Connectors for smart windows
This disclosure provides connectors for smart windows. A smart window may incorporate an optically switchable pane. In one aspect, a window unit includes an insulated glass unit including an optically switchable pane. A wire assembly may be attached to the edge of the insulated glass unit and may include wires in electrical communication with electrodes of the optically switchable pane. A floating connector may be attached to a distal end of the wire assembly. The floating connector may include a flange and a nose, with two holes in the flange for affixing the floating connector to a first frame. The nose may include a terminal face that present two exposed contacts of opposite polarity. Pre-wired spacers improve fabrication efficiency and seal integrity of insulated glass units. Electrical connection systems include those embedded in the secondary seal of the insulated glass unit.
1. A pre-wired spacer for an insulated glass unit, the pre-wired spacer comprising:
one or more wires configured to supply electricity to an optical device disposed on a lite of the insulated glass unit, the one or more wires emanating from a body of the pre-wired spacer; and
a connector in electrical communication with the one or more wires.
2. The pre-wired spacer of claim 1 , wherein the connector is a pigtail connector.
3. The pre-wired spacer of claim 2 , wherein the pigtail connector is connected to an end of the one or more wires.
4. The pre-wired spacer of claim 1 , wherein the connector is a socket configured for connection to one or components of a window controller.
5. The pre-wired spacer of claim 1 , wherein the connector is in a secondary seal of the insulated glass unit and configured to connect to a window controller such that the window controller fits within the secondary seal.
6. The pre-wired spacer of claim 1 , wherein the connector is configured for connection to a plug-in window controller.
7. The pre-wired spacer of claim 1 , further comprising a controller outside or inside the pre-wired spacer.
8. The pre-wired spacer of claim 1 , wherein the body of the pre-wired spacer comprises stainless steel, a polymeric material, or a foam material.
9. The pre-wired spacer of claim 1 , wherein the electricity does not traverse a primary seal of the insulated glass unit.
10. The pre-wired spacer of claim 1 , wherein the one or more wires are in electrical communication with one or more bus bars disposed on the optical device.
11. The pre-wired spacer of claim 10 , wherein the one or more bus bars are either (i) in a primary seal between the pre-wired spacer and the lite and between the pre-wired spacer and another lite of the insulated glass unit, or (ii) within a sealed interior volume of the insulated glass unit.
12. The pre-wired spacer of claim 11 , wherein the sealed interior volume is defined by one or more outer faces of the pre-wired spacer, and one or more inner faces of the lites.
13. The pre-wired spacer of claim 1 , wherein the one or more wires pass through the body of the pre-wired spacer from outside a hermetic seal to an interior volume of the insulated glass unit.
14. A method of fabricating an insulated glass unit, the method comprising:
(i) registering a pre-wired spacer to a first lite of the insulated glass unit, the pre-wired spacer comprising (a) one or more wires emanating from the pre-wired spacer and (b) a connector in electrical communication with the one or more wires, the one or more wires configured to supply electricity to an optical device disposed on the first lite;
(ii) registering a second lite with the pre-wired spacer and the first lite; and
(iii) affixing the pre-wired spacer to the first and second lites.
15. The method of claim 14 , wherein the one or more wires pass through a body of the pre-wired spacer.
16. The method of claim 14 , wherein the one or more wires are connected to one or more bus bars of the optical device prior to (i) or (ii).
17. The method of claim 14 , wherein (iii) comprises forming a hermetic metal to glass seal, wherein the pre-wired spacer comprises a metal, at least on sealing surfaces.
18. An insulated glass unit, comprising:
a first lite comprising an optical device;
a second lite; and
a pre-wired spacer between the first lite and the second lite, the pre-wired spacer comprising (a) one or more wires configured to supply electricity to the optical device, the one or more wires emanating from a body of the pre-wired spacer and (b) a connector in electrical communication with the one or more wires.
19. The insulated glass unit of claim 18 , wherein the connector is a pigtail connector.
20. The insulated glass unit of claim 19 , wherein the pigtail connector is connected to an end of the one or more wires.
21. The insulated glass unit of claim 18 , wherein the connector is a socket configured for connection to one or components of a window controller.
22. The insulated glass unit of claim 18 , wherein the connector is in a secondary seal of the insulated glass unit and the connector is configured to connect to a window controller such that the window controller fits within the secondary seal.
23. The insulated glass unit of claim 18 , wherein the connector is configured for connection to a plug-in window controller.
24. The insulated glass unit of claim 18 , further comprising a controller outside or inside the pre-wired spacer.
25. The insulated glass unit of claim 18 , wherein the body of the pre-wired spacer comprises stainless steel, a polymeric material, or a foam material.
26. The insulated glass unit of claim 18 , wherein the electricity does not traverse a primary seal of the insulated glass unit.
27. The insulated glass unit of claim 18 , wherein the one or more wires are in electrical communication with one or more bus bars disposed on the optical device.
28. The insulated glass unit of claim 27 , wherein the one or more bus bars are either (i) in a primary seal between the pre-wired spacer and the first and second lites, or (ii) within a sealed interior volume of the insulated glass unit.
29. The insulated glass unit of claim 28 , wherein the sealed interior volume is defined by one or more outer faces of the pre-wired spacer, and one or more inner faces of the first and second lites.
30. The insulated glass unit of claim 18 , wherein the one or more wires pass through the body of the pre-wired spacer from outside a hermetic seal to an interior volume of the insulated glass unit.