Glazing units with cartridge-based control units

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2016376831-A1
Application number	US-201615262646-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	Sep 12, 2016
Priority date	Mar 15, 2013
Publication date	Dec 29, 2016
Grant date	—

Abstract

Glazing units including a cartridge cavity outside of a seal that is located between the first and second panes to form a closed interior volume within the glazing unit are described herein, along with sashes, panels, window assemblies, and/or doors that may incorporate the glazing units. A control unit provided in a cartridge housing located in the cartridge cavity may be operably connected to one or more connected devices to provide any number of a variety of functions such as, e.g., sound control/production, optical effects, thermal effects, etc.

First claim

1 . A glazing unit comprising:
a first pane comprising an interior surface and an exterior surface along with a perimeter that comprises a cavity edge and a glazing unit edge; a second pane comprising an interior surface facing the interior surface of the first pane and an exterior surface facing away from the first pane, the second pane further comprising a perimeter that comprises a cavity edge and a glazing unit edge; a seal located between the first pane and the second pane, wherein the seal defines a closed interior volume located between the first pane and the second pane; a cartridge cavity located outside of the seal between the cavity edge of the first pane and the seal, wherein the cartridge cavity is located adjacent the interior surface of the first pane between the cavity edge of the first pane and the seal, and wherein the cartridge cavity comprises a first setback distance measured between the seal and the cavity edge of the first pane, and further wherein a second setback distance measured between the seal and the glazing unit edge of the first pane is less than the first setback distance, wherein the cavity edge of the second pane extends past the seal such that at least a portion of the cartridge cavity comprises a slot formed between the interior surface of the first pane and the interior surface of the second pane outside of the seal, and wherein the cavity edge of the second pane extends past the seal by a third setback distance that is less than the first setback distance and greater than the second setback distance; a control unit contained in a cartridge housing located within the cartridge cavity; and at least one connected device operably connected to the control unit.

2 . A glazing unit according to claim 1 , wherein the seal is positioned along the glazing unit edges of the first pane and the second pane.

3 - 5 . (canceled)

6 . A glazing unit according to claim 1 , wherein the at least one connected device is attached to the glazing unit.

7 . A glazing unit according to claim 6 , wherein the at least one connected device is located within the cartridge housing.

8 . A glazing unit according to claim 6 , wherein the at least one connected device is attached to the first pane and/or the second pane.

9 . A glazing unit according to claim 6 , wherein the at least one connected device is located within the closed interior volume located between the first pane and the second pane.

10 . A glazing unit according to claim 1 , wherein the at least one connected device is configured to deliver electrical energy to the control unit and/or receive electrical energy from the control unit.

11 . A glazing unit according to claim 1 , wherein the control unit comprises a capacitive touch control positioned against the interior surface of one of the first pane or the second pane, wherein the capacitive touch control is configured to be operated by touching the exterior surface of the first pane or the second pane proximate the capacitive touch control.

12 . A glazing unit according to claim 11 , wherein the capacitive touch control is located on the cartridge housing.

13 . A glazing unit according to claim 1 , wherein the control unit comprises a wireless communication module configured to send and/or receive instructions to operate the control unit from a remote device.

14 . A glazing unit according to claim 1 , wherein the glazing unit further comprises a solar collector configured to convert solar energy to electrical energy and deliver that electrical energy to the control unit, wherein the solar collector is located in the cartridge cavity.

15 . A window assembly or door comprising:
a sash defining an inner perimeter; a glazing unit mounted in the sash, wherein a hidden portion of the glazing unit is hidden from view because it is contained within the sash outside of the inner perimeter, and wherein the glazing unit comprises a viewable portion located within the inner perimeter of the sash, and wherein the glazing unit further comprises:
a first pane comprising an interior surface and an exterior surface along with a perimeter that comprises a cavity edge and a glazing unit edge;
a second pane comprising an interior surface facing the interior surface of the first pane and an exterior surface facing away from the first pane, the second pane further comprising a perimeter that comprises a cavity edge and a glazing unit edge;
a seal located between the first pane and the second pane, wherein the seal defines a closed interior volume located between the first pane and the second pane;
a cartridge cavity located outside of the seal between the cavity edge of the first pane and the seal, wherein the cartridge cavity is located adjacent the interior surface of the first pane between the cavity edge of the first pane and the seal, and further wherein at least a portion of the cartridge cavity is located in the viewable portion of the glazing unit, wherein the cartridge cavity comprises a first setback distance measured between the seal and the cavity edge of the first pane, and further wherein a second setback distance measured between the seal and the glazing unit edge of the first pane is less than the first setback distance, and wherein the cavity edge of the second pane extends past the seal by a third setback distance that is less than the first setback distance and greater than the second setback distance;
a control unit contained in a cartridge housing located within the cartridge cavity, wherein at least a portion of the cartridge housing is located in the viewable portion of the glazing unit; and
at least one connected device operably connected to the control unit.

16 . A window assembly or door according to claim 15 , wherein the seal is positioned along the glazing unit edges of the first pane and the second pane.

17 . (canceled)

18 . A window assembly or door according to claim 15 , wherein the cavity edge of the second pane extends past the seal such that at least a portion of the cartridge cavity comprises a slot formed between the interior surface of the first pane and the interior surface of the second pane outside of the seal.

19 - 20 . (canceled)

21 . A window assembly or door according to claim 15 , wherein the at least one connected device is attached to the window assembly.

22 . A window assembly or door according to claim 21 , wherein the at least one connected device is located within the cartridge housing.

23 . A window assembly or door according to claim 21 , wherein the at least one connected device is attached to the first pane and/or the second pane of the glazing unit.

24 . A window assembly or door according to claim 21 , wherein the at least one connected device is located within the closed interior volume located between the first pane and the second pane.

25 . A window assembly or door according to claim 15 , wherein the control unit comprises a capacitive touch control positioned against the interior surface of one of the first pane or the second pane, wherein the capacitive touch control is configured to be operated by touching the exterior surface of the first pane or the second pane proximate the capacitive touch control.

26 . A window assembly or door according to claim 25 , wherein the capacitive touch control is located on the cartridge housing.

27 . A window assembly or door according to claim 15 , wherein the control unit comprises a wireless communicatio

Assignees

• Andersen Corp

Inventors

• Plummer David D

Classifications

• G08C17/02

  using a radio link · CPC title

• E06B7/28

  Other arrangements on doors or windows, e.g. door-plates, windows adapted to carry plants, hooks for window cleaners {(edge protecting devices for door leaves E06B3/88; special glazing; emergency glazing; double glazing E06B3/66)} · 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

• E06B3/66

  Units comprising two or more parallel glass or like panes permanently secured together {(reforming and uniting glass sheets by fusing C03B23/00; joining glass to glass or to other materials C03C27/00; laminated glass B32B17/10)} · CPC title

• E06B3/67 Primary

  characterised by additional arrangements or devices for heat or sound insulation {or for controlled passage of light} · CPC title