Controlling transitions in optically switchable devices
First Claim
1. A method of controlling a first optical transition and a second optical transition of an optically switchable device, the method comprising:
- (a) receiving a command to undergo the first optical transition from a starting optical state to a first ending optical state;
(b) applying a first drive parameter to bus bars of the optically switchable device and driving the first optical transition for a first duration; and
(c) before the optically switchable device reaches the first ending optical state;
(i) receiving a second command to undergo the second optical transition to a second ending optical state, and(ii) applying a second drive parameter to the bus bars of the optically switchable device and driving the second optical transition for a second duration, wherein the second drive parameter is different from the first drive parameter, wherein the second drive parameter is determined based, at least in part, on the second ending optical state and an amount of charge delivered to the optically switchable device during the first optical transition toward the first ending optical state, and wherein the second optical transition is controlled without considering an open circuit voltage of the optically switchable device.
6 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Aspects of this disclosure concern controllers and control methods for applying a drive voltage to bus bars of optically switchable devices such as electrochromic devices. Such devices are often provided on windows such as architectural glass. In certain embodiments, the applied drive voltage is controlled in a manner that efficiently drives an optical transition over the entire surface of the electrochromic device. The drive voltage is controlled to account for differences in effective voltage experienced in regions between the bus bars and regions proximate the bus bars. Regions near the bus bars experience the highest effective voltage. In some cases, feedback may be used to monitor an optical transition. In these or other cases, a group of optically switchable devices may transition together over a particular duration to achieve approximately uniform tint states over time during the transition.
212 Citations
44 Claims
-
1. A method of controlling a first optical transition and a second optical transition of an optically switchable device, the method comprising:
-
(a) receiving a command to undergo the first optical transition from a starting optical state to a first ending optical state; (b) applying a first drive parameter to bus bars of the optically switchable device and driving the first optical transition for a first duration; and (c) before the optically switchable device reaches the first ending optical state; (i) receiving a second command to undergo the second optical transition to a second ending optical state, and (ii) applying a second drive parameter to the bus bars of the optically switchable device and driving the second optical transition for a second duration, wherein the second drive parameter is different from the first drive parameter, wherein the second drive parameter is determined based, at least in part, on the second ending optical state and an amount of charge delivered to the optically switchable device during the first optical transition toward the first ending optical state, and wherein the second optical transition is controlled without considering an open circuit voltage of the optically switchable device. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
-
-
7. A method for controlling an optical transition in an optically switchable device from a starting optical state to an ending optical state, the method comprising:
-
(a) applying a drive voltage to bus bars of the optically switchable device for a duration to cause the optically switchable device to transition toward the ending optical state; (b) measuring an open circuit voltage between the bus bars of the optically switchable device; (c) comparing the open circuit voltage to a target open circuit voltage for the optical transition; (d) comparing the open circuit voltage to a safe voltage limit for the optically switchable device, and either (i) increasing the drive voltage in response to the open circuit voltage being less than the safe voltage limit for the optically switchable device, or (ii) decreasing the drive voltage in response to the open circuit voltage being greater than the safe voltage limit for the optically switchable device; (e) repeating at least operations (a)-(c) at least once; and (f) determining that the open circuit voltage has reached the target open circuit voltage, ceasing application of the drive voltage to the bus bars of the optically switchable device, and applying a hold voltage to the bus bars of the optically switchable device to thereby maintain the ending optical state. - View Dependent Claims (8)
-
-
9. A method of transitioning a group of optically switchable devices, the method comprising:
-
(a) receiving a command to transition the group of optically switchable devices to an ending optical state, wherein the group of optically switchable devices comprises a slowest optically switchable device and a faster optically switchable device, wherein the slowest optically switchable device and the faster optically switchable device are different sizes and/or have different switching properties; (b) determining a switching time for the group of optically switchable devices, the switching time being a time required for the slowest optically switchable device to reach the ending optical state; (c) transitioning, without any pauses, the slowest optically switchable device to the ending optical state; and (d) during (c), transitioning the faster optically switchable device to the ending optical state with one or more pauses during transition, the one or more pauses chosen in time and duration so as to approximately match an optical state of the faster optically switchable device with an optical state of the slowest optically switchable device during (c). - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27)
-
-
28. A method of transitioning a group of optically switchable devices, the method comprising:
-
(a) receiving a command to transition the group of optically switchable devices to an ending optical state, wherein the group of optically switchable devices comprises a slowest optically switchable device and a faster optically switchable device, wherein the slowest optically switchable device and the faster optically switchable device are different sizes and/or have different switching properties; (b) determining a switching time for the group of optically switchable devices, the switching time being a time required for the slowest optically switchable device to reach the ending optical state; (c) transitioning, without stopping, the slowest optically switchable device to the ending optical state; (d) during (c), transitioning the faster optically switchable device to an intermediate optical state; (e) during (c) and after (d), maintaining the intermediate optical state on the faster optically switchable device for a duration; and (f) during (c) and after (e), transitioning the faster optically switchable device to the ending optical state, wherein the duration in (e) is chosen so as to approximately match an optical state of the faster optically switchable device with an optical state of the slowest optically switchable device during (c). - View Dependent Claims (29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44)
-
Specification