Connectors for smart windows

• US 8,643,933 B2
• Filed: 12/14/2011
• Issued: 02/04/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 12/14/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: View Incorporated
• Original Assignee: View Incorporated
• Inventors: Brown, Stephen C
• Primary Examiner(s): Martinez, Joseph P
• Application Number:
  US13/326,168
• Publication Number:
  US 20130157493A1
• Time in Patent Office: 783 Days
• Field of Search: 359/275, 349/16
• US Class Current: 359/275
• 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 3/6612 Evacuated glazing units
• CPC Class Codes: E06B 3/6621 with special provisions for fitting in window frames or to adjacent units; Separate edge protecting strips E06B3/66347 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: E06B 3/66304 Discrete spacing elements, e.g. for evacuated glazing units
• CPC Class Codes: E06B 3/66309 Section members positioned at the edges of the glazing unit
• CPC Class Codes: E06B 3/66328 of rubber, plastics or similar materials E06B3/66314, E06B3/66323 and E06B3/66342 take precedence; transparent materials E06B3/66333
• CPC Class Codes: E06B 3/667 Connectors therefor
• CPC Class Codes: E06B 3/6722 with adjustable passage of light
• CPC Class Codes: E06B 3/673 Assembling the units E06B3/677 takes precedence ; making hollow glass sheets or bricks C03B23/24
• CPC Class Codes: E06B 3/67326 Assembling spacer elements with the panes
• CPC Class Codes: E06B 3/67391 Apparatus travelling around the periphery of the pane or the unit
• CPC Class Codes: E06B 7/00 Special arrangements or measures in connection with doors or windows arrangements against burglary at the edges of the wings E06B5/113 ; screening or similar protective devices E06B9/00
• CPC Class Codes: E06B 7/28 Other arrangements on doors or windows, e.g. door-plates, windows adapted to carry plants, hooks for window cleaners edge protecting devices for door leaves E06B3/88; special glazing; emergency glazing; double glazing E06B3/66
• CPC Class Codes: E06B 9/00 Screening or protective devices for wall or similar openings, with or without operating or securing mechanisms; Closures of similar construction E06B5/10 takes precedence; wings for doors or windows, connected at their edges, E06B3/48; additional indoor equipment of doors or windows, not forming part of the proper finishing work of a building, e.g. curtains, A47H; gratings as building elements E04C2/24; fastening means E05; operating-mechanisms for wings in general E05F
• 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 1/1345 Conductors connecting electrodes to cell terminals
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 1/1523 comprising inorganic material
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 1/153 Constructional details
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 1/161 : Gaskets; Spacers; Sealing of cells; Filling or closing of cells
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 1/163 : Operation of electrochromic cells, e.g. electrodeposition cells; Circuit arrangements therefor
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 12/79 : connecting to rigid printed circuits or like structures
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/6205 : Two-part coupling devices held in engagement by a magnet
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/6315 : allowing relative movement between coupling parts, e.g. floating connection for coupling devices specially adapted for printed circuits, flat or ribbon cables, or like generally planar structures, H01R12/91 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/73 : Means for mounting coupling parts to apparatus or structures, e.g. to a wall
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 2103/00 : Two poles
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 24/76 : with sockets, clips or analogous contacts and secured to apparatus or structure, e.g. to a wall
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 25/14 : Rails or bus-bars constructed so that the counterparts can be connected thereto at any point along their length supporting elements for lighting devices, displaceable along guiding elements and making electrical contact with conductors running along the guiding elements F21V21/35
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 25/162 : Electrical connections between or with rails or bus-bars rails having primarily a non electrical function H01R4/64
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 4/12 : by twisting
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 41/00 : Non-rotary current collectors for maintaining contact between moving and stationary parts of an electric circuit end pieces terminating in a hook or the like H01R11/12; current collectors for power supply lines of electrically-propelled vehicles B60L5/00
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49117 : Conductor or circuit manufacturing

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.

Claims

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.

2. The window unit of claim 1, wherein the optically switchable pane includes an electrochromic device that is solid state and inorganic.

3. The window unit of claim 1, further comprising:

the first frame in which the insulated glass unit is mounted.

4. The window unit of claim 3, further comprising:

a second frame, wherein the first frame is fixedly mounted in the second frame, wherein a fixed connector is affixed to the second frame, and wherein the floating connector and the fixed connector are configured to contact one another when the first frame is mounted in the second frame, the fixed connector comprising mating contacts to supply electrical charge to the two exposed contacts of the floating connector.

5. The window unit of claim 3, further comprising:

a second frame, wherein the first frame is moveably mounted in the second frame, wherein a fixed connector is affixed to the second frame, and wherein the floating connector and the fixed connector are configured to contact one another when the first frame is at a first position in the second frame, the fixed connector comprising mating contacts to supply electrical charge to said two exposed contacts of the floating connector.

6. The window unit of claim 5, wherein the fixed connector is coupled to a window controller, the window controller being configured to transition the optically switchable pane between a first optical state and a second optical state.

7. The window unit of claim 5, wherein two holes are included in a body of the fixed connector for affixing the fixed connector to the second frame, the two holes configured to allow the fixed connector to translate orthogonally to the motion of the first frame in order to align with the floating connector when the first frame is at the first position in the second frame.

8. The window unit of claim 1, wherein the terminal face of the nose of the floating connector includes a circumferential rim and an interior recessed region where the two exposed contacts are presented, and wherein the circumferential rim has a slope directed inwardly toward the interior recessed region to facilitate mating with a fixed connector having a male mating surface.

9. The window unit of claim 8, wherein the male mating surface of the fixed connector presents mating contacts to supply electrical charge to the two exposed contacts of the floating connector, wherein a mechanical device causes the mating contacts to extend from the male mating surface, and wherein the mechanical device allows the mating contacts to recede into the fixed connector when a force is applied to the mating contacts.

10. The window unit of claim 8, wherein the male mating surface of the fixed connector presents mating contacts to supply electrical charge to the two exposed contacts of the floating connector, wherein a magnetic force causes the mating contacts to extend from the male mating surface and engage with the two exposed contacts in the nose when the male mating surface is proximate the terminal face of the nose, and wherein a mechanical device imparts a force to the mating contacts that allows the mating contacts to recede into the fixed connector when the male mating surface of the fixed connector and the terminal face of the nose of the floating connector are spaced sufficiently apart such that the magnetic force is overcome by the force.

11. The window unit of claim 10, wherein the magnetic force is provided by the two contacts in the nose comprising neodymium magnets or by the male mating contacts comprising neodymium magnets.

12. The window unit of claim 1, wherein the floating connector includes at least one of a memory device, an integrated circuit device, and a memory device and an integrated circuit device.

13. The window unit of claim 12, wherein the memory device and/or integrated circuit device stores information for identifying and/or controlling the optically switchable pane.

14. The window unit of claim 13, wherein the information comprises current and voltage operating instructions for transitioning the optically switchable pane between a first optical state and a second optical state.

15. The window unit of claim 13, wherein the information includes a maximum electric signal and a minimum electric signal that may be applied to the optically switchable pane by a window controller.

16. The window unit of claim 1, wherein the nose further comprises one or more protrusions emanating from a surface of the nose other than the terminal face, said protrusions configured to engage with and hold the nose of the floating connector in the first frame when the nose is passed through an aperture in the first frame to expose the terminal face of the nose.

17. The window unit of claim 16, wherein said one or more protrusions are incompressible such that they engage with and deform the inside of the aperture when the nose is passed there through.

18. The window unit of claim 16, wherein said one or more protrusions are compressible such that they compressively engage with the inside of the aperture when the nose is passed there through.

19. A window assembly comprising:

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.

20. The window assembly of claim 19, wherein the wire assembly further comprises a distal end including terminals configured to be coupled to a window controller.

21. The window assembly of claim 20, wherein the distal end of the wire assembly further includes at least one of a memory device, an integrated circuit device, and a memory device and an integrated circuit device.

22. The window assembly of claim 21, wherein the memory device and/or integrated circuit device stores information for identifying and/or controlling the optically switchable pane.

23. The window assembly of claim 22, wherein the information comprises current and voltage operating instructions for transitioning the optically switchable pane between a first optical state and a second optical state.

24. The window assembly of claim 22, wherein the information includes a maximum electric signal and a minimum electric signal that may be applied to the optically switchable pane by a window controller.

25. The window assembly of claim 19, wherein the first connector is housed substantially within the sealant of the insulated glass unit.

26. The window assembly of claim 19, wherein the first connector further includes at least one of a memory device, an integrated circuit device, and a memory device and an integrated circuit device.

27. The window assembly of claim 26, wherein the memory device and/or integrated circuit device stores information for identifying and/or controlling the optically switchable pane.

28. The window assembly of claim 27, wherein the information comprises current and voltage operating instructions for transitioning the optically switchable pane between a first optical state and a second optical state.

29. The window assembly of claim 27, wherein the information includes a maximum electric signal and a minimum electric signal that may be applied to the optically switchable pane by a window controller.

30. A window system comprising:

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.

31. The window system of claim 30, wherein a second of the two connectors of the first coupling unit is configured to couple to an external connector for providing power to the first optically switchable pane and mounted in a second frame, and wherein the first coupling unit allows rotation of the first insulated glass unit and the first connector when the first insulated glass unit is mounted in a first frame and the first frame is moveably mounted in the second frame.

32. The window system of claim 30, wherein a second of the two connectors of the first coupling unit is configured to couple to an external connector for providing power to the first optically switchable pane and mounted in a second frame, and wherein the first coupling unit allows translation of the first insulated glass unit and the first connector when the first insulated glass unit is mounted in a first frame and the first frame is moveably mounted in the second frame.

33. The window system of claim 30, wherein a second of the two connectors of the first coupling unit is configured to couple to an external connector for providing power to the first optically switchable pane and mounted in a second frame, and wherein the first coupling unit allows translation and rotation of the first insulated glass unit and the first connector when the first insulated glass unit is mounted in a first frame and the first frame is moveably mounted in the second frame.

34. The window system of claim 30, wherein the first insulated glass unit further includes a second connector, the window system further comprising:

a second insulated glass unit including a second optically switchable pane and a third connector in electrical communication with electrodes of the second optically switchable pane; and

a second coupling unit comprising two connectors linked by a flexible ribbon cable, wherein at least one of the two connectors is configured to couple with the second connector and the other of the two connectors is configured to couple with the third connector.

35. The window system of claim 34, wherein the second optically switchable pane is directly coupled to a window controller through the third connector, the second coupling unit, the second connector, the first connector, and the first coupling unit.

36. The window system of claim 35, wherein the window controller is configured to independently control the first and the second optically switchable panes.

37. The window system of claim 34, wherein the second optically switchable pane and the first optically switchable pane are coupled to a window controller in series.