Connectors for smart windows
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A window unit comprising:
- an insulated glass unit including an optically switchable pane;
a wire assembly attached to an edge of the insulated glass unit and comprising wires in electrical communication with distinct electrodes of the optically switchable pane; and
a floating connector attached to the distal end of the wire assembly, the floating connector electrically coupled to the optically switchable pane, wherein the floating connector comprises;
(i) a flange and a nose extending from the flange by a distance approximately equal to a thickness of a first frame in which insulated glass unit is to be mounted, wherein the nose comprises a terminal face presenting two exposed contacts of opposite polarities, and(ii) two holes in the flange for affixing the floating connector to said first frame, wherein the two holes are arranged with respect to the nose such that the nose is closer to one of the holes than the other, thereby requiring that the two exposed contacts be arranged in a defined orientation when the floating connector is affixed to the first frame, or an asymmetric element in the shape of the nose and/or the flange that permits installation in only one way.
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Abstract
This disclosure provides connectors for smart windows. A smart window may incorporate an optically switchable pane. In one aspect, a window unit includes an insulated glass unit including an optically switchable pane. A wire assembly may be attached to the edge of the insulated glass unit and may include wires in electrical communication with electrodes of the optically switchable pane. A floating connector may be attached to a distal end of the wire assembly. The floating connector may include a flange and a nose, with two holes in the flange for affixing the floating connector to a first frame. The nose may include a terminal face that present two exposed contacts of opposite polarity.
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Citations
37 Claims
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1. A window unit comprising:
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an insulated glass unit including an optically switchable pane; a wire assembly attached to an edge of the insulated glass unit and comprising wires in electrical communication with distinct electrodes of the optically switchable pane; and a floating connector attached to the distal end of the wire assembly, the floating connector electrically coupled to the optically switchable pane, wherein the floating connector comprises; (i) a flange and a nose extending from the flange by a distance approximately equal to a thickness of a first frame in which insulated glass unit is to be mounted, wherein the nose comprises a terminal face presenting two exposed contacts of opposite polarities, and (ii) two holes in the flange for affixing the floating connector to said first frame, wherein the two holes are arranged with respect to the nose such that the nose is closer to one of the holes than the other, thereby requiring that the two exposed contacts be arranged in a defined orientation when the floating connector is affixed to the first frame, or an asymmetric element in the shape of the nose and/or the flange that permits installation in only one way. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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19. A window assembly comprising:
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an insulated glass unit including an optically switchable pane; a first connector mounted to the insulated glass unit in a sealant of the insulated glass unit, the first connector comprising exposed contacts electrically coupled to leads extending from the optically switchable pane and through the insulated glass unit, the first connector further comprising a first ferromagnetic element, which itself may be magnetized; and a wire assembly configured to be detachably mounted to the insulated glass unit through the first connector, wherein the wire assembly comprises at least two wires extending from and electrically coupled to a second connector comprising a surface having contacts and being shaped for mechanical engagement to the first connector, the second connector further comprising a second ferromagnetic element, which itself may be magnetized, wherein at least one of the first and second ferromagnetic elements is magnetized such that the first and second connectors may magnetically engage one another to provide electrical communication between their respective contacts. - View Dependent Claims (20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29)
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30. A window system comprising:
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a first insulated glass unit including a first optically switchable pane and a first connector in electrical communication with electrodes of the first optically switchable pane; and a first coupling unit comprising two connectors linked by a flexible ribbon cable, wherein a first of the two connectors is configured to mate with the first connector. - View Dependent Claims (31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37)
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Specification