; G02B5/20; G02B5/28
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 44
Claim 1
Independent Claim
99 words
A solar screening film for a motor vehicle windshield comprising: (a) an interference filter which includes one or more light-reflecting metal layers and one or more reflection-suppressing layers for coacting with the one or more metal layers to minimize reflection and enhance transmission in the visible region; and (b) a gradient band continuation of said interference filter above the direct line of vision through a windshield when said film is disposed therein in a motor vehicle, for reflective rejection of solar energy, said band including a light-reflecting metal layer gradually increasing in thickness toward an edge of said film.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
99 words
A solar screening film for a motor vehicle windshield comprising: (a) an interference filter which includes one or more light-reflecting metal layers and one or more reflection-suppressing layers for coacting with the one or more metal layers to minimize reflection and enhance transmission in the visible region; and (b) a gradient band continuation of said interference filter above the direct line of vision through a windshield when said film is disposed therein in a motor vehicle, for reflective rejection of solar energy, said band including a light-reflecting metal layer gradually increasing in thickness toward an edge of said film.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
37 words
The film of claim 1 wherein the thickness of the metal layer of the gradient band continuation increases from about 60 to 200 Angstroms at the confluence with the interference filter to about 200 to 1000 Angstroms.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
19 words
The film of claim 1 wherein the gradient band continuation includes extension(s) of the one or more reflection-suppresssing layers.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
20 words
The film of claim 3 wherein the extension(s) of the one or more reflection-suppressing layers are substantially uniform in thickness.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
41 words
The film of claim 4 wherein the thickness of the extension(s) of the one or more reflection-suppressing layers of the gradient band continuation are substantially the same as the thickness of the one or more reflection-suppressing layers of the interference filter.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
31 words
The film of claim 5 including a high reflectance region comprising a further continuation of said metal layer having a thickness greater than the minimum thickness of the metal layer extension.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
25 words
The film of claim 5 wherein the interference filter includes two metal layers, each surface of which is in face-to-face engagement with a dielectric layer.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
34 words
The film of any of claims 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 or 7 wherein the metal layer, the extension of the metal layer and the further continuation of the metal layer comprise silver.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
93 words
A solar screening film for a motor vehicle windshield comprising: (a) an interference filter segment comprising two or more light-reflecting metal layers, each surface of which is contiguous with a dielectric layer; and (b) an integral gradient band continuation of said interference filter above the direct line of vision through a windshield when said solar screening film is disposed in a motor vehicle, for reflective rejection of infra-red solar energy, said band including an extension of one of the light-reflecting metal layers gradually increasing in thickness toward a marginal edge of the film.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
93 words
A solar screening film for a motor vehicle windshield comprising: (a) an interference filter segment comprising two or more light-reflecting metal layers, each surface of which is contiguous with a dielectric layer; and (b) an integral gradient band continuation of said interference filter above the direct line of vision through a windshield when said solar screening film is disposed in a motor vehicle, for reflective rejection of infra-red solar energy, said band including an extension of one of the light-reflecting metal layers gradually increasing in thickness toward a marginal edge of the film.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
23 words
The film of claim 9 wherein the two or more light-reflecting metal layers of the interference filter segment are of substantially uniform thickness.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
23 words
The film of claim 10 wherein the gradient band continuation includes extensions of each of the dielectric layers of the interference filter segment.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
36 words
The film of claim 11 wherein the thicknesses of the extensions of the dielectric layers of the gradient band continuation are substantially the same as the thicknesses of the dielectric layers of the interference filter segment.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
45 words
The film of any of claims 9, 10, 11 or 12 wherein the varying thickness of the metal layer of the gradient band continuation increases from about 60 to 200 Angstroms at the confluence with the interference filter segment to about 200 to 1000 Angstroms.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
22 words
The film of claim 13 wherein each metal layer of the interference filter segment and of the gradient band continuation comprises silver.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
139 words
An optical element for a motor vehicle windshield comprising, in combination: (a) an interference filter which includes one or more light-reflecting metal layers and one or more reflection-suppressing layers for coacting with the one or more metal layers to minimize reflection and enhance transmission in the visible region; (b) a gradient band continuation of said interference filter above the direct line of vision through a windshield when disposed in a motor vehicle for reflective rejection of infra-red solar energy, said band including a light-reflecting metal layer gradually increasing in thickness toward a lateral edge of said band; (c) a transparent substrate supporting said filter and gradient band; (d) plural bus bars substantially parallel to said lateral edge in electrical contact with one or more metal layers of the interference filter and the metal layer of the gradient band continuation.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
139 words
An optical element for a motor vehicle windshield comprising, in combination: (a) an interference filter which includes one or more light-reflecting metal layers and one or more reflection-suppressing layers for coacting with the one or more metal layers to minimize reflection and enhance transmission in the visible region; (b) a gradient band continuation of said interference filter above the direct line of vision through a windshield when disposed in a motor vehicle for reflective rejection of infra-red solar energy, said band including a light-reflecting metal layer gradually increasing in thickness toward a lateral edge of said band; (c) a transparent substrate supporting said filter and gradient band; (d) plural bus bars substantially parallel to said lateral edge in electrical contact with one or more metal layers of the interference filter and the metal layer of the gradient band continuation.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
38 words
The optical element of claim 15 wherein the thickness of the metal layer of the gradient band continuation increases from about 60 to 2,000 Angstroms at the confluence with the interference filter to about 200 to 1,000 Angstroms.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
20 words
The optical element of claim 15 wherein the gradient band continuation includes extensions of the one or more reflection-suppressing layers.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
21 words
The optical element of claim 17 wherein the extension(s) of the one or more reflection-suppressing layers are substantially uniform in thickness.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
42 words
The optical element of claim 18 wherein the thickness of the extension(s) of the one or more reflection-suppressing layers of the gradient band continuation are substantially the same as the thickness of the one or more reflection-suppressing layers of the interference filter.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
26 words
The optical element of claim 19 wherein the interference filter includes two metal layers, each surface of which is in face-to-face engagement with a dielectric layer.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
27 words
The optical element of any of claims 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, or 20 wherein the metal layer and the extension of the metal layer comprise silver.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
44 words
The optical element of claim 21 wherein the extension of the metal layer includes a high reflectance region in electrical contact with one of the bus bars of substantially constant metal thickness which is greater than the minimum thickness of the metal layer extensions.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
135 words
An optical element for a motor vehicle windshield comprising, in combination: (a) an interference filter interposed in the direct line of vision through a windshield when said optical element is disposed therein in a motor vehicle, comprising two or more light-reflecting metal layers, each surface of which is contiguous with a dielectric layer; (b) an integral gradient band extension of a metal layer of the interference filter gradually increasing in thickness toward a lateral edge of said element; (c) a transparent substrate supporting said filter and extension; and (d) plural conducting members parallel to said lateral edge in electrically conductive contact with metal layers of the interference filter and gradient band extension; whereby on supplying electrical power to said optical element, conductivity through the interference filter will be greater than through the gradient band extension.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
135 words
An optical element for a motor vehicle windshield comprising, in combination: (a) an interference filter interposed in the direct line of vision through a windshield when said optical element is disposed therein in a motor vehicle, comprising two or more light-reflecting metal layers, each surface of which is contiguous with a dielectric layer; (b) an integral gradient band extension of a metal layer of the interference filter gradually increasing in thickness toward a lateral edge of said element; (c) a transparent substrate supporting said filter and extension; and (d) plural conducting members parallel to said lateral edge in electrically conductive contact with metal layers of the interference filter and gradient band extension; whereby on supplying electrical power to said optical element, conductivity through the interference filter will be greater than through the gradient band extension.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
14 words
The optical element of claim 23 wherein the interference filter contains two metal layers.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
34 words
The optical element of claim 24 wherein the thickness of the metal layer extension increases from about 60 to 200 Angstroms at the confluence with the interference filter to about 200 to 1000 Angstroms.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
37 words
The optical element of any of claims 23, 24, or 25 wherein the gradient band extension is above said direct line of vision through said windshield when the optical element is disposed therein in a motor vehicle.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
122 words
An optical element for a motor vehicle windshield comprising, in combination: (a) an interference filter which includes one or more light-reflecting metal layers and one or more reflection-suppressing layers for coacting with the one or more metal layers to minimize reflection and enhance transmission in the visible region; (b) a gradient band continuation of said interference filter above the direct line of vision through a windshield when disposed in a motor vehicle, for reflective rejection of solar energy, said band including a light-reflecting metal layer gradually increasing in thickness toward a lateral edge of said band; (c) an anti-glare backing behind said gradient band for suppressing luminous reflection from within said motor vehicle when said optical element is disposed in said windshield.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
122 words
An optical element for a motor vehicle windshield comprising, in combination: (a) an interference filter which includes one or more light-reflecting metal layers and one or more reflection-suppressing layers for coacting with the one or more metal layers to minimize reflection and enhance transmission in the visible region; (b) a gradient band continuation of said interference filter above the direct line of vision through a windshield when disposed in a motor vehicle, for reflective rejection of solar energy, said band including a light-reflecting metal layer gradually increasing in thickness toward a lateral edge of said band; (c) an anti-glare backing behind said gradient band for suppressing luminous reflection from within said motor vehicle when said optical element is disposed in said windshield.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
39 words
The optical element of claim 27 including plural bus bars substantially parallel to said lateral edge in electrical contact with the one or more metal layers of the interference filter and the metal layer of the gradient band continuation.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
15 words
The optical element of claim 27 wherein the anti-glare backing is a dyed plastic layer.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
17 words
The optical element of claim 27 wherein the anti-glare backing is a metal layer of graduated thickness.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
23 words
The optical element of claim 30 wherein the thickness profile of the metal layer tracks the thickness profile of the gradient band continuation.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
44 words
The optical element of any of claims 27, 28 or 30 wherein the thickness of the metal layer of the gradient band continuation increases from about 60 to 200 Angstroms at the confluence with the interference filter up to about 200 to 1000 Angstroms.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
25 words
The optical element of any of claims 27, 28 or 30 wherein the gradient band continuation includes extension of the one or more reflection-suppressing layers.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
116 words
An optical element for a motor vehicle windshield comprising, in combination: (a) an interference filter comprising two or more light-reflecting metal layers, each surface of which is contiguous with a dielectric layer; (b) an integral gradient band continuation of said interference filter above the direct line of vision through a windshield when disposed in a motor vehicle, for reflective rejection of solar energy, said band including an extension of one of the light-reflecting metal layers gradually increasing in thickness toward a marginal edge of the gradient band; and (c) an anti-glare backing behind said gradient band for absorptive suppression of luminous reflection from within said motor vehicle when said optical element is disposed in said windshield.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
116 words
An optical element for a motor vehicle windshield comprising, in combination: (a) an interference filter comprising two or more light-reflecting metal layers, each surface of which is contiguous with a dielectric layer; (b) an integral gradient band continuation of said interference filter above the direct line of vision through a windshield when disposed in a motor vehicle, for reflective rejection of solar energy, said band including an extension of one of the light-reflecting metal layers gradually increasing in thickness toward a marginal edge of the gradient band; and (c) an anti-glare backing behind said gradient band for absorptive suppression of luminous reflection from within said motor vehicle when said optical element is disposed in said windshield.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
23 words
The optical element of claim 34 wherein the two or more light-reflecting metal layers of the interference filter are of substantially uniform thickness.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
23 words
The optical element of claim 35 wherein the gradient band continuation includes extensions of each of the dielectric layers of the interference filter.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
22 words
The optical element of any of claims 34, 35 or 36 wherein the anti-glare backing is a metal layer of graduated thickness.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
20 words
The optical element of any of claims 34, 35 or 36 wherein the anti-glare backing is a dyed plastic sheet.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
No citation records indexed.
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