# US 2018/0024408 A1 · Seals for electrochromic windows > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2018/0024408 A1 - Document ID: US20180024408A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 15/535,681 - Filed: 2015-12-10 - Published: 2018-01-25 - Earliest claimed: 2014-12-15 - Assignees: View, Inc. - Applicants: View, Inc. - Inventors: Fabian Strong; Robin Friedman - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20180024408A1 ## CPC - E06B 3/66342: {characterised by their sealed connection to the panes} - E06B 3/66352: {with separate sealing strips between the panes and the spacer} - E06B 3/6722: {with adjustable passage of light} - E06B 3/67326: {Assembling spacer elements with the panes} - 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 1/153: Constructional details - G02F 1/161: Gaskets; Spacers; Sealing of cells; Filling or closing of cells - E06B 2009/2464: {featuring transparency control by applying voltage, e.g. LCD, electrochromic panels} - G02F 2201/503: Arrangements improving the resistance to shock - 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) - 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 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. ## Claims ### 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. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) 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. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) 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. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the strain relief structure has a width that is between about 0.5-1.5 inches. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the strain relief structure has a thickness between about 0.1-0.3 inches. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the strain relief structure is integral with a cable and/or cable sheath. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the strain relief structure comprises electrical connections for directly connecting to the wires. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the strain relief structure comprises a surface that has been roughened or otherwise texturized. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, further comprising applying tape to the periphery of the spacer. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) 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. ### Claim 11 (depends on 9) 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. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) 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. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) 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. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) 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. ### Claim 15 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the wires are coated with an insulating material that is compatible with material used for the secondary seal. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) 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. ### Claim 17 (depends on 15) 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. ### Claim 18 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the strain relief structure comprises a material that is compatible with material used for the secondary seal. ### Claim 19 (depends on 18) 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. ### Claim 20 (depends on 18) 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. ### Claim 21 (depends on 18) 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. ### Claim 22 (depends on 9) 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. ### Claim 23 (depends on 22) The method of claim 22, wherein the exterior-facing surface of the tape is roughened or otherwise texturized. ### Claim 24 (depends on 1) 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. ### Claim 25 (depends on 1) 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. ### Claim 26 (depends on 1) 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. ### Claim 27 (depends on 1) 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. ### Claim 28 (depends on 27) 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. ### Claim 29 (depends on 27) 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. ### Claim 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. ### Claim 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 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.