Self-contained EC IGU
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.
1. An insulated glass unit (IGU) comprising:
an electrochromic lite comprising:
a transparent substrate,
an electrochromic device positioned on the transparent substrate, and
a pair of bus bars for driving an optical transition on the electrochromic device;
an additional lite oriented parallel to the electrochromic lite;
a spacer positioned between the electrochromic lite and the additional lite and forming therewith a sealed interior region;
a dock positioned on either the electrochromic lite or on the additional lite, outside of the sealed interior region, wherein the dock comprises a memory component programmed with at least one physical characteristic of the IGU and is configured to removably secure a carrier onto the electrochromic lite or the additional lite, the carrier comprising at least one component for controlling optical transitions of the electrochromic device.
2. The IGU of claim 1 , further comprising one or more electrical connections for delivering power from (a) either the dock or the carrier to (b) the pair of bus bars on the electrochromic lite.
3. The IGU of claim 1 , wherein the dock is positioned on the additional lite.
4. The IGU of claim 2 , wherein the one or more electrical connections for delivering power from (a) either the dock or the carrier to (b) the pair of bus bars on the electrochromic lite comprises flexible tape with conductive lines provided thereon, the flexible tape extending around an edge of the lite on which the dock is positioned and onto the electrochromic lite.
5. The IGU of claim 2 , wherein the one or more electrical connections for delivering power from (a) either the dock or the carrier to (b) the bus bars on the electrochromic lite comprises a clip that secures around an edge of the lite on which the dock is positioned, the clip comprising conductive lines for delivering power, the IGU further comprising one or more electrical connections for delivering power between the clip and the bus bars on the electrochromic lite.
6. The IGU of claim 5 , wherein the one or more electrical connections for delivering power between the clip and the bus bars on the electrochromic lite comprise:
(i) a block of material comprising conductive lines, the block of material being positioned between the electrochromic lite and the additional lite, or
(ii) a wire attached to and positioned between the electrochromic lite and the additional lite.
7. The IGU of claim 2 , further comprising secondary seal material between the electrochromic lite and the additional lite, peripherally exterior of the spacer, and at least partially covering the electrical connections for delivering power from (a) either the dock or the carrier to (b) bus bars on the electrochromic lite.
8. The IGU of claim 1 , wherein the dock is a socket into which the carrier fits.
9. The IGU of claim 1 , wherein the dock is a base onto which the carrier fits.
10. The IGU of claim 1 , further comprising the carrier, wherein the carrier locks into the dock such that it can only be removed from the dock by an authorized person.
11. The IGU of claim 1 , wherein the dock is configured to receive power from a wired power source.
12. The IGU of claim 11 , further comprising the carrier, wherein the carrier receives power from the dock.
13. The IGU of claim 1 , wherein the carrier is configured to receive power from a wired power source.
14. The IGU of claim 1 , further comprising the carrier, wherein the carrier comprises an electrical connection configured to deliver power to a circuit board between the dock and the carrier, or between the dock and the lite on which the dock is positioned.
15. The IGU of claim 14 , wherein the a component of the circuit board delivers power to an electrical contact on the surface of the additional lite to the pair of bus bars of the electrochromic lite.
16. The IGU of claim 14 , wherein the electrical connection delivers power to a component of an antenna that is patterned onto the lite on which the dock is positioned; the antenna patterned on either side of the lite on which the dock is positioned, the antenna configured to receive cellular signals, Wi-Fi signals, and/or television signals.
17. The IGU of claim 14 , wherein the electrical connection comprises a pogo pin.
18. The IGU of claim 14 , further comprising a photovoltaic film provided on either the electrochromic lite or on the additional lite, wherein the electrical connection transfers power between (a) a surface on the electrochromic lite or on the additional lite on which the dock is positioned, and (b) a different surface on the electrochromic lite or on the additional lite, the electrical connection serving to directly or indirectly deliver power from the photovoltaic film to the dock or carrier.
19. The IGU of claim 1 , further comprising the carrier, wherein the carrier comprises a photosensor for sensing exterior light levels, and wherein the dock comprises a perforation through which the photosensor measures the exterior light levels, wherein the dock, carrier, and photosensor are positioned such that the photosensor has an unobstructed line of sight through the electrochromic lite and the additional lite.
20. The IGU of claim 1 , further comprising the carrier, wherein the carrier comprises a photosensor for sensing interior light levels.
21. The IGU of claim 1 , wherein the electrochromic lite comprises a connection point where power to the pair of bus bars is delivered to the electrochromic lite, the electrochromic lite further comprising conductive lines printed thereon to provide an electrical connection between the connection point on the electrochromic lite and the bus bars on the electrochromic lite.
22. The IGU of claim 21 , wherein the connection point is one of multiple connection points configured such that the dock and carrier can be positioned at a number of different locations on the IGU.
23. The IGU of claim 1 , wherein the electrochromic lite is positioned outboard of the additional lite, and wherein the dock is positioned on the additional lite such that it is accessible to a person standing in a building in which the IGU is installed.
24. The IGU of claim 23 , further comprising a frame surrounding a periphery of the IGU, wherein the frame comprises a perforation positioned proximate the dock, and wherein an electrical connection passes through the perforation in the frame to bring power to either the dock or the carrier.
25. The IGU of claim 1 , further comprising a cover provided over the dock, wherein the cover extends no more than about 0.1 inches from a surface on which the dock is positioned.
26. The IGU of claim 1 , wherein the dock and the carrier have a footprint area on the electrochromic lite or the additional lite of less than 4 in 2 or less than 3 in 2 or less than 2 in 2 , and a combined thickness of about ½ inch or less, about ⅜ inch or less, or ⅛ inch or less.
27. The IGU of claim 1 , further comprising the carrier, wherein the carrier comprises logic for controlling optical transitions of the electrochromic device, and wherein the carrier reads and uses the physical characteristics of the IGU from the memory component of the dock when carrying out the logic for controlling optical transitions of the electrochromic device.