ONBOARD CONTROLLER FOR MULTISTATE WINDOWS

• US 20150049378A1
• Filed: 08/26/2014
• Published: 02/19/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 12/22/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: View Incorporated
• Original Assignee: View Incorporated
• Inventors: Shrivastava, Dhairya, Pradhan, Anshu A., Brown, Stephen C., Groechel, David Walter, Rozbicki, Robert T.
• Granted Patent: US 9,442,341 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 359/275
• 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 1/161 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: G05B 15/02 electric
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/2642 Domotique, domestic, home control, automation, smart house
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/2803 Home automation networks
• 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.

Claims

1. An insulated glass unit (IGU) comprising:

at least two panes, at least one of which comprises an electrochromic (EC) device;

a sealing separator affixed to perimeter regions of the at least two panes, and separating them from one another;

a logic device comprising a chip, a card, or a board disposed within or attached to the IGU; and

an interface for (i) the logic device and (ii) a communication network and/or a power source.

2. The IGU of claim 1, wherein the logic device comprises an integrated circuit.

3. The IGU of claim 1, further comprising an RFID tag.

4. The IGU of claim 1, wherein the logic device comprises a processor and/or a memory device.

5. The IGU of claim 4, wherein the memory device is programmed with at least one type of information from the group consisting of:

warranty information, installation information, vendor information, batch information, inventory information, EC device/IGU characteristics, EC device cycling count, and customer information.

6. The IGU of claim 5, wherein the EC device/IGU characteristics comprise one or more characteristics from the group consisting of:

window voltage, window current, EC coating temperature, glass visible transmission, % tint command, digital input states, and controller status.

7. The IGU of claim 1, further comprising a physical connection between the logic device and EC device to power optical transitions in the EC device.

8. The IGU of claim 1, wherein the sealing separator and the at least two panes together define an interior region that is thermally insulating.

9. The IGU of claim 1, wherein the logic device is positioned outside of a primary seal of the sealing separator.

10. The IGU of claim 1, wherein the logic device does not extend beyond the individual panes of the IGU.

11. The IGU of claim 1, wherein the logic device is part of a window controller comprising:

a power converter configured to convert a low voltage to the power requirements of said at least one EC device;

a communication circuit for receiving and sending commands to and from a remote controller;

a microcontroller comprising the logic device for controlling said at least one EC device; and

a driver circuit for powering said at least one EC device.

12. The IGU of claim 11, wherein the communication circuit comprises a wireless communication circuit.

13. The IGU of claim 12, wherein wireless communication occurs through at least one of RF, IR, Bluetooth, WiFi, Zigbee, or EnOcean.

14. The IGU of claim 11, wherein the window controller further comprises a redundant driver circuit.

15. The IGU of claim 11, further comprising one or more sensors, wherein at least one of said one or more sensors are part of the window controller.

16. The IGU of claim 11, wherein the window controller has dimensions of 6 inches by 1 inch by 1 inch, or less, on each dimension.

17. The IGU of claim 16, wherein the window controller has dimensions of 5 inches by ¾

inches by ⅝

inches, or less, on each dimension.

18. The IGU of claim 11, wherein the window controller further comprises a wireless power receiver.

19. The IGU of claim 18, wherein the wireless power receiver receives wireless power transmission occurring through at least one of induction, resonance induction, radio frequency power transfer, microwave power transfer, and laser power transfer.

20. The IGU of claim 1, wherein at least two of the panes comprise an EC device.

21. The IGU of claim 20, wherein the logic device is configured to independently control each of the two EC devices.

22. The IGU of claim 20, wherein each of the two EC devices are all solid state and inorganic.

23. The IGU of claim 1, wherein the logic device is positioned at least partially between the individual panes of the IGU in a secondary seal around the sealing separator.

24. The IGU of claim 23, wherein the logic device is part of a window controller that is positioned at least partially between the individual panes of the IGU and extends beyond a perimeter of the IGU and into a frame of a window assembly.

25. The IGU of claim 1, wherein the logic device is incorporated into the IGU, substantially within a secondary seal around the sealing separator.