Seals for electrochromic windows

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2018024408-A1
Application number	US-201515535681-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	Dec 10, 2015
Priority date	Dec 15, 2014
Publication date	Jan 25, 2018
Grant date	—

Abstract

Embodiments herein relate to methods and apparatus for preventing and mitigating the ingress of moisture into an interior region of an IGU. Various techniques are disclosed including, for example, the use of a strain relief structure around wires passing through a secondary seal, improved materials for coating the wires, and additional/improved layers for bonding the secondary seal to tape provided around a spacer.

First claim

1 . A method for fabricating an insulated glass unit (IGU), the method comprising:
providing a partially fabricated IGU comprising: a first lite and a second lite, at least one of which comprises an electrochromic (EC) device and busbars for powering the EC device, wires connected to the busbars, and a spacer positioned between the first lite and the second lite proximate the periphery of each lite;
installing a strain relief structure at least partially positioned between the first and second lites; and
passing one or more wires through the strain relief structure, whereby the wires resist strain at a location where the wires meet the IGU.

2 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the strain relief structure has a width that is greater than a distance between the first and second lites.

3 . The method of claim 2 , wherein the width is at least about 0.05 inches greater than the distance between the first and second lites.

4 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the strain relief structure has a width that is between about 0.5-1.5 inches.

5 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the strain relief structure has a thickness between about 0.1-0.3 inches.

6 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the strain relief structure is integral with a cable and/or cable sheath.

7 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the strain relief structure comprises electrical connections for directly connecting to the wires.

8 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the strain relief structure comprises a surface that has been roughened or otherwise texturized.

9 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising applying tape to the periphery of the spacer.

10 . The method of claim 9 , wherein the strain relief structure is shaped such that a shortest route for moisture to travel between (i) the secondary seal where the wires enter the secondary seal and (ii) the tape, comprises at least 4 corners.

11 . The method of claim 9 , wherein the strain relief structure is shaped such that a shortest route for moisture to travel between (i) the secondary seal where the wires enter the secondary seal and (ii) the tape, has a distance of at least about 0.5 inches.

12 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the strain relief structure is shaped to include a reservoir into which moisture passing through the secondary seal is routed.

13 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising routing the wires to a single point along the periphery of the partially fabricated IGU, wherein passing the one or more wires through the strain relief structure comprises passing all the wires through the strain relief structure.

14 . The method of claim 13 , further comprising providing a wire bundle coating around the wires after they reach the single point along the periphery of the partially fabricated IGU.

15 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the wires are coated with an insulating material that is compatible with material used for the secondary seal.

16 . The method of claim 15 , wherein the secondary seal is a silicone-based material, and wherein the insulting material coating the wires comprises silicone, a silicone-based material, and/or a silicone-compatible material.

17 . The method of claim 15 , wherein the secondary seal is a polyurethane-based material, and wherein the insulting material coating the wires comprises polyurethane, a polyurethane-based material, and/or a polyurethane-compatible material.

18 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the strain relief structure comprises a material that is compatible with material used for the secondary seal.

19 . The method of claim 18 , wherein the secondary seal is a silicone-based material, and wherein the strain relief structure comprises silicone, a silicone-based material, and/or a silicone-compatible material.

20 . The method of claim 18 , wherein the secondary seal is a polyurethane-based material, and wherein the strain relief structure comprises polyurethane, a polyurethane-based material, and/or a polyurethane-compatible material.

21 . The method of claim 18 , wherein the secondary seal is a polysulfide-based material, and wherein the strain relief structure comprises polysulfide, a polysulfide-based material, and/or a polysulfide-compatible material.

22 . The method of claim 9 , wherein the tape comprises an interior-facing surface that faces the interior of the IGU and an exterior-facing surface opposite the interior-facing surface, wherein the exterior-facing surface of the tape comprises a material compatible with material used for the secondary seal.

23 . The method of claim 22 , wherein the exterior-facing surface of the tape is roughened or otherwise texturized.

24 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising providing an additional layer of adhesive between the spacer and the secondary seal, the additional layer of adhesive in direct contact with the secondary seal and comprising a material that is compatible with the secondary seal.

25 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the partially fabricated IGU further comprises primary seal material between the first lite and the spacer, and between the spacer and the second lite.

26 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising applying a secondary seal material between the first and second lite around the perimeter of the partially fabricated IGU.

27 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising:
installing a second strain relief structure at least partially positioned between the first and second lites, wherein the second strain relief structure is installed on the same side of the partially fabricated IGU as the strain relief structure; passing one or more wires through the second strain relief structure; and providing tension on the one or more wires such that the wires do not contact the first or second lites.

28 . The method of claim 27 , wherein at least one of the strain relief structure and the second strain relief structure comprises a pocket into which the one or more wires are placed and a flexible portion that bends around the one or more wires to help maintain the wires in place in the pocket.

29 . The method of claim 27 , wherein the strain relief structure and/or the second strain relief structure comprising the pocket and flexible portion further comprise legs having rounded ends that contact the first and second lites.

30 . A strain relief structure configured to relieve strain on wires on an electrochromic insulated glass unit (IGU), the strain relief structure comprising:
a body having a width between about 0.5-1.5 inches, a thickness between about 0.1-3.0 inches, and a length between about 0.25-6 inches, wherein the body is shaped such that it can be secured, at least partially, between a first lite and a second lite of the IGU; a hole or a pocket formed in the body, wherein the hole or pocket is formed to accommodate one or more wires therethrough, and wherein the body and the hole or pocket are shaped to relieve a strain on the wires on the IGU.

31 . An electrochromic IGU comprising:
a first lite and a second lite, wherein at least one of the first and second lites comprises an electrochromic device thereon; a spacer separating the first lite from the second lite; busbars for powering the electrochromic device; wires electrically connected to the busbars; a strain relief structure positioned at le

Assignees

• View Inc

Inventors

• Strong Fabian
• Friedman Robin

Classifications

• E06B3/67326

  Assembling spacer elements with the panes · CPC title

• E06B3/6722

  with adjustable passage of light · CPC title

• E06B3/66342 Primary

  characterised by their sealed connection to the panes · CPC title

• G02F1/153 Primary

  Constructional details · 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