# US 12,000,203 B2 · Privacy glazing structure with asymetrical pane offsets for electrical connection configurations > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 12,000,203 B2 - Document ID: US12000203B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 17/213,365 - Filed: 2021-03-26 - Published: 2021-07-15 - Granted: 2024-06-04 - Earliest claimed: 2018-08-17 - Assignees: Cardinal IG Company - Applicants: Cardinal IG Company - Inventors: Eric Bjergaard; Andrew DeMiglio - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US12000203B2 ## CPC - E06B 3/6722: {with adjustable passage of light} - B32B 17/10055: {with at least one intermediate air space} - B32B 17/10504: {Liquid crystal layer} - B32B 17/10513: {Electrochromic layer} - B32B 17/10532: {Suspended particle layer} - B32B 17/10743: {containing acrylate (co)polymers or salts thereof} - B32B 17/10761: {containing vinyl acetal} - B32B 17/1077: {containing polyurethane} - B32B 17/10788: {containing ethylene vinylacetate} - E06B 3/66304: {Discrete spacing elements, e.g. for evacuated glazing units} - E06B 3/66309: {Section members positioned at the edges of the glazing unit} - 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 1/1334: based on polymer dispersed liquid crystals, e.g. microencapsulated liquid crystals - G02F 1/1343: Electrodes {(reflective electrodes G02F1/133553)} - G02F 1/13452: {Conductors connecting driver circuitry and terminals of panels} - G02F 1/153: Constructional details - G02F 1/155: Electrodes - E06B 2009/2464: {featuring transparency control by applying voltage, e.g. LCD, electrochromic panels} - G02F 2201/42: Arrangements for providing conduction through an insulating substrate - 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) - B32B: LAYERED PRODUCTS, i.e. PRODUCTS BUILT-UP OF STRATA OF FLAT OR NON-FLAT, e.g. CELLULAR OR HONEYCOMB, FORM - 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 ## 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 an offset pane arrangement. The structure may include first and second panes that contain an optically active material. The two panes may be sandwiched by two laminated outer panes. In some examples, the first and second panes are recessed relative to the laminated outer panes along their side edges to define recesses in which electrical connection features are positioned. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A privacy glazing structure comprising: a first pane of transparent material having an inner face and an outer face, the first pane of transparent material having a top edge, a bottom edge, a first side edge, and a second side edge; a second pane of transparent material having an inner face and an outer face, the second pane of transparent material having a top edge, a bottom edge, a first side edge, and a second side edge; a third pane of transparent material having a top edge, a bottom edge, a first side edge, and a second side edge; a fourth pane of transparent material having a top edge, a bottom edge, a first side edge, and a second side edge; a first laminate layer bonding the outer face of the first pane of transparent material to the third pane of transparent material; a second laminate layer bonding the out face of the second pane of transparent material to the fourth pane of transparent material; an electrically controllable optically active material positioned between the first pane of transparent material and the second pane of transparent material; a first electrode layer positioned over the inner face of the first pane of transparent material; a second electrode layer positioned over the inner face of the second pane of transparent material; wherein the first side edge of the first pane of transparent material is recessed relative to the first side edge of the third pane of transparent material and the first side edge of the fourth pane of transparent material, the second side edge of the second pane of transparent material is recessed relative to the second side edge of the third pane of transparent material and the second side edge of the fourth pane of transparent material, at least one of: a top recess is defined by at least one of the top edge of the first pane of transparent material and the top edge of the second pane of transparent material being recessed relative to the top edge of the third pane of transparent material and the top edge of the fourth pane of transparent material, and a bottom recess is defined by at least one of the bottom edge of the first pane of transparent material and the bottom edge of the second pane of transparent material being recessed relative to the bottom edge of the third pane of transparent material and the bottom edge of the fourth pane of transparent material, a first electrode is connected to the second electrode layer in a first recessed space defined, collectively, by the first side edge of the first pane of transparent material, the second pane of transparent material, and the third pane of transparent material, and a second electrode is connected to the first electrode layer in a second recessed space defined, collectively, by the second side edge of the second pane of transparent material, the first pane of transparent material, and the fourth pane of transparent material. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The structure of claim 1, further comprising a sash extending around a perimeter of the privacy glazing structure, wherein at least one of a setting block and a window hardware component is positioned on a bottom of the sash with a bottom edge of the privacy glazing structure defining a cutout in which the at least one of the setting block and window hardware component is received, the bottom edge of the privacy glazing structure resting on the at least one of the setting block and window hardware component within the sash. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The structure of claim 1, further comprising: a first section of electrical wiring electrically connected to the first electrode and extending through at least one of the first recessed space, the top recess, and the bottom recess before exiting the privacy glazing structure; and a second section of electrical wiring electrically connected to the second electrode and extending through at least one of the second recessed space, the top recess, and the bottom recess before exiting the privacy glazing structure. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The structure of claim 3, further comprising at least one hole is formed through at least one of the third pane of transparent material and the fourth pane of transparent material, wherein the first section of electrical wiring and the second section of electrical wiring exit the privacy glazing structure through the least one hole. ### Claim 5 (depends on 3) The structure of claim 3, further comprising a polymeric material filling the first recessed space and the second recessed space. ### Claim 6 (depends on 3) The structure of claim 3, wherein: the first section of electrical wiring extends through the first recessed space and the top recess; and a second section of electrical wiring extends through the top recess. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The structure of claim 1, comprising the top recess. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The structure of claim 1, comprising the top bottom recess. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The structure of claim 1, comprising both the top recess and the bottom recess. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The structure of claim 1, wherein: the first electrodes comprises an elongated body that wraps around the first side edge of the second pane of transparent material, and the second electrode comprises an elongated body that wraps around the second side edge of the first pane of transparent material. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The structure of claim 1, wherein the first and second electrodes are each formed of deposited solder material. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The structure of claim 11, further comprising a non-conductive overcoat layer deposited over each of the first and second electrode layers, wherein the deposited solder material penetrates the non-conductive overcoat layer. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) The structure of claim 1, wherein the first side edge of the second pane of transparent material is also recessed relative to the first side edge of the third pane of transparent material and the first side edge of the fourth pane of transparent material. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The structure of claim 13, wherein the first side edge of the first pane of transparent material is recessed relative to the first side edge of the second pane of transparent material. ### Claim 15 (depends on 1) The structure of claim 1, wherein: the second side edge of the first pane of transparent material is also recessed relative to the second side edge of the third pane of transparent material and the second side edge of the fourth pane of transparent material, and the second side edge of the second pane of transparent material is recessed relative to the second side edge of the first pane of transparent material. ### Claim 16 (depends on 1) The structure of claim 1, wherein: the first side edge of the third pane of transparent material is flush with the first side edge of the fourth pane of transparent material, and the second side edge of the third pane of transparent material is flush with the second side edge of the fourth pane of transparent material. ### Claim 17 (depends on 1) The structure of claim 1, wherein the top edge of the first pane of transparent material is recessed relative to the top edge of the third pane of transparent material, and the top edge of the second pane of transparent material is recessed relative to the top edge of the fourth pane of transparent material. ### Claim 18 (depends on 1) The structure of claim 1, further comprising: a fifth pane of transparent material generally parallel to the first, second, third, and fourth panes of transparent material, and a spacer positioned between the fifth pane of transparent material and the fourth pane of transparent material to define a between-pane space, the spacer sealing the between-pane space from gas exchange with a surrounding environment and holding the fourth pane of transparent material a separation distance from the fifth pane of transparent material. ### Claim 19 (depends on 1) The structure of claim 1, wherein the first pane of transparent material, the second pane of transparent material, the third pane of transparent material, and the fourth pane of transparent material each comprise float glass. ### Claim 20 (depends on 1) The structure of claim 1, wherein the first electrode layer and the second electrode layer each comprise a transparent conductive oxide coating.