Seals for electrochromic windows
AssigneeView, Inc.
InventorsFabian Strong, Robin Friedman
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
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.
Claims31
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.
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.
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 least partially between the first and second lite, the strain relief structure comprising a body and a hole or pocket formed in the body, wherein at least one of the wires passes through the hole or pocket in the strain relief structure, and wherein the body and the hole or pocket of the strain relief structure are shaped to relieve a strain on the wires.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.