# US 12,110,251 B2 · High spring force shutter for dynamic shade, and/or associated methods > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 12,110,251 B2 - Document ID: US12110251B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 17/232,406 - Filed: 2021-04-16 - Published: 2022-10-20 - Granted: 2024-10-08 - Earliest claimed: 2021-04-16 - Assignees: Guardian Glass, LLC - Applicants: Guardian Glass, LLC - Inventors: Jason Blush; Lindsay Horn; Rudolph H. Petrmichl; Joshua Finch - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US12110251B2 ## CPC - C03C 17/3649: {made of metals other than silver} - B32B 17/10045: {with at least one intermediate layer consisting of a glass sheet} - B32B 17/10495: {optoelectronic, i.e. optical valve} - C03C 17/06: with metals (C03C17/34, C03C17/44 take precedence) - C03C 17/34: with at least two coatings having different compositions (C03C17/44 takes precedence) - C03C 17/3639: {Multilayers containing at least two functional metal layers} - E06B 9/264: Combinations of lamellar blinds with roller shutters, screen windows, windows, or double panes; Lamellar blinds with special devices - E06B 9/40: Roller blinds (usable only as awnings E04F10/06) - B32B 7/12: using interposed adhesives or interposed materials with bonding properties - B32B 17/10: of synthetic resin - B32B 27/26: using curing agents - B32B 2419/00: Buildings or parts thereof - C03C 2217/94: Transparent conductive oxide layers [TCO] being part of a multilayer coating - E06B 2009/2447: {Parallel screens} - E06B 2009/2464: {featuring transparency control by applying voltage, e.g. LCD, electrochromic panels} - E06B 2009/2643: {Screens between double windows} - C03C: CHEMICAL COMPOSITION OF GLASSES, GLAZES OR VITREOUS ENAMELS; SURFACE TREATMENT OF GLASS; SURFACE TREATMENT OF FIBRES OR FILAMENTS MADE FROM GLASS, MINERALS OR SLAGS; JOINING GLASS TO GLASS OR OTHER MATERIALS - B32B: LAYERED PRODUCTS, i.e. PRODUCTS BUILT-UP OF STRATA OF FLAT OR NON-FLAT, e.g. CELLULAR OR HONEYCOMB, FORM - 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) ## Abstract Certain example embodiments relate to electric, potentially-driven shades usable with insulating glass (IG) units, IG units including such shades, and/or associated methods. In such a unit, a dynamic shade is located between the substrates defining the IG unit, and is movable between retracted and extended positions. The dynamic shade includes on-glass layers including a transparent conductor and an insulator or dielectric film, as well as a shutter. The shutter includes a resilient polymer-based layer and layers on opposing surfaces thereof. A first voltage is applied to the transparent conductors to cause the shutter to extend to a closed position. ## Claims ### Claim 1 An insulating glass (IG) unit, comprising: first and second substrates, each having interior and exterior major surfaces, the interior major surface of the first substrate facing the interior major surface of the second substrate; a spacer system helping to maintain the first and second substrates in substantially parallel spaced apart relation to one another and to define a gap therebetween; a dynamically controllable shade interposed between the first and second substrates, the shade including: a first conductive layer provided, directly or indirectly, on the interior major surface of the first substrate; a first dielectric layer provided, directly or indirectly, on the first conductive layer on a side thereof opposite the first substrate; and a shutter including a flexible substrate having a first modulus of elasticity, the flexible substrate including first and second sides and having a first thickness, the first side of the flexible substrate supporting a first layer stack comprising one or more layers and including at least a second conductive layer, the first layer stack having a second thickness and a second modulus of elasticity, the second side of the flexible substrate supporting a second layer stack comprising one or more layers, the second layer stack collectively having a third thickness and a third modulus of elasticity, the second modulus and the third modulus each being greater than the first modulus, the shutter being extendible from a shutter open position to a shutter closed position and being retractable from the shutter closed position to the shutter open position; and a control circuit configured to provide a voltage to create electrostatic forces that drive the flexible substrate to the shutter closed position, wherein the ratio of the lower of the second and third modulus and the first modulus is at least 10, and wherein (a) the lower of a product of the second modulus and the second thickness and a product of the third modulus and the third thickness, divided by (b) a product of the first modulus and the first thickness, is at least 0.2. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The IG unit of claim 1, wherein the second conductive layer comprises Mo and/or Al. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The IG unit of claim 1, wherein the first layer stack and the second layer stack each include a metal layer, the metal layer in the first layer stack being the second conductive layer. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The IG unit of claim 3, wherein the metal layers in the first and second layer stacks are the only layers therein. ### Claim 5 (depends on 3) The IG unit of claim 3, wherein the shutter has a spring force that is at least 25% higher than an arrangement having the first thickness doubled and lacking the metal layer in the second layer stack. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The IG unit of claim 1, wherein the flexible substrate comprises PEN. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The IG unit of claim 1, wherein a neutral axis along which there are no longitudinal stresses or strains is provided in a central area of the flexible substrate's cross-section. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The IG unit of claim 7, wherein the neutral axis is spaced no more than 20% from the center of the shutter's cross-section. ### Claim 9 An insulating glass (IG) unit, comprising: first and second substrates, each having interior and exterior major surfaces, the interior major surface of the first substrate facing the interior major surface of the second substrate; a spacer system helping to maintain the first and second substrates in substantially parallel spaced apart relation to one another and to define a gap therebetween; a dynamically controllable shade interposed between the first and second substrates, the shade including: a first conductive layer provided, directly or indirectly, on the interior major surface of the first substrate; a first dielectric layer provided, directly or indirectly, on the first conductive layer on a side thereof opposite the first substrate; and a shutter including a flexible substrate, the flexible substrate including first and second sides, the first side of the flexible substrate supporting a first polyimide layer and a second conductive layer sandwiched between the flexible substrate and the first polyimide layer, the second side of the flexible substrate supporting a second polyimide layer, the shutter being extendible from a shutter open position to a shutter closed position and being retractable from the shutter closed position to the shutter open position; and a control circuit configured to provide a voltage to create electrostatic forces that drive the flexible substrate to the shutter closed position. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The IG unit of claim 9, wherein the second conductive layer comprises Mo and/or Al. ### Claim 11 (depends on 9) The IG unit of claim 9, wherein the flexible substrate comprises PEN. ### Claim 12 (depends on 9) The IG unit of claim 9, wherein each of the first and second polyimide layers are doped for a desired coloration. ### Claim 13 (depends on 9) The IG unit of claim 9, wherein each of the first and second polyimide layers are wet-applied on the flexible substrate. ### Claim 14 (depends on 9) A method of making the IG unit of claim 9, the method comprising: having the first and second substrates, and providing the dynamically controllable shade on the first and/or second substrate. ### Claim 15 (depends on 9) A method of operating a dynamic shade in an insulating glass (IG) unit, the method comprising: having the IG unit of claim 9; providing the voltage to the control circuit to drive the flexible substrate to the shutter closed position; and causing the flexible substrate to return to the shutter open position. ### Claim 16 A substrate, comprising: a dynamically controllable shade provided on the substrate, the shade including: a first conductive layer provided, directly or indirectly, on the substrate; a first dielectric layer provided, directly or indirectly, on the first conductive layer on a side thereof opposite the substrate; and a shutter including a flexible substrate having a first modulus of elasticity, the flexible substrate including first and second sides and having a first thickness, the first side of the flexible substrate supporting a first layer stack comprising one or more layers and including at least a second conductive layer, the first layer stack having a second thickness and a second modulus of elasticity, the second side of the flexible substrate supporting a second layer stack comprising one or more layers, the second layer stack collectively having a third thickness and a third modulus of elasticity, the second modulus and the third modulus each being greater than the first modulus, the shutter being extendible from a shutter open position to a shutter closed position and being retractable from the shutter closed position to the shutter open position, wherein the ratio of the lower of the second and third modulus and the first modulus is at least 10, and wherein (a) the lower of a product of the second modulus and the second thickness and a product of the third modulus and the third thickness, divided by (b) a product of the first modulus and the first thickness, is at least 0.2. ### Claim 17 A method of making an insulating glass (IG) unit, the method comprising: having first and second substrates, each having interior and exterior major surfaces, the interior major surface of the first substrate facing the interior major surface of the second substrate; providing a dynamically controllable shade on the first and/or second substrate, the shade including: a first conductive layer provided, directly or indirectly, on the interior major surface of the first substrate; a first dielectric layer provided, directly or indirectly, on the first conductive layer on a side thereof opposite the first substrate; and a shutter including a flexible substrate having a first modulus of elasticity, the flexible substrate including first and second sides and having a first thickness, the first side of the flexible substrate supporting a first layer stack comprising one or more layers and including at least a second conductive layer, the first layer stack having a second thickness and a second modulus of elasticity, the second side of the flexible substrate supporting a second layer stack comprising one or more layers, the second layer stack collectively having a third thickness and a third modulus of elasticity, the second modulus and the third modulus each being greater than the first modulus, the shutter being extendible from a shutter open position to a shutter closed position and being retractable from the shutter closed position to the shutter open position; connecting the first and second conductive layers to provide a voltage to create electrostatic forces that drive the flexible substrate to the shutter closed position; and connecting the first and second substrates to one another in substantially parallel, spaced apart relation, such that a gap is defined therebetween and such that the dynamically controllable shade is located in the gap, wherein the ratio of the lower of the second and third modulus and the first modulus is at least 10, and wherein (a) the lower of a product of the second modulus and the second thickness and a product of the third modulus and the third thickness, divided by (b) a product of the first modulus and the first thickness, is at least 0.2. ### Claim 18 (depends on 17) The method of claim 17, wherein the second conductive layer comprises Mo and/or Al. ### Claim 19 (depends on 17) The method of claim 17, wherein the first layer stack and the second layer stack each include a metal layer, the metal layer in the first layer stack being the second conductive layer. ### Claim 20 (depends on 17) The method of claim 17, wherein a neutral axis along which there are no longitudinal stresses or strains is provided in a central area of the flexible substrate's cross-section. ### Claim 21 (depends on 17) The method of claim 17, wherein the flexible substrate comprises PEN. ### Claim 22 (depends on 1) A method of operating a dynamic shade in an insulating glass (IG) unit, the method comprising: having the IG unit of claim 1; providing the voltage to the control circuit to drive the flexible substrate to the shutter closed position; and causing the flexible substrate to return to the shutter open position.