Spacers and connectors for insulated glass units

• US 9,910,336 B2
• Filed: 07/26/2016
• Issued: 03/06/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 12/08/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: View Incorporated
• Original Assignee: View Incorporated
• Inventors: Parker, Ronald M., Bhatnagar, Yashraj, Frank, Trevor, Wilbur, Travis D., Brown, Stephen C.
• Primary Examiner(s): HASAN, MOHAMMED A
• Application Number:
  US15/219,832
• Publication Number:
  US 20160334689A1
• Time in Patent Office: 588 Days
• Field of Search: 359265, 359245, 359237-239, 359275
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 17/10055 with at least one intermediate air space
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 17/10174 Coatings of a metallic or dielectric material on a constituent layer of glass or polymer
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 17/10513 Electrochromic layer
• CPC Class Codes: E06B 2003/6638 with coatings
• CPC Class Codes: E06B 2003/66385 with special shapes
• CPC Class Codes: E06B 2009/247 Electrically powered illumination
• CPC Class Codes: E06B 3/66304 Discrete spacing elements, e.g. for evacuated glazing units
• CPC Class Codes: E06B 3/66314 of tubular shape E06B3/66323 and E06B3/66333 take precedence
• 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 3/66333 of unusual substances, e.g. wood or other fibrous materials, glass or other transparent materials
• CPC Class Codes: E06B 3/66352 with separate sealing strips between the panes and the spacer
• 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 1/155 Electrodes
• 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 13/22 Contacts for co-operating by abutting
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/6205 Two-part coupling devices held in engagement by a magnet

Abstract

This disclosure describes insulated glass units (IGUs) that incorporate electrochromic devices. More specifically, this disclosure focuses on different configurations available for providing an electrical connection to the interior region of an IGU. In many cases, an IGU includes two panes separated by a spacer. The spacer defines an interior region of the IGU and an exterior region of the IGU. Often, the electrochromic device positioned on the pane does not extend past the spacer, and some electrical connection must be provided to supply power from the exterior of the IGU to the electrochromic device on the interior of the IGU. In some embodiments, the spacer includes one or more holes (e.g, channels, mouse holes, other holes, etc.) through which an electrical connection (e.g., wires, busbar leads, etc.) may pass to provide power to the electrochromic device.

Claims

1. A magnetic assembly for providing electrical power to an electrochromic window, the magnetic assembly comprising:

a first connector comprising a first pair of electrical contacts, each of the electrical contacts of the first pair of electrical contacts wired to a distinct bus bar of a pair of bus bars configured to deliver power to an electrochromic device of the electrochromic window;

a second connector that is shaped to register and engage with the first connector, the second connector comprising a second pair of electrical contacts configured to deliver electrical power from a power source;

each electrical contact of the first pair of electrical contacts configured to engage with a distinct electrical contact of the second pair of electrical contacts and establish electrical communication when the first and second connectors are engaged with each other; and

at least one magnetic element configured to magnetically hold the first and second connectors together when they are registered with each other.

2. The magnetic assembly of claim 1, comprising a pair of magnetic elements.

3. The magnetic assembly of claim 2, wherein each magnetic element of the pair of magnetic elements is configured to register with the other and so as to attract each other with opposite magnetic poles when the first and second connectors are engaged.

4. The magnetic assembly of claim 2, wherein the pair of ferromagnetic elements comprises neodymium.

5. The magnetic assembly of claim 1, wherein at least one electrical contact, of the four individual electrical contacts that make up the first and second pair of electrical contacts, is magnetic.

6. The magnetic assembly of claim 5, wherein at least two electrical contacts, of the four individual electrical contacts that make up the first and second pair of electrical contacts, are magnetic.

7. The magnetic assembly of claim 5, wherein at least one electrical contact, of the four individual electrical contacts that make up the first and second pair of electrical contacts, comprises neodymium.

8. The magnetic assembly of claim 1, comprising a first and a second pair of magnetic elements configured to register with the other and so as to attract each other with opposite magnetic poles when the first and second connectors are engaged.

9. The magnetic assembly of claim 1, wherein the first and/or second pair of electrical contacts are pads.

10. The magnetic assembly of claim 1, wherein the first or second pair of electrical contacts are spring-type pins.

11. The magnetic assembly of claim 10, wherein the spring-type pins are magnetic.

12. The magnetic assembly of claim 1, wherein a distal end of the second connector comprises a floating connector.

13. The magnetic assembly of claim 1, wherein a distal end of the second connector comprises terminals for connecting to a window controller.

14. The magnetic assembly of claim 1, wherein the first connector comprises a memory device and/or an integrated circuit device, the memory device and/or integrated circuit device storing information for identifying the electrochromic window and/or for controlling optical transitions of the electrochromic device.

15. The magnetic assembly of claim 14, wherein the memory device and/or integrated circuit device stores information specifying a maximum electric signal that may be applied to the electrochromic device.

16. The magnetic assembly of claim 15, wherein the memory device and/or integrated circuit device stores information specifying a maximum voltage and/or current that may be applied to the electrochromic device.

17. The magnetic assembly of claim 1, wherein the second connector comprises a memory device and/or an integrated circuit device, the memory device and/or integrated circuit device storing information for identifying the electrochromic window and/or for controlling optical transitions of the electrochromic device.

18. The magnetic assembly of claim 17, wherein the memory device and/or integrated circuit device storing information for identifying the electrochromic window and/or for controlling optical transitions of the electrochromic device is provided in a floating connector provided at a distal end of the second connector.

19. The magnetic assembly of claim 1, wherein each of the first and second connectors comprises at least five electrical contacts, at least two of which are configured to transfer power, and at least three of which are configured to transfer communication information.

20. The magnetic assembly of claim 1, wherein the at least one magnetic element comprises neodymium.

21. The magnetic assembly of claim 1, wherein at least two electrical contacts, of the four individual electrical contacts that make up the first and second pair of electrical contacts, comprise neodymium.

22. The magnetic assembly of claim 1, wherein the first connector is positioned within a secondary seal of the electrochromic window, wherein the secondary seal is provided around an outer perimeter of a primary sealing spacer positioned between a first lite and a second lite of the electrochromic window.

23. The magnetic assembly of claim 22, wherein each of the first pair of electrical contacts is wired to the distinct bus bar of the pair of bus bars through wires that are enclosed in the secondary seal or the primary sealing spacer.

24. The magnetic assembly of claim 1, wherein the first connector is part of the electrochromic window, and wherein the second connector is separable from the electrochromic window.