# US 2021/0240031 A1 · Electrical connection configurations for privacy glazing structures

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- Number: US 2021/0240031 A1
- Document ID: US20210240031A1
- Status: Published application
- Kind: A1
- Application number: 17/239,844
- Filed: 2021-04-26
- Published: 2021-08-05
- Earliest claimed: 2017-07-13
- Assignees: Cardinal IG Company
- Applicants: Cardinal IG Company
- Inventors: Eric Berner; Eric Bjergaard; Timothy Braun; Andrew DeMiglio; Chad Peters
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20210240031A1

## CPC

- G02F 1/133308: {Support structures for LCD panels, e.g. frames or bezels}
- B32B 17/10036: {comprising two outer glass sheets}
- B32B 17/10165: {Functional features of the laminated safety glass or glazing}
- B32B 17/10293: {Edge features, e.g. inserts or holes}
- B32B 17/10302: {Edge sealing}
- B32B 17/10467: {Variable transmission}
- B32B 17/10504: {Liquid crystal layer}
- B32B 17/10513: {Electrochromic layer}
- B32B 17/10532: {Suspended particle layer}
- E06B 3/6722: {with adjustable passage of light}
- 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 1/1333: Constructional arrangements; {Manufacturing methods}(G02F1/135, G02F1/136 take precedence)
- G02F 1/1343: Electrodes {(reflective electrodes G02F1/133553)}
- G02F 1/134309: {characterised by their geometrical arrangement}
- G02F 1/153: Constructional details
- E06B 2009/2464: {featuring transparency control by applying voltage, e.g. LCD, electrochromic panels}
- G02F 1/13306: {Circuit arrangements or driving methods for the control of single liquid crystal cells (G02F1/132, G02F1/133382 take precedence)}
- G02F 1/133302: {Rigid substrates, e.g. inorganic substrates}
- G02F 1/133322: {Mechanical guidance or alignment of LCD panel support components}
- G02F 1/133331: {Cover glasses}
- G02F 1/133354: {Arrangements for aligning or assembling substrates}
- G02F 1/133388: {with constructional differences between the display region and the peripheral region}
- G02F 1/1339: Gaskets; Spacers; Sealing of cells
- G02F 1/13775: {Polymer-stabilized liquid crystal layers}
- 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
- 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

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 electrode engagement regions. In some examples, the electrode engagement regions are formed as notches in peripheral edges of opposed panes bounding the optically active material. The notches may or may not overlap to provide a through conduit in the region of overlap for wiring. In either case, the notches may allow the remainder of the structure to have a flush edge surface for ease of downstream processing.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A privacy glazing structure comprising:
a first pane of transparent material having an inner face, an outer face, and a peripheral edge;
a second pane of transparent material having an inner face, an outer face, and a peripheral edge;
a first electrode layer on the inner face of the first pane of transparent material;
a second electrode layer on the inner face of the second pane of transparent material;
an electrically controllable optically active material positioned between the first electrode layer on the inner face of the first pane of transparent material and the second electrode layer on the inner face of the second pane of transparent material;
wherein the first pane of transparent material is generally parallel to the second pane of transparent material to form a cavity therebetween containing the electrically controllable optically active material, and the peripheral edge of the first pane of transparent material is aligned with the peripheral edge of the second pane of transparent material to provide a flush edge surface,
the first pane of transparent material defines a first notch providing access to the second electrode layer on the inner face of the second pane of transparent material, and
the second pane of transparent material defines a second notch providing access to the first electrode layer on the inner face of the first pane of transparent material.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The structure of claim 1, wherein the first notch extends from the peripheral edge of the first pane toward a center of the first pane a distance less than 12 mm, and the second notch extends from the peripheral edge of the second pane toward a center of the second pane a distance less than 12 mm.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The structure of claim 1, wherein the first notch and the second notch each have a size within a range from 50 square millimeters to 400 square millimeters.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The structure of claim 1, wherein the first notch and second notch have a length along the peripheral edge of the first pane and the peripheral edge of the second pane, respectively, greater than a width extending toward a center of the first pane and the second pane, respectively.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

The structure of claim 1, wherein:
the first notch extends through thicknesses of the first pane of transparent material, the first electrode layer, and the electrically controllable optically active material to provide access to the second electrode layer on the inner face of the second pane of transparent material from the outer face of the first pane; and
the second notch extends through thicknesses of the second pane of transparent material, the second electrode layer, and the electrically controllable optically active material to provide access to the first electrode layer on the inner face of the first pane of transparent material from the outer face of the second pane.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

The structure of claim 1, wherein the first pane of transparent material and the second pane of transparent material each have a polygonal shape having a plurality of sides, and the first notch and the second notch are on a same side of the plurality of sides.

### Claim 7 (depends on 1)

The structure of claim 1, wherein adjacent terminal edges of the first notch and the second notch are laterally offset from each other a distance ranging from 1 mm to 25 mm.

### Claim 8 (depends on 1)

The structure of claim 1, wherein the first notch overlaps the second notch to define a conduit extending through the first pane and the second pane.

### Claim 9 (depends on 8)

The structure of claim 8, further comprising wiring positioned in the conduit connecting the first electrode layer and the second electrode layer to a power source.

### Claim 10 (depends on 9)

The structure of claim 9, wherein:
the wiring comprises a first wire connected to the first electrode layer and a second wire connected to the second electrode layer,
the conduit has a first open end through the outer face of the first pane and a second open end through the outer face of the second pane, and
the first wire and the second wire both enter the conduit through the first open end of the conduit.

### Claim 11 (depends on 10)

The structure of claim 10, further comprising a first electrode attached to the first wire and a second electrode attached to the second wire.

### Claim 12 (depends on 11)

The structure of claim 11, wherein the first electrode is bonded to the first electrode layer and the second electrode is bonded to the second electrode layer.

### Claim 13 (depends on 8)

The structure of claim 8, wherein the conduit has a size ranging from 2 square millimeters to 25 square millimeters.

### Claim 14 (depends on 1)

The structure of claim 1, wherein the first notch and the second notch each have a curved shape extending from the peripheral edge of the first pane and the peripheral edge of the second pane, respectively, toward a center of the first pane and the second pane, respectively.

### Claim 15 (depends on 14)

The structure of claim 14, wherein the curved shape comprises a semi-circle having a radius of curvature less than 3 mm.

### Claim 16 (depends on 1)

The structure of claim 1, wherein the first pane of transparent material and the second pane of transparent material each have a polygonal shape having a plurality of sides joined at corners, and a distance between a terminal edge of the first notch adjacent a nearest corner and a terminal edge of the second notch adjacent a nearest corner is at least 75 millimeters.

### Claim 17 (depends on 1)

The structure of claim 1, wherein the first notch and the second notch are defined by wall surfaces of the first pane and second pane, respectively, that slope at a non-zero degree angle from the outer face to the inner face.

### Claim 18 (depends on 1)

The structure of claim 1, further comprising a first cover material filling the first notch and a second cover material filling the second notch.

### Claim 19 (depends on 18)

The structure of claim 18, wherein the first cover material and the second cover material are each elected from the group consisting of a polymeric sealant, a polymeric film a rigid plate, and combinations thereof.

### Claim 20 (depends on 19)

The structure of claim 19, wherein the first cover material and the second cover material each comprise a rigid plate formed for glass having a footprint mirroring the first notch and the second notch, respectively.