Multi-pane dynamic window and method for making same

• US 9,110,345 B2
• Filed: 04/30/2014
• Issued: 08/18/2015
• 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:
  US14/266,576
• Publication Number:
  US 20140320947A1
• Time in Patent Office: 475 Days
• Field of Search: 359237-239, 359/245, 359/265, 359/275
• US Class Current: 1/1
• 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. An insulated glass unit (IGU) comprising:

a. a pair of parallel lites;

b. a spacer between the parallel lites; and

c. a seal between each of the parallel lites and the spacer;

wherein at least one lite of the pair of parallel lites comprises a set of independently controllable dynamic zones, wherein each zone is an isolated area of the at least one lite and is an electrochromic zone.

2. The IGU of claim 1, wherein the independently controllable dynamic zones are formed by laser ablation of a monolithic electrochromic device coating.

3. The IGU of claim 1, wherein each zone of the set of independently controllable dynamic zones has an associated pair of bus bars.

4. The IGU of claim 1, wherein each zone of the set of independently controllable dynamic zones has a distinct pair of associated bus bars.

5. The IGU of claim 1, further comprising an inert gas in a sealed volume formed between the pair of parallel lites and the spacer.

6. The IGU of claim 2, wherein the monolithic electrochromic device coating is solid-state.

7. The IGU of claim 6, wherein the monolithic electrochromic device coating is applied to said at least one lite by sputtering.

8. The IGU of claim 1, wherein the at least one lite of the pair of parallel lites comprises a low-E coating or a reflective coating.

9. The IGU of claim 8, wherein the other lite of the pair of parallel lites comprises a low-E coating or a reflective coating.

10. The IGU of claim 1, wherein the other lite of the pair of parallel lites comprises light scattering features.

11. The IGU of claim 1, wherein the independently controllable dynamic zones are separated by an electrically isolating area.

12. The IGU of claim 1, wherein the independently controllable dynamic zones formed by removing material from a monolithic electrochromic device coating between adjacent zones.

13. The IGU of claim 12, wherein each zone of the set of independently controllable dynamic zones has a distinct pair of associated bus bars formed on a substrate prior to forming the monolithic electrochromic device coating on the substrate.

14. The IGU of claim 1, wherein the at least one lite comprising the set of independently controllable dynamic zones is located at an outside pane.

15. The IGU of claim 1, wherein the set of independently controllable dynamic zones is formed from a single electrochromic-based coating on a single substrate.

16. An insulated glass unit (IGU) comprising:

a pair of opposing lites;

a spacer between the opposing lites; and

a seal between each of the opposing lites and the spacer;

wherein at least one lite of the pair of opposing lites comprises a set of independently controllable dynamic zones formed from a single electrochromic-based coating on a single substrate, wherein each zone is an isolated area of the at least one lite.

17. The IGU of claim 16, further comprising an inert gas in a sealed volume formed between the pair of opposing lites and the spacer.