Self-contained EC IGU

• US 11,067,869 B2
• Filed: 04/16/2019
• Issued: 07/20/2021
• Est. Priority Date: 12/22/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: View Incorporated
• Original Assignee: View Incorporated
• Inventors: Brown, Stephen C., Shrivastava, Dhairya, Klawuhn, Erich R., Frank, Trevor, Silkwood, Douglas
• Primary Examiner(s): Pinkney, Dawayne
• Application Number:
  US16/386,096
• Publication Number:
  US 20190243207A1
• Time in Patent Office: 826 Days
• Field of Search: 359265-275, 359277, 359245-247, 359242, 345 49, 345105, 250 70, 348814, 348817, 438929, 349182-186
• CPC Class Codes: E06B 2009/2464 featuring transparency control by applying voltage, e.g. LCD, electrochromic panels
• 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: 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: H04L 12/2803 Home automation networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/4625 Single bridge functionality, e.g. connection of two networks over a single bridge
• CPC Class Codes: Y02A 30/24 Structural elements or technologies for improving thermal insulation
• CPC Class Codes: Y02B 80/00 Architectural or constructional elements improving the thermal performance of buildings

Abstract

Onboard EC window controllers are described. The controllers are configured in close proximity to the EC window, for example, within the IGU. The controller may be part of a window assembly, which includes an IGU having one or more EC panes, and thus does not have to be matched with the EC window, and installed, in the field. The window controllers described herein have a number of advantages because they are matched to the IGU containing one or more EC devices and their proximity to the EC panes of the window overcomes a number of problems associated with conventional controller configurations. Also described are self-meshing networks for electrochromic windows.

Claims

1. A window assembly comprising:

a lite comprising an electrochromic device thereon;

a controller disposed on or in the window assembly, the controller configured to control one or more optical transitions of the electrochromic device,

wherein a plurality of window assemblies including the window assembly are installed on a self meshing network,

wherein each window assembly of the plurality of window assemblies is configured to automatically sense its physical position relative to other window assemblies of the plurality of window assemblies,

wherein the controller of each window assembly senses relative physical distances between the controller and other controllers associated with other window assemblies of the plurality of window assemblies, and

wherein the relative physical distances between the controller and the other controllers associated with other window assemblies of the plurality of window assemblies are combined to automatically generate a map illustrating the relative physical positions of the plurality of window assemblies; and

a flexible conductor, configured to electrically connect the controller and the electrochromic device.

2. The window assembly of claim 1, wherein the lite is a first lite, wherein the controller is positioned between the first lite and a second lite disposed opposite to the first lite to form an insulated glass unit.

3. The window assembly of claim 2, wherein a spacer positioned between the first lite and the second lite is proximate to a periphery of the first and the second lite, and wherein a sealed interior region is defined between the first lite and the second lite, the sealed interior region having a periphery by the spacer.

4. The window assembly of claim 3, wherein the controller is positioned in the sealed interior region.

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

(i) a primary seal positioned between the spacer and the first lite, and between the spacer and the second lite; and

(ii) a secondary seal positioned around a periphery of the spacer, wherein the flexible conductor extends through the secondary seal and (1) through the spacer, (2) between the spacer and the first lite, or (3) between the spacer and the second lite.

6. The window assembly of claim 3, wherein the controller is positioned outside of the sealed interior region.

7. The window assembly of claim 1, wherein the lite is a first lite, and wherein the window assembly further comprises:

a spacer positioned between the first lite and second lite and proximate a periphery of the first lite and second lite; and

a sealed interior region defined between the first lite and second lite, the sealed interior region having a periphery bounded by the spacer, wherein the controller is positioned on the first lite or second lite, outside of the sealed interior region.

8. The window assembly of claim 1, wherein the flexible conductor electrically connects the controller to a bus bar.

9. The window assembly of claim 1, wherein the flexible conductor electrically connects the controller to a bus bar lead.

10. The window assembly of claim 1, wherein the flexible conductor electrically connects the controller to an antenna.

11. The window assembly of claim 1, wherein the flexible conductor electrically connects the controller to a ground plane.

12. The window assembly of claim 1, wherein the flexible conductor electrically connects the controller to a connection point where a plurality of electrical traces are disposed.

13. The window assembly of claim 12, wherein the plurality of electrical traces are electrically connected with one or more bus bars.

14. The window assembly of claim 1, wherein the flexible conductor electrically connects the controller to a pad comprising a plurality of electrical contacts.

15. The window assembly of claim 1, wherein the flexible conductor electrically connects the controller to a sensor.

16. The window assembly of claim 1, wherein the flexible conductor is electrically connected with the controller through a carrier configured to mate with the controller.

17. The window assembly of claim 1, wherein the flexible conductor electrically connects the controller to a user interface.

18. The window assembly of claim 17, wherein the user interface comprises a touch screen.

19. The window assembly of claim 1, wherein the lite is a first lite, wherein the window assembly comprises a second lite, and wherein the first lite and the second lite are laminated together to form a laminate window.

20. The window assembly of claim 15, wherein the sensor is an optical sensor.

21. The window assembly of claim 15, wherein the sensor is a photosensor.

22. The window assembly of claim 1, wherein the self meshing network facilitates automatic communication between the controller and the lite to autonomously assign the self meshing network.

23. The window assembly of claim 22, wherein the automatic communication comprises an analog signal and/or digital signal.

24. The window assembly of claim 1, wherein the controller senses the relative physical distances based on relative signal strengths between the controller and the other controllers associated with the other window assemblies of the plurality of window assemblies.

25. The window assembly of claim 1, further comprising a GPS sensor for generating GPS data.

26. The window assembly of claim 25, wherein the relative physical distances and the GPS data are combined to automatically generate the map, the map further illustrating the absolute physical positions of the plurality of window assemblies.

27. The window assembly of claim 1, wherein the controller is configured to receive GPS data, and wherein the relative physical distances and the GPS data are combined to automatically generate the map, the map further illustrating the absolute physical positions of the plurality of window assemblies.

28. The window assembly of claim 1, further comprising a compass for generating compass data.

29. The window assembly of claim 28, wherein the window assemblies of the plurality of window assemblies sense their physical position relative to other window assemblies of the plurality of window assemblies based on the compass data.

30. The window assembly of claim 1, further comprising an exterior light sensor for producing exterior light data, wherein the exterior light data from the window assembly is combined with exterior light data from other window assemblies of the plurality of window assemblies to create the map illustrating the relative physical positions of the plurality of window assemblies.

31. The window assembly of claim 30, wherein the map also shows a position of shade-causing objects positioned proximate a building in which the plurality of window assemblies are installed.

32. The window assembly of claim 1, wherein the map illustrates architectural details of a building in which the window assemblies are installed, the architectural details comprising locations of exterior walls of the building in addition to the relative physical positions of the plurality of window assemblies.