Onboard controller for multistate windows
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 window assembly comprising:
an electrochromic (EC) pane including an EC device; and
a window controller configured to control the EC device;
wherein the window controller is configured to communicate with a remote controller and to receive power via the same conductor, and wherein the window controller is shaped to physically prevent the EC device from being connected to in a reverse polarity to an external power source.
2. The window assembly according to claim 1 , wherein the window controller is configured to communicate with the remote controller via an Ethernet protocol.
3. The window assembly according to claim 1 , wherein the window controller is configured to communicate with the remote controller via a Power over Ethernet protocol.
4. The window assembly according to claim 1 , wherein the conductor is a power line.
5. The window assembly according to claim 1 , wherein the window controller is further configured to communicate wirelessly with the remote controller.
6. The window assembly according to claim 1 , wherein the window controller is wired to the EC device.
7. The window assembly according to claim 1 , wherein the window assembly comprises an insulated glass unit (IGU), the IGU comprising:
at least two panes, one of which being the EC pane; and
a separator disposed between the at least two panes, the at least two panes being sealed to the separator, thereby forming a primary seal.
8. The window assembly according to claim 7 , wherein the window controller is positioned at least partially in between the at least two panes.
9. The window assembly according to claim 7 comprising a secondary seal applied around perimeter edges of the IGU, wherein the window controller is positioned at least partially in the secondary seal.
10. The window assembly according to claim 9 , wherein the window controller is incorporated into the secondary seal such that a power socket of the window controller is exposed to the ambient for wiring purposes.
11. The window assembly according to claim 1 , wherein the received power comprises a voltage of about 24 V or about 48 V.
12. The window assembly according to claim 1 , wherein power and communication functions of the window controller are combined on a single chip.
13. An insulated glass unit (IGU) comprising:
at least two panes, at least one of which is an electrochromic (EC) pane including an EC device;
an associated window controller configured to control the EC device; and
a separator disposed between the at least two panes, the at least two panes being sealed to the separator, thereby forming a primary seal;
wherein the window controller is wired to the EC device and configured to communicate with a remote controller and receive power via the same conductor, and wherein the window controller is shaped to physically prevent the EC device from being connected to in a reverse polarity to an external power source.
14. The IGU according to claim 13 , wherein the window controller is configured to communicate with the remote controller via an Ethernet protocol.
15. The IGU according to claim 13 , wherein the window controller is configured to communicate with the remote controller via a Power over Ethernet protocol.
16. The IGU according to claim 13 , wherein the window controller is further configured to communicate wirelessly with the remote controller.
17. The IGU according to claim 13 , wherein the conductor is a power line.
18. The IGU according to claim 13 , wherein the window controller is positioned at least partially in between the at least two panes.
19. The IGU according to claim 13 comprising a secondary seal applied around perimeter edges of the IGU, wherein the window controller is positioned at least partially in the secondary seal.
20. The insulated glass unit according to claim 13 , wherein the received power comprises a voltage of about 24 V or about 48 V.
21. A window controller comprising:
a power converter configured to convert a voltage to power requirements of an electrochromic (EC) device of an EC pane;
a microcontroller including a logic for controlling the EC device; and
a communication circuit for communicating with a remote controller and the microcontroller;
wherein the window controller is configured to receive power and communicate with the remote controller via the same conductor, and wherein the window controller is shaped to physically prevent the EC device from being connected to in a reverse polarity to an external power source.
22. The window controller according to claim 21 , wherein the communication circuit is configured to communicate with the remote controller via an Ethernet protocol.
23. The window controller according to claim 21 , wherein the communication circuit is configured to communicate with the remote controller via a Power over Ethernet protocol.
24. The window controller according to claim 21 , wherein the communication circuit is further configured to communicate wirelessly with the remote controller.
25. The window controller according to claim 21 , wherein the conductor is a power line.
26. The window controller according to claim 21 , wherein communicating with the remote controller and the microcontroller comprises receiving and sending commands from and to the remote controller and receiving and sending input from and to the microcontroller.
27. The window controller according to claim 21 , wherein the power converter is configured to convert the voltage to between 2 V and 10 V.
28. The window controller according to claim 21 , wherein the received power comprises a voltage of about 24 V or about 48 V.
29. A network of electrochromic (EC) windows,
the network comprising a plurality of EC windows each having an EC device and an associated localized window controller connected to a power source and a remote controller by a conductor,
wherein the localized window controllers are configured to communicate with the remote controller via the conductors, and wherein the localized window controllers are shaped to physically prevent the EC devices from being connected to in a reverse polarity to an external power source.
30. The network according to claim 29 , wherein the localized window controllers are configured to communicate with the remote controller via an Ethernet protocol.
31. The network according to claim 29 , wherein the localized window controllers are configured to communicate with the remote controller via a Power over Ethernet protocol.
32. The networking according to claim 29 , wherein the localized window controllers are further configured to communicate wirelessly with the remote controller.
33. The network according to claim 29 , wherein the conductors are power lines.
34. The network according to claim 29 , wherein each associated localized window controller is an onboard window controller.
35. The network according to claim 29 , wherein the power source provides a voltage of about 24 V or about 48 V.