Onboard controller for multistate windows
View Patent ↗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.
1. A network of window assemblies, each comprising:
at least one electrochromic (EC) pane and at least one additional pane;
a spacer separating the at least one EC pane from the at least one additional pane, wherein the spacer is provided proximate perimeter regions of the at least one EC pane and the at least one additional pane, where the at least one EC pane and additional pane, together with the interior surfaces of the spacer, form an interior space therebetween;
a primary seal between the spacer and the at least one EC pane, and between the spacer and the at least one additional pane,
a secondary seal zone around the outer perimeter of the spacer, between the at least one EC pane and the at least one additional pane; and
a window controller configured to control said at least one EC pane of the window assembly, wherein the window controller is positioned at least partially in the secondary seal zone.
2. The network of window assemblies of claim 1 , wherein the window controller does not extend beyond the at least one EC pane or the at least one additional pane.
3. The network of window assemblies of claim 1 , further comprising a secondary sealing material applied in the secondary seal zone.
4. The network of window assemblies of claim 1 , wherein the window controller comprises:
a power converter configured to convert a low voltage to the power requirements of said at least one EC pane;
a communication circuit for receiving and sending commands to and from a remote controller, and receiving and sending input to and from a microcontroller; the microcontroller comprising a logic for controlling said at least one EC pane based at least in part by input received from one or more sensors; and
a driver circuit for powering said at least one EC device.
5. The network of window assemblies of claim 4 , wherein the window controller comprises wireless communication and/or wireless powering functions.
6. The network of window assemblies of claim 4 , wherein at least one of said one or more sensors are part of the window controller.
7. The network of window assemblies of claim 4 , wherein the window controller further comprises an RFID tag and/or memory.
8. The network of window assemblies of claim 7 , wherein said RFID tag and/or memory is programmed with at least one of the following data: warranty information, installation information, vendor information, batch/inventory information, EC device/IGU characteristics, an EC device cycle count, and customer information.
9. The network of window assemblies of claim 8 , 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.
10. The network of window assemblies of claim 4 , wherein each window assembly comprises two EC panes and wherein the logic is configured to independently control each of the two EC panes.
11. The network of window assemblies of claim 10 , wherein each of the two EC panes comprises an EC device that is all solid state and inorganic.
12. The network of window assemblies of claim 1 , wherein the window controller is positioned entirely within the secondary seal zone.
13. The network of window assemblies of claim 1 , wherein the window controller resides along two or more edges of the window assembly.
14. The network of window assemblies of claim 1 , wherein the window controller is mounted on at least one of the panes.
15. The network of window assemblies of claim 1 , wherein the window controller comprises a user interface configured to control the at least one EC pane.
16. The network of window assemblies of claim 1 , wherein the network of window assemblies is configured in a daisy chain topology, a linear bus topology, or a CAN bus topology.
17. The network of window assemblies of claim 4 , wherein the communication circuit comprises a RF, IR, Bluetooth, WiFi, Zigbee, or EnOcean circuit.
18. The network of window assemblies of claim 1 , wherein the network of window assemblies comprises a network controller coupled to a window controller of each window assembly, and wherein the network controller is configured to send input signals to each of the window controllers.
19. The network of window assemblies of claim 18 , wherein the network controller is physically separate from the network of window assemblies.
20. The network of window assemblies of claim 1 , wherein the network of window assemblies is provided in a building, and wherein the network of window assemblies communicate with a building management system in the building.
21. The network of window assemblies of claim 20 , further comprising a direct electrical path between the network controller and each window assembly that does not go through other window assemblies.
22. The network of window assemblies of claim 21 , wherein the electrical path delivers both power and control information.
23. The network of window assemblies of claim 21 , wherein the window controller of each respective window assembly is configured to analyze feedback from the respective window assembly.
24. The network of window assemblies of claim 1 , wherein the window controller is disposed around two or more sides of the window assembly.