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:
a first lite;
a second lite positioned opposite to the first lite, wherein the first lite and/or the second lite comprises an electrochromic device disposed thereon;
a spacer positioned between the first lite and the second lite, wherein the first lite, second lite, and spacer together form the IGU;
a sealed interior region of the IGU defined between the first lite and the second lite, which sealed interior region of the IGU (i) is bounded at its periphery by the spacer, and (ii) comprises therein at least a portion of the electrochromic device;
a first component positioned in the sealed interior region of the IGU, wherein the first component is (i) an antenna, (ii) a ground plane, (iii) a connection point comprising a plurality of electrical traces, or (iv) a pad comprising a plurality of electrical contacts;
a second component positioned out of the sealed interior region of the IGU; and
a flexible conductor that traverses from an interior of the sealed interior region of the IGU to an exterior to the sealed interior region of the IGU, wherein the flexible conductor passes between the spacer and the first lite, wherein the flexible conductor electrically connects the first component to the second component, wherein the flexible conductor electrically connects to the first component at a location in the interior of the sealed interior region of the IGU, and wherein the flexible conductor electrically connects to the second component at a location exterior to the sealed interior region of the IGU.
2. The IGU of claim 1 , wherein the first component comprises the antenna.
3. The IGU of claim 1 , wherein the first component comprises the ground plane.
4. The IGU of claim 1 , wherein the first component comprises the connection point comprising the plurality of electrical traces.
5. The IGU of claim 1 , wherein the first component comprises the pad comprising the plurality of electrical contacts.
6. The IGU of claim 1 , wherein the second component comprises a controller.
7. The IGU of claim 1 , wherein the second component comprises a carrier configured to engage with a controller.
8. The IGU of claim 1 , wherein the second component comprises a user interface.
9. The IGU of claim 8 , wherein the second component comprises a touch screen.
10. The IGU of claim 1 , wherein the first lite comprises the electrochromic device.
11. The IGU of claim 1 , wherein the flexible conductor comprises flexible conductor tape.
12. The IGU of claim 1 , wherein the flexible conductor comprises a ribbon cable.
13. The IGU of claim 1 , further comprising a primary seal positioned between the spacer and the first lite.
14. The IGU of claim 13 , wherein the flexible conductor additionally passes through the primary seal.
15. The IGU of claim 13 , further comprising a secondary seal disposed peripherally outside of the spacer.
16. The IGU of claim 15 , wherein the flexible conductor passes through the secondary seal.
17. The IGU of claim 1 , further comprising:
a secondary seal zone positioned between the first lite and the second lite and peripherally outside of the spacer; and
a controller configured to control optical transitions on the electrochromic device, wherein the controller is positioned within the secondary seal zone.