Electrical connection configurations for privacy glazing structures

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-11467439-B2
Application number	US-202117239844-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Apr 26, 2021
Priority date	Jul 13, 2017
Publication date	Oct 11, 2022
Grant date	Oct 11, 2022

Abstract

A privacy glazing structure may include an electrically controllable optically active material that provides controlled transition between a privacy or scattering state and a visible or transmittance state. To make electrical connections with electrode layers that control the optically active material, the privacy glazing structure may include electrode engagement regions. In some examples, the electrode engagement regions are formed as notches in peripheral edges of opposed panes bounding the optically active material. The notches may or may not overlap to provide a through conduit in the region of overlap for wiring. In either case, the notches may allow the remainder of the structure to have a flush edge surface for ease of downstream processing.

First claim

The invention claimed is:

1. A privacy glazing structure comprising:
a first pane of transparent material having an inner face, an outer face, and a peripheral edge;
a second pane of transparent material having an inner face, an outer face, and a peripheral edge;
a first electrode layer on the inner face of the first pane of transparent material;
a second electrode layer on the inner face of the second pane of transparent material;
an electrically controllable optically active material positioned between the first electrode layer on the inner face of the first pane of transparent material and the second electrode layer on the inner face of the second pane of transparent material;
wherein the first pane of transparent material is generally parallel to the second pane of transparent material to form a cavity therebetween containing the electrically controllable optically active material, and the peripheral edge of the first pane of transparent material is aligned with the peripheral edge of the second pane of transparent material to provide a flush edge surface,
the first pane of transparent material defines a first notch providing access to the second electrode layer on the inner face of the second pane of transparent material, and
the second pane of transparent material defines a second notch providing access to the first electrode layer on the inner face of the first pane of transparent material.

2. The structure of claim 1 , wherein the first notch extends from the peripheral edge of the first pane toward a center of the first pane a distance less than 12 mm, and the second notch extends from the peripheral edge of the second pane toward a center of the second pane a distance less than 12 mm.

3. The structure of claim 1 , wherein the first notch and the second notch each have a size within a range from 50 square millimeters to 400 square millimeters.

4. The structure of claim 1 , wherein the first notch and second notch have a length along the peripheral edge of the first pane and the peripheral edge of the second pane, respectively, greater than a width extending toward a center of the first pane and the second pane, respectively.

5. The structure of claim 1 , wherein:
the first notch extends through thicknesses of the first pane of transparent material, the first electrode layer, and the electrically controllable optically active material to provide access to the second electrode layer on the inner face of the second pane of transparent material from the outer face of the first pane; and
the second notch extends through thicknesses of the second pane of transparent material, the second electrode layer, and the electrically controllable optically active material to provide access to the first electrode layer on the inner face of the first pane of transparent material from the outer face of the second pane.

6. The structure of claim 1 , wherein the first pane of transparent material and the second pane of transparent material each have a polygonal shape having a plurality of sides, and the first notch and the second notch are on a same side of the plurality of sides.

7. The structure of claim 1 , wherein adjacent terminal edges of the first notch and the second notch are laterally offset from each other a distance ranging from 1 mm to 25 mm.

8. The structure of claim 1 , further comprising wiring connecting the first electrode layer and the second electrode layer to a power source.

9. The structure of claim 8 , wherein:
the wiring comprises a first wire connected to the first electrode layer and a second wire connected to the second electrode layer.

10. The structure of claim 9 , further comprising a first electrode attached to the first wire and a second electrode attached to the second wire.

11. The structure of claim 10 , wherein the first electrode is bonded to the first electrode layer and the second electrode is bonded to the second electrode layer.

12. The structure of claim 1 , wherein the first notch and the second notch each have a curved shape extending from the peripheral edge of the first pane and the peripheral edge of the second pane, respectively, toward a center of the first pane and the second pane, respectively.

13. The structure of claim 12 , wherein the curved shape comprises a semi-circle having a radius of curvature less than 3 mm.

14. The structure of claim 1 , wherein the first pane of transparent material and the second pane of transparent material each have a polygonal shape having a plurality of sides joined at corners, and a distance between a terminal edge of the first notch adjacent a nearest corner and a terminal edge of the second notch adjacent a nearest corner is at least 75 millimeters.

15. The structure of claim 1 , wherein the first notch and the second notch are defined by wall surfaces of the first pane and second pane, respectively, that slope at a non-zero degree angle from the outer face to the inner face.

16. The structure of claim 1 , further comprising a first cover material filling the first notch and a second cover material filling the second notch.

17. The structure of claim 16 , wherein the first cover material and the second cover material are each elected from the group consisting of a polymeric sealant, a polymeric film a rigid plate, and combinations thereof.

18. The structure of claim 17 , wherein the first cover material and the second cover material each comprise a rigid plate formed for glass having a footprint mirroring the first notch and the second notch, respectively.

Assignees

• Cardinal Ig Co

Inventors

• Berner Eric
• Bjergaard Eric
• Braun Timothy
• Demiglio Andrew
• Peters Chad

Classifications

• E06B3/6722

  with adjustable passage of light · CPC title

• G02F1/13306

  Circuit arrangements or driving methods for the control of single liquid crystal cells (G02F1/132, G02F1/133382 take precedence) · CPC title

• B32B17/10293

  Edge features, e.g. inserts or holes · CPC title

• G02F1/133331

  Cover glasses · CPC title

• E06B9/24

  Screens or other constructions affording protection against light, especially against sunshine; Similar screens for privacy or appearance; {Slat blinds}(operating, guiding or securing devices or arrangements for roll-type closures E06B9/56; free-hanging flexible screens A47H23/00) · CPC title