초록 ▼

The present invention provides a windshield with a heating arrangement to heat the wiper rest area of the windshield. The windshield includes first and second glass sheets secured together by an interlayer. A single, continuous resistance heating wire is secured between the glass sheets and makes mu

The present invention provides a windshield with a heating arrangement to heat the wiper rest area of the windshield. The windshield includes first and second glass sheets secured together by an interlayer. A single, continuous resistance heating wire is secured between the glass sheets and makes multiple passes through a predetermined portion of the windshield generally corresponding to the wiper rest area such that the wire generates a desired power density within the predetermined portion to heat the wiper rest area. Opposing first and second ends of the wire extend to common connection area along an edge of the windshield and a connector secured to the wire ends provides for external electrical access to the wire. The wire may also extend along a marginal edge portion of the windshield generally corresponding to its A-post area. In one particular embodiment of the invention, an opaque ceramic band is bonded to a major surface of the second glass sheet, which forms the inner ply of the windshield, along its marginal edge portion such that the wire is not visible when the windshield is viewed through the second glass sheet. In addition, the wire may include a coating having a color that generally corresponds to the color of the opaque ceramic band to mask the appearance of the wire when the windshield is viewed through the first glass sheet.

대표청구항 ▼

[ We claim:] [1.] A laminated vehicle windshield comprising:a first glass sheet;a second glass sheet;an interlayer positioned between said first and second sheets, wherein said interlayer secures said first sheet to said second sheet;a single, continuous resistance heating wire secured between said

[ We claim:] [1.] A laminated vehicle windshield comprising:a first glass sheet;a second glass sheet;an interlayer positioned between said first and second sheets, wherein said interlayer secures said first sheet to said second sheet;a single, continuous resistance heating wire secured between said sheets and making multiple passes through a lower portion of said windshield generally corresponding to an expected wiper rest area such that said wire generates a desired power density within said lower portion; anda common connection area positioned along an edge of said windshield wherein opposing first and second ends of said wire are closely spaced to each other and extend to said common connection area.