# US 11,112,673 B2 · Polarized window assembly > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 11,112,673 B2 - Document ID: US11112673B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 16/525,184 - Filed: 2019-07-29 - Published: 2019-11-21 - Granted: 2021-09-07 - Earliest claimed: 2016-10-10 - Assignees: Gentex Corporation - Applicants: Gentex Corporation - Inventors: William L. Tonar - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US11112673B2 ## CPC - G02F 1/1503: caused by oxidation-reduction reactions in organic liquid solutions, e.g. viologen solutions - B60R 1/088: {using a cell of electrically changeable optical characteristic, e.g. liquid-crystal or electrochromic mirrors} - E06B 9/24: 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) - G02F 1/01: for the control of the intensity, phase, polarisation or colour (G02F1/29, G02F1/35 take precedence) - G02F 1/153: Constructional details - G02F 1/157: Structural association of cells with optical devices, e.g. reflectors or illuminating devices - G09G 3/38: using electrochromic devices - B32B 17/10513: {Electrochromic layer} - B60Q 1/2665: {on rear-view mirrors (lighting devices for vehicle interior on or for rear-view mirrors B60Q3/258)} - B60R 1/12: Mirror assemblies combined with other articles, e.g. clocks - E06B 2009/2464: {featuring transparency control by applying voltage, e.g. LCD, electrochromic panels} - G02B 5/003: {Light absorbing elements} - G02F 1/133536: {Reflective polarizers (G02F1/13362 takes precedence)} - G02F 1/155: Electrodes - G02F 2201/08: light absorbing layer - G02F 2203/11: involving infrared radiation - G02F: OPTICAL DEVICES OR ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE CONTROL OF LIGHT BY MODIFICATION OF THE OPTICAL PROPERTIES OF THE MEDIA OF THE ELEMENTS INVOLVED THEREIN; NON-LINEAR OPTICS; FREQUENCY-CHANGING OF LIGHT; OPTICAL LOGIC ELEMENTS; OPTICAL ANALOGUE/DIGITAL CONVERTERS - B60R: VEHICLES, VEHICLE FITTINGS, OR VEHICLE PARTS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR - E06B: FIXED OR MOVABLE CLOSURES FOR OPENINGS IN BUILDINGS, VEHICLES, FENCES OR LIKE ENCLOSURES IN GENERAL, e.g. DOORS, WINDOWS, BLINDS, GATES (shades or blinds for greenhouses A01G9/22; curtains A47H; lids for car boots or bonnets B62D25/10; skylights E04B7/18; sunshades, awnings E04F10/00) - G09G: ARRANGEMENTS OR CIRCUITS FOR CONTROL OF INDICATING DEVICES USING STATIC MEANS TO PRESENT VARIABLE INFORMATION (arrangements for transferring data between digital computers and displays G06F3/14; static indicating arrangements comprising an association of a number of separate sources or light control cells G09F9/00; static indicating arrangements comprising integral associations of a number of light sources H01J, H01K, H10H, H05B33/12; scanning, transmission or reproduction of documents or the like, e.g. facsimile transmission, details thereof H04N1/00) - B32B: LAYERED PRODUCTS, i.e. PRODUCTS BUILT-UP OF STRATA OF FLAT OR NON-FLAT, e.g. CELLULAR OR HONEYCOMB, FORM - B60Q: ARRANGEMENT OF SIGNALLING OR LIGHTING DEVICES, THE MOUNTING OR SUPPORTING THEREOF OR CIRCUITS THEREFOR, FOR VEHICLES IN GENERAL - G02B: OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS ## Abstract A window assembly includes an electro-optic element which has a first substantially transparent substrate defining first and second surfaces. The second surface includes a first electrically conductive layer. A second substantially transparent substrate defines third and fourth surfaces. The third surface includes a second electrically conductive layer. A primary seal is disposed between the first and second substrates. The seal and the first and second substrates define a cavity therebetween. An electro-optic medium is disposed in the cavity. The electro-optic medium is switchable such that the electro-optic element is operable between substantially clear and darkened states. An absorptive layer is positioned on the fourth surface of the electro-optic element and a reflective layer is positioned on the absorptive layer. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A window assembly, comprising: an electro-optic element having an electro-optic medium switchable between clear and darkened states; an absorptive layer positioned on a surface of the electro-optic element; and a reflective layer disposed on the absorptive layer, wherein the reflective layer includes a reflective polarizer and the absorptive layer includes an absorptive polarizer. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The window assembly of claim 1, wherein the electro-optic element includes first and second substrates, and wherein the electro-optic medium is disposed between the first and second substrates. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The window assembly of claim 2, wherein the absorptive layer is positioned on an outward side of the first and second substrates. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The window assembly of claim 3, wherein the absorptive layer absorbs multiple polarizations of light and is applied in a pattern on the outward side of the second substrate. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The window assembly of claim 1, wherein the electro-optic medium is an electrochromic medium. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The window assembly of claim 5, wherein the electrochromic medium includes at least one solvent, at least one anodic material, and at least one cathodic material. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The window assembly of claim 1, wherein the window assembly includes a reflective appearance when viewed from an exterior perspective. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The window assembly of claim 1, wherein the absorptive layer absorbs the same polarization of light as the reflective polarizer reflects. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The window assembly of claim 1, wherein the reflective layer includes an infrared reflecting film. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The window assembly of claim 1, wherein the reflective layer includes a dual brightness enhancement film. ### Claim 11 A window assembly, comprising: an electro-optic element operable between a clear state and a darkened state; at least one pane positioned proximate a first surface of the electro-optic element, wherein a gap is defined between the at least one pane and the electro-optic element; an absorptive layer positioned on the first surface of the electro-optic element; a reflective layer positioned proximate the first surface of the electro-optic element; and an infrared reflecting film positioned on at least one of the absorptive layer and the reflective layer, wherein the reflective layer includes a reflective polarizer and the absorptive layer includes an absorptive polarizer. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The window assembly of claim 11, wherein the infrared reflecting film is positioned on a surface of the at least one pane. ### Claim 13 (depends on 11) The window assembly of claim 11, wherein the infrared reflecting film includes dielectric layers. ### Claim 14 (depends on 11) The window assembly of claim 11, wherein the at least one pane includes a first pane and a second pane, and wherein the electro-optic element is disposed between the first pane and the second pane. ### Claim 15 A window assembly, comprising: a first substrate defining a first surface and a second surface; a second substrate defining a third surface and a fourth surface, wherein an electro-optic medium is disposed between the second surface and the third surface; a polarizing reflective layer disposed on the third surface; and a polarizing absorptive layer positioned proximate the second substrate, wherein the polarizing reflective layer is positioned on the polarizing absorptive layer and the window assembly is free of a substrate between the second surface and the third surface. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) The window assembly of claim 15, wherein the polarizing absorptive layer is configured to absorb a same polarization of light that the polarizing reflective layer is configured to reflect. ### Claim 17 (depends on 15) The window assembly of claim 15, wherein each of the first substrate and the second substrate comprises glass. ### Claim 18 (depends on 15) The window assembly of claim 15, further comprising: an infrared reflecting film positioned on one of the polarizing reflective layer and the polarizing absorptive layer. ### Claim 19 (depends on 15) The window assembly of claim 15, further comprising: a protective pane positioned proximate at least one of the first substrate and the second substrate.