Chromogenic window assembly construction and other chromogenic devices

• US 6,039,390 A
• Filed: 08/20/1997
• Issued: 03/21/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 08/20/1996
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Donnelly Corporation (Magna International Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Donnelly Corporation (Magna International Incorporated)
• Inventors: Agrawal, Anoop, Tonazzi, Juan Carlos Lopez, Fischer, Douglas Alan, Baertelin, Carl, LeCompte, Robert Steven
• Primary Examiner(s): Pedder, Dennis H.
• Application Number:
  US08/914,876
• Time in Patent Office: 944 Days
• Field of Search: 296/211, 296/215, 52/786.1, 52/786.11, 52/786.12, 52/171.3, 349/16
• US Class Current: 296/211
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 17/10036 comprising two outer glass sheets
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 17/10467 Variable transmission
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 17/10513 Electrochromic layer
• CPC Class Codes: B60J 3/04 adjustable in transparency
• CPC Class Codes: E06B 2009/2464 featuring transparency control by applying voltage, e.g. LCD, electrochromic panels
• CPC Class Codes: E06B 9/24 Screens or other constructions affording protection against light, especially against sunshine; Similar screens for privacy or appearance; Slat blindsoperating, guiding or securing devices or arrangements for roll-type closures E06B9/56; free-hanging flexible screens A47H23/00
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 1/011 in optical waveguides, not otherwise provided for in this subclass
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 1/13318 Circuits comprising a photodetector
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 1/133308 Support structures for LCD panels, e.g. frames or bezels
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 1/133382 Heating or cooling of liquid crystal cells other than for activation, e.g. circuits or arrangements for temperature control, stabilisation or uniform distribution over the cell
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 1/153 Constructional details
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 1/163 Operation of electrochromic cells, e.g. electrodeposition cells; Circuit arrangements therefor
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/90 Energy harvesting concepts as power supply for auxiliaries' energy consumption, e.g. photovoltaic sun-roof

Abstract

A chromogenic window panel assembly, and a chromogenic skylight each includes an outer panel and a chromogenic member having an optical property which varies according to an applied signal. A chromogenic light pipe includes a light harvesting member and a chromogenic member having an optical property which varies according to an applied signal. A chromogenic vehicle sunroof, a chromogenic aircraft window assembly, and a chromogenic window assembly each includes a panel having a particular panel contour corresponding to a surface contour and a chromogenic panel having an optical property which varies according to an applied signal. A chromogenic block includes two panels and a chromogenic panel having an optical property which varies according to an applied signal.

Claims

1. A chromogenic window panel assembly to be installed in a surface having a surface contour and subject to exposure to a solar radiation source, comprising:

a chromogenic member having an optical property which varies according to an applied signal; and

a light-transmissive outer panel substantially spaced from said chromogenic member, said outer panel being dimensioned and disposed so as to overlap at least a substantial part of the chromogenic member, and having a non-flat surface substantially following the surface contour, wherein said outer panel is disposed between said solar radiation source and said chromogenic member when said window panel assembly is installed in said surface, wherein said chromogenic member comprises a flat, electrochromic member.

2. A chromogenic window panel assembly as in claim 1, wherein said chromogenic member is selected from the group consisting of electrochromic devices, photochromic devices, liquid crystal devices, user-controllable-photochromic devices, polymer-dispersed-liquid-crystal devices, suspended particle devices, thermochromic devices, and thermotropic devices.

3. A chromogenic window panel assembly as in claim 1, further comprising a layer of a material disposed upon at least one of said chromogenic member and said outer panel.

4. A chromogenic window panel assembly as in claim 3, wherein said layer of said material changes an optical property of said chromogenic window panel assembly.

5. A chromogenic window panel assembly as in claim 3, wherein said layer of said material changes a physical property of said chromogenic window panel assembly selected from the group consisting of surface hardness, scratch resistance and shatter prevention.

6. A chromogenic window panel assembly according to claim 1, wherein said assembly comprises one of a vehicle sunroof, aircraft window, building skylight, building light pipe, and architectural block.

7. A chromogenic window panel assembly as in claim 1, wherein said chromogenic member comprises two separate, flat electrochromic panels.

8. A chromogenic window panel assembly as in claim 1, further comprising a thermal break.

9. A chromogenic window panel assembly as in claim 8, wherein said thermal break comprises an air volume.

10. A chromogenic window panel assembly as in claim 1, wherein said surface is a roof of a vehicle.

11. A chromogenic window panel assembly as in claim 1, further comprising:

at least one of

a first sensor positioned proximate to said outer panel so as to measure an amount of radiation which has come from outside and passed through said outer panel, said first sensor outputting a first signal in response thereto, and

a second sensor positioned proximate to said chromogenic member so as to measure an amount of radiation which has first passed through said outer panel and then passed through said chromogenic member, said second sensor outputting a second signal in response thereto.

12. A chromogenic window panel assembly as in claim 1, further comprising a driver for supplying the applied signal to the chromogenic member.

13. A chromogenic window panel assembly as in claim 12, further comprising a controller which generates the applied signal applied by said driver to the chromogenic material so as to regulate the optical property of the chromogenic member.

14. A chromogenic window panel assembly as in claim 13, wherein the controller receives at least one of the first signal output from the first sensor and the second signal from the second sensor and generates the applied signal in accordance therewith.

48. A chromogenic window panel assembly according to claim 1, wherein power responsive to said applied signal is supplied to said assembly from a power source selected from the group consisting of a solar cell and a rechargeable battery, said power effective to change said optical property, said change including the coloring or bleaching of said chromogenic member.

49. A chromogenic window panel assembly according to claim 48, wherein said applied signal is controlled by at least one of a photosensor and a thermal detector.

15. A chromogenic vehicle sunroof to be installed in a vehicle roof and subject to exposure to a solar radiation source, said roof having a surface contour, comprising:

a chromogenic member having an optical property which varies according to an applied signal; and

a light-transmissive outer panel substantially spaced from said chromogenic member, said outer panel being dimensioned and disposed so as to overlap at least a substantial part of the chromogenic member, said outer panel having a predetermined non-flat surface substantially following the surface contour, wherein said outer panel is disposed between said solar radiation source and said chromogenic member when said vehicle sunroof is installed in said vehicle roof, wherein said chromogenic member comprises a flat, electrochromic member.

16. A chromogenic vehicle sunroof according to claim 15, further comprising:

a seal,

wherein said seal is dimensioned and disposed so that a volume is at least partially enclosed between said chromogenic member, said outer panel, and said seal.

17. A chromogenic vehicle sunroof as in claim 15, wherein at least one of a) an inner and an outer surface of said outer panel;

b) an interior facing surface of said chromogenic panel facing the interior of the vehicle; and

c) an outer panel facing surface of said chromogenic panel facing said outer panel is laminated with a polymeric layer.

18. A chromogenic vehicle sunroof as in claim 15, wherein said chromogenic member is selected from the group consisting of electrochromic devices, photochromic devices, liquid crystal devices, user-controllable-photochromic devices, polymer-dispersed-liquid-crystal devices, suspended particle devices, thermochromic devices, and thermotropic devices.

19. A chromogenic vehicle sunroof as in claim 15, further comprising a layer of a material disposed upon at least one of said chromogenic member and said outer panel.

20. A chromogenic vehicle sunroof as in claim 19, wherein said layer of said material changes an optical property of said chromogenic vehicle sunroof.

21. A chromogenic vehicle sunroof as in claim 19, wherein said layer of said material changes a physical property of said chromogenic vehicle sunroof selected from the group consisting of surface hardness, scratch resistance and shatter prevention.

22. A chromogenic vehicle sunroof as in claim 15, further comprising a driver for supplying the applied signal to the chromogenic member.

23. A chromogenic vehicle sunroof as in claim 22, further comprising a controller which generates the applied signal applied by said driver to the chromogenic material so as to regulate the optical property of the chromogenic member.

24. A chromogenic vehicle sunroof as in claim 23, further comprising a light sensor effective to measure a light intensity level and generate a responsive signal;

wherein said controller generates said applied signal correspondingly to said responsive signal.

25. A chromogenic vehicle sunroof as in claim 24, further comprising an auxiliary device, wherein said controller generates a second auxiliary applied signal effective to cause said auxiliary device to respond correspondingly to said second auxiliary applied signal.

26. A chromogenic vehicle sunroof as in claim 25, wherein said auxiliary device is an automatic dimming mirror.

27. A chromogenic vehicle sunroof as in claim 23, further comprising:

a light sensor effective to measure a light intensity level and generate a responsive signal; and

a switch having a manual position and an automatic position, wherein said automatic position is effective to cause said controller to generate said applied signal correspondingly to said responsive signal.

28. A chromogenic vehicle sunroof as in claim 27, further comprising an auxiliary device, wherein said automatic position is further effective to cause said auxiliary device to respond correspondingly to said responsive signal.

29. A chromogenic vehicle sunroof as in claim 24, wherein said light intensity level is an ambient intensity;

wherein said optical property is a transmittance; and

wherein a higher intensity level of said ambient intensity causes a correspondingly lower level of said transmittance.

30. A chromogenic vehicle sunroof as in claim 15, wherein said chromogenic member comprises two separate, flat electrochromic panels.

31. A chromogenic vehicle sunroof as in claim 15, further comprising a thermal break.

32. A chromogenic vehicle sunroof as in claim 31, wherein said thermal break comprises an air volume.

47. A chromogenic vehicle sunroof as in claim 23, wherein said controller further includes a sleeper circuit.

33. A chromogenic window assembly to be installed in a surface having a surface contour and subject to exposure to a solar radiation source, comprising:

a chromogenic panel having an optical property which varies according to an applied signal;

a light-transmissive protective panel substantially spaced from said chromogenic panel, said protective panel having a protective non-flat surface substantially following the surface contour; and

a connecting member to which both said chromogenic panel and said protective panel are joined, wherein said protective panel is disposed between said solar radiation source and said chromogenic member when said window panel assembly is installed in said surface, wherein said chromogenic panel is approximately planar, and said protective panel has a curve formed therein.

34. A chromogenic window assembly as in claim 33, further comprising a driver which supplies the applied signal to said chromogenic panel so as to regulate the optical property of the chromogenic panel.

35. A chromogenic window assembly as in claim 34, further comprising a controller which generates the applied signal supplied by said driver to the chromogenic material so as to regulate the optical property of the chromogenic member.

36. A chromogenic window assembly as in claim 35, further comprising:

at least one sensor for measuring an ambient condition, said sensor outputting a sensor signal in response thereto; and

a conductor for carrying the sensor signal from said sensor to said controller,

wherein said controller regulates the applied signal in accordance with the sensor signal.

37. A chromogenic window assembly as in claim 33, wherein said chromogenic panel and said protective panel are each approximately planar and said connector holds said panels parallel to one another with a gap therebetween.

38. A chromogenic window assembly as in claim 33, wherein said chromogenic member is selected from the group consisting of electrochromic devices, photochromic devices, liquid crystal devices, user-controllable-photochromic devices, polymer-dispersed-liquid-crystal devices, suspended particle devices, thermochromic devices, and thermotropic devices.

39. A chromogenic window assembly as in claim 34, further comprising a layer of a material disposed upon at least one of said chromogenic member and said outer panel.

40. A chromogenic window assembly as in claim 39, wherein said layer of said material changes an optical property of said chromogenic window assembly.

41. A chromogenic window assembly as in claim 39, wherein said layer of said material changes a physical property of said chromogenic window assembly selected from the group consisting of surface hardness, scratch resistance and shatter prevention.

42. A chromogenic window assembly as in claim 33, wherein said chromogenic member comprises a flat, electrochromic member.

43. A chromogenic window assembly as in claim 33, wherein said chromogenic member comprises two separate, flat electrochromic panels.

44. A chromogenic window assembly as in claim 33, further comprising a thermal break.

45. A chromogenic window assembly as in claim 44, wherein said thermal break comprises an air volume.

46. A chromogenic window assembly as in claim 33, wherein said surface is a roof of a vehicle.

50. A chromogenic vehicle sunroof to be installed in a vehicle surface having a surface contour and subject to a solar radiation source, comprising:

at least one of a chromogenic member having an optical property which varies according to at least one of an applied signal and a position;

a light-transmissive outer panel substantially spaced from said chromogenic member, said outer panel being dimensioned and disposed so as to overlap at least a substantial part of the chromogenic member, and having a predetermined non-flat surface substantially following the surface contour; and

a trim member having at least one opening, said opening corresponding in both a position and a shape to the position and the shape of the chromogenic member,

wherein said trim member overlaps and conceals at least a portion of said chromogenic member, wherein said outer panel is disposed between said solar radiation source and said chromogenic member when said vehicle sunroof is installed in said vehicle surface, wherein said chromogenic member comprises a flat, electrochromic member.

51. A chromogenic vehicle sunroof according to claim 50, further comprising at least one of a signal lead for applying the applied signal to said chromogenic member.

52. A chromogenic vehicle sunroof according to claim 51, further comprising signal applying means for causing said signal lead to be electrically connected to a circuit which supplies the applied signal when said sunroof is closed, and not when said sunroof is open.

53. A chromogenic vehicle sunroof as in claim 50, wherein said chromogenic member comprises two separate, flat electrochromic panels.

54. A chromogenic vehicle sunroof as in claim 50, further comprising a thermal break.

55. A chromogenic vehicle sunroof as in claim 54, wherein said thermal break comprises an air volume.

56. A chromogenic vehicle sunroof as in claim 50, wherein said vehicle surface is a roof of a vehicle.

57. A chromogenic vehicle sunroof to be installed in a vehicle roof surface having a surface contour and subject to exposure to a solar radiation source, comprising:

a chromogenic member comprising a first chromogenic panel and a second chromogenic panel, each said chromogenic panel having an optical property which varies according to a first and a second applied signal, respectively, and a position and a shape;

a light-transmissive outer panel substantially spaced from said chromogenic panels, said outer panel being dimensioned and disposed so as to overlap at least a substantial part of said chromogenic panels, and having a predetermined non-flat surface substantially following the surface contour;

a first control means for controlling said first chromogenic panel by varying said applied signal; and

a second control means for controlling said second chromogenic panel by varying said applied signal,

wherein each said control means is preferentially accessible to a different occupant of said vehicle, and wherein each said chromogenic panel comprises a flat, electrochromic member.

58. A chromogenic vehicle sunroof as in claim 57, further comprising:

a first light sensor effective to measure a first light intensity level and generate a first responsive signal;

a second light sensor effective to measure a second light intensity level and generate a second responsive signal; and

wherein said first and second control means varies said first and said second applied signals correspondingly to said first and said second responsive signals respectively.

59. A chromogenic vehicle sunroof as in claim 57, further comprising:

a first light sensor effective to measure a first light intensity level and generate a first responsive signal;

a second light sensor effective to measure a second light intensity level and generate a second responsive signal; and

a switch having a manual position and an automatic position, wherein said automatic position is effective to cause said first and second control means to vary said first and said second applied signals correspondingly to said first and said second responsive signals respectively.

60. A chromogenic vehicle sunroof as in claim 57 wherein said outer panel includes a tempered glass member.

61. A chromogenic vehicle sunroof as in claim 60 wherein said tempered glass member is tinted optically.

62. A chromogenic vehicle sunroof as in claim 57, further comprising a thermal break.

63. A chromogenic vehicle sunroof as in claim 62, wherein said thermal break comprises an air volume.