Multi-pane dynamic window and method for making same

• US 8,514,476 B2
• Filed: 06/25/2008
• Issued: 08/20/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 06/25/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: View Incorporated
• Original Assignee: View Incorporated
• Inventors: Egerton, Peter, Gaskell, Drew
• Primary Examiner(s): SAHLE, MAHIDERE S
• Application Number:
  US12/145,892
• Publication Number:
  US 20090323160A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,882 Days
• Field of Search: 359237-239, 359/245, 359/265, 359/275
• US Class Current: 359/275
• CPC Class Codes: E06B 2009/2405 Areas of differing opacity for light transmission control
• CPC Class Codes: E06B 2009/2417 Light path control; means to control reflection
• CPC Class Codes: E06B 2009/2464 featuring transparency control by applying voltage, e.g. LCD, electrochromic panels
• CPC Class Codes: E06B 3/66 Units comprising two or more parallel glass or like panes permanently secured together reforming and uniting glass sheets by fusing C03B23/00; joining glass to glass or to other materials C03C27/00; laminated glass B32B17/10
• CPC Class Codes: E06B 3/6722 with adjustable passage of light
• 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: G02B 5/23 Photochromic filters
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 1/0126 Opto-optical modulation, i.e. control of one light beam by another light beam, not otherwise provided for in this subclass
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 1/0147 based on thermo-optic effects G02F1/132 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 1/133308 Support structures for LCD panels, e.g. frames or bezels
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 1/13336 Combining plural substrates to produce large-area displays, e.g. tiled displays
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 1/1508 using a solid electrolyte
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 1/153 Constructional details
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 1/1533 structural features not otherwise provided for
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 1/155 Electrodes
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 1/157 Structural association of cells with optical devices, e.g. reflectors or illuminating devices
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 1/163 Operation of electrochromic cells, e.g. electrodeposition cells; Circuit arrangements therefor
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 2201/123 pixel
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 2202/14 photochromic
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 2203/01 transmissive

Abstract

A window assembly comprises a plurality of dynamic electrochromic zones formed on a single transparent substrate in which at least two electrochromic zones are independently controllable. In one exemplary embodiment, the window assembly comprises an Insulated Glass Unit (IGU), and at least one transparent substrate comprises a lite. In another exemplary embodiment, the IGU comprises at least two lites in which at least one lite comprises a plurality of independently controllable dynamic zones.

Claims

1. A method, comprising:

providing a substrate through which light can pass;

forming a single electrochromic coating and associated bus bars on the substrate; and

forming a plurality of electrochromic zones on the substrate using a laser scribing process to remove portions of the single electrochromic coating and the associated bus bars to electrically isolate the plurality of electrochromic zones.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein forming the single electrochromic coating comprises:

forming a first transparent conductive layer on the substrate through which light can pass;

forming a counter electrode layer in contact with the first transparent conductive layer;

forming an ion conductor layer in contact with the counter electrode layer;

forming an electrochromic layer in contact with the ion conductor layer; and

forming a second transparent conductive layer in contact with the electrochromic layer.

3. The method according to claim 1, wherein at least two of the plurality of electrochromic zones are independently controllable.

4. The method according to claim 1, wherein the removed portions of the single electrochromic coating form an area between two adjacent electrochromic zones isolating the two adjacent electrochromic zones.

5. The method according to claim 1, wherein at least one zone of the plurality of electrochromic zones includes at least one of a photochromic material and a thermochromic material formed on the single substrate.

6. The method according to claim 1, wherein at least one zone of the plurality of electrochromic zones includes a photochromic material selected from the group consisting of triarylmethanes, stilbenes, azastilbenes, nitrones, fulgides, spriropyrans, naphthopyrans, sprio-oxazines, and quinones.

7. The method according to claim 1, wherein at least one zone of the plurality of electrochromic zones includes a thermochromic material selected from the group consisting of liquid crystals and leuco dyes.

8. The method according to claim 1, wherein the single substrate through which light can pass comprises one of glass, acrylic and polycarbonate.