U.S. patent application number 14/211267 was filed with the patent office on 2014-09-18 for glazing units with cartridge-based control units.
This patent application is currently assigned to Andersen Corporation. The applicant listed for this patent is Andersen Corporation. Invention is credited to David D. Plummer.
Application Number | 20140259931 14/211267 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 51520847 |
Filed Date | 2014-09-18 |
United States Patent
Application |
20140259931 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Plummer; David D. |
September 18, 2014 |
GLAZING UNITS WITH CARTRIDGE-BASED CONTROL UNITS
Abstract
Glazing units including a cartridge cavity outside of a seal
that is located between the first and second panes to form a closed
interior volume within the glazing unit are described herein, along
with sashes, panels, window assemblies, and/or doors that may
incorporate the glazing units. A control unit provided in a
cartridge housing located in the cartridge cavity may be operably
connected to one or more connected devices to provide any number of
a variety of functions such as, e.g., sound control/production,
optical effects, thermal effects, etc.
Inventors: |
Plummer; David D.; (Hudson,
WI) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Andersen Corporation |
Bayport |
MN |
US |
|
|
Assignee: |
Andersen Corporation
Bayport
MN
|
Family ID: |
51520847 |
Appl. No.: |
14/211267 |
Filed: |
March 14, 2014 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
61789465 |
Mar 15, 2013 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
49/70 ;
361/679.01 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G08C 17/02 20130101;
E06B 7/28 20130101; E06B 3/66 20130101; Y02E 10/50 20130101; E06B
2009/247 20130101; E06B 9/24 20130101; E06B 3/67 20130101; E06B
3/66309 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
49/70 ;
361/679.01 |
International
Class: |
H05K 7/14 20060101
H05K007/14; E06B 7/28 20060101 E06B007/28 |
Claims
1. A glazing unit comprising: a first pane comprising an interior
surface and an exterior surface along with a perimeter that
comprises a cavity edge and a glazing unit edge; a second pane
comprising an interior surface facing the interior surface of the
first pane and an exterior surface facing away from the first pane,
the second pane further comprising a perimeter that comprises a
cavity edge and a glazing unit edge; a seal located between the
first pane and the second pane, wherein the seal defines a closed
interior volume located between the first pane and the second pane;
a cartridge cavity located outside of the seal between the cavity
edge of the first pane and the seal, wherein the cartridge cavity
is located adjacent the interior surface of the first pane between
the cavity edge of the first pane and the seal, and wherein the
cartridge cavity comprises a first setback distance measured
between the seal and the cavity edge of the first pane, and further
wherein a second setback distance measured between the seal and the
glazing unit edge of the first pane is less than the first setback
distance; a control unit contained in a cartridge housing located
within the cartridge cavity; and at least one connected device
operably connected to the control unit.
2. A glazing unit according to claim 1, wherein the seal is
positioned along the glazing unit edges of the first pane and the
second pane.
3. A glazing unit according to claim 1, wherein the cavity edge of
the second pane extends past the seal such that at least a portion
of the cartridge cavity comprises a slot formed between the
interior surface of the first pane and the interior surface of the
second pane outside of the seal.
4. A glazing unit according to claim 3, wherein the cavity edge of
the second pane extends past the seal by the first setback
distance.
5. A glazing unit according to claim 3, wherein the cavity edge of
the second pane extends past the seal by a third setback distance
that is less than the first setback distance and greater than the
second setback distance.
6. A glazing unit according to claim 1, wherein the at least one
connected device is attached to the glazing unit.
7. A glazing unit according to claim 6, wherein the at least one
connected device is located within the cartridge housing.
8. A glazing unit according to claim 6, wherein the at least one
connected device is attached to the first pane and/or the second
pane.
9. A glazing unit according to claim 6, wherein the at least one
connected device is located within the closed interior volume
located between the first pane and the second pane.
10. A glazing unit according to claim 1, wherein the at least one
connected device is configured to deliver electrical energy to the
control unit and/or receive electrical energy from the control
unit.
11. A glazing unit according to claim 1, wherein the control unit
comprises a capacitive touch control positioned against the
interior surface of one of the first pane or the second pane,
wherein the capacitive touch control is configured to be operated
by touching the exterior surface of the first pane or the second
pane proximate the capacitive touch control.
12. A glazing unit according to claim 11, wherein the capacitive
touch control is located on the cartridge housing.
13. A glazing unit according to claim 1, wherein the control unit
comprises a wireless communication module configured to send and/or
receive instructions to operate the control unit from a remote
device.
14. A glazing unit according to claim 1, wherein the glazing unit
further comprises a solar collector configured to convert solar
energy to electrical energy and deliver that electrical energy to
the control unit, wherein the solar collector is located in the
cartridge cavity.
15. A window assembly or door comprising: a sash defining an inner
perimeter; a glazing unit mounted in the sash, wherein a hidden
portion of the glazing unit is hidden from view because it is
contained within the sash outside of the inner perimeter, and
wherein the glazing unit comprises a viewable portion located
within the inner perimeter of the sash, and wherein the glazing
unit further comprises: a first pane comprising an interior surface
and an exterior surface along with a perimeter that comprises a
cavity edge and a glazing unit edge; a second pane comprising an
interior surface facing the interior surface of the first pane and
an exterior surface facing away from the first pane, the second
pane further comprising a perimeter that comprises a cavity edge
and a glazing unit edge; a seal located between the first pane and
the second pane, wherein the seal defines a closed interior volume
located between the first pane and the second pane; a cartridge
cavity located outside of the seal between the cavity edge of the
first pane and the seal, wherein the cartridge cavity is located
adjacent the interior surface of the first pane between the cavity
edge of the first pane and the seal, and further wherein at least a
portion of the cartridge cavity is located in the viewable portion
of the glazing unit; a control unit contained in a cartridge
housing located within the cartridge cavity, wherein at least a
portion of the cartridge housing is located in the viewable portion
of the glazing unit; and at least one connected device operably
connected to the control unit.
16. A window assembly or door according to claim 15, wherein the
seal is positioned along the glazing unit edges of the first pane
and the second pane.
17. A window assembly or door according to claim 15, wherein the
cartridge cavity comprises a first setback distance measured
between the seal and the cavity edge of the first pane, and further
wherein a second setback distance measured between the seal and the
glazing unit edge of the first pane is less than the first setback
distance.
18. A window assembly or door according to claim 17, wherein the
cavity edge of the second pane extends past the seal such that at
least a portion of the cartridge cavity comprises a slot formed
between the interior surface of the first pane and the interior
surface of the second pane outside of the seal.
19. A window assembly or door according to claim 17, wherein the
cavity edge of the second pane extends past the seal by the first
setback distance.
20. A window assembly or door according to claim 17, wherein the
cavity edge of the second pane extends past the seal by a third
setback distance that is less than the first setback distance and
greater than the second setback distance.
21. A window assembly or door according to claim 15, wherein the at
least one connected device is attached to the window assembly.
22. A window assembly or door according to claim 21, wherein the at
least one connected device is located within the cartridge
housing.
23. A window assembly or door according to claim 21, wherein the at
least one connected device is attached to the first pane and/or the
second pane of the glazing unit.
24. A window assembly or door according to claim 21, wherein the at
least one connected device is located within the closed interior
volume located between the first pane and the second pane.
25. A window assembly or door according to claim 15, wherein the
control unit comprises a capacitive touch control positioned
against the interior surface of one of the first pane or the second
pane, wherein the capacitive touch control is configured to be
operated by touching the exterior surface of the first pane or the
second pane proximate the capacitive touch control.
26. A window assembly or door according to claim 25, wherein the
capacitive touch control is located on the cartridge housing.
27. A window assembly or door according to claim 15, wherein the
control unit comprises a wireless communication module configured
to send and/or receive instructions to operate the control unit
from a remote device.
28. A window assembly or door according to claim 15, wherein the
glazing unit further comprises a solar collector configured to
convert solar energy to electrical energy and deliver that
electrical energy to the control unit, wherein the solar collector
is located in the cartridge cavity and the viewable portion of the
glazing unit.
29. A window assembly or door according to claim 15, wherein the at
least one connected device is configured to deliver electrical
energy to the control unit and/or receive electrical energy from
the control unit.
Description
RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C.
.sctn.119 of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/789,465
filed on Mar. 15, 2013 and titled GLAZING UNITS WITH
CARTRIDGE-BASED CONTROL UNITS, which is incorporated herein by
reference in its entirety.
[0002] Glazing units with cartridge-based control units located
within cartridge cavities in the glazing units, along with sashes,
panels, window assemblies and/or doors incorporating the glazing
units are described herein.
[0003] A wide variety of devices are used in connection with
building structures to provide functions such as, e.g., detection
and/or emission of sound and/or light, detection of environmental
characteristics such as temperature and humidity, security status,
etc. Such devices typically require connection to one or more
control units and placement of those control units can be
challenging depending on the location of the devices, particularly
when the devices may be associated with a glazing unit.
SUMMARY
[0004] Glazing units with cartridge-based control units located in
cartridge cavities in the glazing units along with sashes, panels,
window assemblies and/or doors incorporating the glazing units are
described herein. In one or more embodiments, one or more connected
devices may be operably connected to the control unit in the
cartridge cavity. By providing a cartridge-based control unit and
one or more connected devices operably connected to the control
unit, the glazing units described herein may provide functions not
typically associated with glazing units and may do so in the
absence of physical connections to other components not attached to
the glazing unit.
[0005] The glazing units described herein include, in one or more
embodiments, a cartridge cavity that is formed along at least a
portion of the perimeter of a glazing unit and outside of a seal
that is located between the panes of the glazing unit to form a
closed interior volume within the glazing unit. In conventional
glazing units, the seal separating the panes of the glazing unit
(and forming the interior cavity of the glazing unit) are all
located at the perimeter of the glazing unit. The glazing units
described herein, however, include a cartridge cavity formed by one
or more panes that extend beyond the seal along at least a portion
of the outer perimeter of the glazing unit, i.e., the seal is
setback from the edge of one or more of the panes by a setback
distance that defines the cartridge cavities formed in the glazing
units. In one or more embodiments, the cartridge cavities described
herein may be in the form of a slot formed between the interior
surfaces of two panes in the glazing unit.
[0006] In one or more embodiments, the control units may be
provided in cartridge housings that are located in the cartridge
cavities of glazing units as described herein. Providing a
cartridge housing in the cartridge cavity may allow for, in one or
more embodiments, replacement and/or repair of the control unit
without compromising the integrity of the seal used to form a
closed interior volume within the glazing unit.
[0007] One or more connected devices may be operably connected to
the control units in the cartridge cavities. The one or more
connected devices may, in one or more embodiments, be configured to
deliver electrical energy to the control unit and/or receive
electrical energy from the control unit. Examples of some
potentially suitable connected devices may include, but are not
limited to: electro-acoustic transducers (e.g., speakers,
microphones, etc.), ultrasonic and/or infrasonic
emitters/detectors, electro-optical transducers, environmental
sensors (for, e.g., sensing one or more environmental
characteristics such as temperature, humidity, light intensity, air
pressure, etc.), thermal devices (e.g., resistance heating
elements, etc.), electro-optical transducers (e.g., devices
configured to control the passage of light through a window
assembly, display information and/or images, etc.), security
devices (e.g., lock status sensors (e.g., such as those described
in U.S. Pat. No. 8,269,627 to Gore et al.), motion sensors, glass
breakage sensors, position sensors, etc.), etc.
[0008] The one or more connected devices as described herein may be
operably connected to a control unit in a cartridge housing located
in the cartridge cavity by one or more of the following
connections: physical connectors (e.g., wires, conductive traces,
conductive pins, etc.), optically (using, e.g., infrared light,
etc.), through one or more wireless communication protocols (e.g.,
Bluetooth, ZigBee, a wireless local area network (WLAN), etc.),
etc. In one or more embodiments, the one or more connected devices
may be operably connected to the control unit in a connection that
is configured to deliver electrical energy to a control unit and/or
receive electrical energy from a control unit.
[0009] In one or more embodiments, the one or more connected
devices may be attached to and/or contained within the glazing
unit. In one or more embodiments, the one or more connected devices
may be attached to and/or contained within a sash, panel, window
assembly, and/or door containing the glazing unit (with the sash,
panel, window assembly, and/or door being used in an interior or
exterior location). In one or more embodiments, the one or more
connected devices may be attached to and/or contained within the
cartridge housing that also contains the control unit.
[0010] In one or more embodiments in which two or more connected
devices are used with a glazing unit, two or more of the connected
devices may be of the same type (e.g., the two or more connected
devices used in connection with a glazing unit may perform the same
function). In one or more alternative embodiments in which two or
more connected devices are used with a glazing unit, two or more of
the connected devices may be of different types (e.g., one
connected device may perform a first function and another connected
device may perform a second (different) function).
[0011] In one aspect, one or more embodiments of the glazing units
described herein may include a first pane comprising an interior
surface and an exterior surface along with a perimeter that
comprises a cavity edge and a glazing unit edge; a second pane
comprising an interior surface facing the interior surface of the
first pane and an exterior surface facing away from the first pane,
the second pane further comprising a perimeter that comprises a
cavity edge and a glazing unit edge; a seal located between the
first pane and the second pane, wherein the seal defines a closed
interior volume located between the first pane and the second pane;
a cartridge cavity located outside of the seal between the cavity
edge of the first pane and the seal, wherein the cartridge cavity
is located adjacent the interior surface of the first pane between
the cavity edge of the first pane and the seal, and wherein the
cartridge cavity comprises a first setback distance measured
between the seal and the cavity edge of the first pane, and further
wherein a second setback distance measured between the seal and the
glazing unit edge of the first pane is less than the first setback
distance; a control unit contained in a cartridge housing located
within the cartridge cavity; and at least one connected device
operably connected to the control unit.
[0012] In one or more embodiments of the glazing units described
herein, the seal is positioned along the glazing unit edges of the
first pane and the second pane.
[0013] In one or more embodiments of the glazing units described
herein, the cavity edge of the second pane extends past the seal
such that at least a portion of the cartridge cavity comprises a
slot formed between the interior surface of the first pane and the
interior surface of the second pane outside of the seal. In one or
more embodiments, the cavity edge of the second pane extends past
the seal by the first setback distance. In one or more embodiments,
the cavity edge of the second pane extends past the seal by a third
setback distance that is less than the first setback distance and
greater than the second setback distance.
[0014] In one or more embodiments of the glazing units described
herein, the at least one connected device is attached to the
glazing unit.
[0015] In one or more embodiments of the glazing units described
herein, the at least one connected device is located within the
cartridge housing.
[0016] In one or more embodiments of the glazing units described
herein, the at least one connected device is attached to the first
pane and/or the second pane.
[0017] In one or more embodiments of the glazing units described
herein, the at least one connected device is located within the
closed interior volume located between the first pane and the
second pane.
[0018] In one or more embodiments of the glazing units described
herein, the at least one connected device is configured to deliver
electrical energy to the control unit and/or receive electrical
energy from the control unit.
[0019] In one or more embodiments of the glazing units described
herein, the control unit comprises a capacitive touch control
positioned against the interior surface of one of the first pane or
the second pane, wherein the capacitive touch control is configured
to be operated by touching the exterior surface of the first pane
or the second pane proximate the capacitive touch control. In one
or more embodiments, the capacitive touch control is located on the
cartridge housing.
[0020] In one or more embodiments of the glazing units described
herein, the control unit comprises a wireless communication module
configured to send and/or receive instructions to operate the
control unit from a remote device.
[0021] In one or more embodiments of the glazing units described
herein, the glazing unit further comprises a solar collector
configured to convert solar energy to electrical energy and deliver
that electrical energy to the control unit, wherein the solar
collector is located in the cartridge cavity.
[0022] In a second aspect, one or more embodiments of a window
assembly or door as described herein may include: a sash defining
an inner perimeter; and a glazing unit mounted in the sash, wherein
a hidden portion of the glazing unit is hidden from view because it
is contained within the sash outside of the inner perimeter, and
wherein the glazing unit comprises a viewable portion located
within the inner perimeter of the sash. The glazing unit further
comprises: a first pane comprising an interior surface and an
exterior surface along with a perimeter that comprises a cavity
edge and a glazing unit edge; a second pane comprising an interior
surface facing the interior surface of the first pane and an
exterior surface facing away from the first pane, the second pane
further comprising a perimeter that comprises a cavity edge and a
glazing unit edge; a seal located between the first pane and the
second pane, wherein the seal defines a closed interior volume
located between the first pane and the second pane; a cartridge
cavity located outside of the seal between the cavity edge of the
first pane and the seal, wherein the cartridge cavity is located
adjacent the interior surface of the first pane between the cavity
edge of the first pane and the seal, and further wherein at least a
portion of the cartridge cavity is located in the viewable portion
of the glazing unit; a control unit contained in a cartridge
housing located within the cartridge cavity, wherein at least a
portion of the cartridge housing is located in the viewable portion
of the glazing unit; and at least one connected device operably
connected to the control unit.
[0023] In one or more embodiments of a window assembly or door as
described herein, the seal is positioned along the glazing unit
edges of the first pane and the second pane.
[0024] In one or more embodiments of a window assembly or door as
described herein, the cartridge cavity comprises a first setback
distance measured between the seal and the cavity edge of the first
pane, and further wherein a second setback distance measured
between the seal and the glazing unit edge of the first pane is
less than the first setback distance. In one or more embodiments,
the cavity edge of the second pane extends past the seal such that
at least a portion of the cartridge cavity comprises a slot formed
between the interior surface of the first pane and the interior
surface of the second pane outside of the seal. In one or more
embodiments, the cavity edge of the second pane extends past the
seal by the first setback distance. In one or more embodiments, the
cavity edge of the second pane extends past the seal by a third
setback distance that is less than the first setback distance and
greater than the second setback distance.
[0025] In one or more embodiments of a window assembly or door as
described herein, the at least one connected device is attached to
the window assembly.
[0026] In one or more embodiments of a window assembly or door as
described herein, the at least one connected device is located
within the cartridge housing.
[0027] In one or more embodiments of a window assembly or door as
described herein, the at least one connected device is attached to
the first pane and/or the second pane of the glazing unit.
[0028] In one or more embodiments of a window assembly or door as
described herein, the at least one connected device is located
within the closed interior volume located between the first pane
and the second pane.
[0029] In one or more embodiments of a window assembly or door as
described herein, the control unit comprises a capacitive touch
control positioned against the interior surface of one of the first
pane or the second pane, wherein the capacitive touch control is
configured to be operated by touching the exterior surface of the
first pane or the second pane proximate the capacitive touch
control. In one or more embodiments, the capacitive touch control
is located on the cartridge housing.
[0030] In one or more embodiments of a window assembly or door as
described herein, the control unit comprises a wireless
communication module configured to send and/or receive instructions
to operate the control unit from a remote device.
[0031] In one or more embodiments of a window assembly or door as
described herein, the glazing unit further comprises a solar
collector configured to convert solar energy to electrical energy
and deliver that electrical energy to the control unit, wherein the
solar collector is located in the cartridge cavity and the viewable
portion of the glazing unit.
[0032] In one or more embodiments of a window assembly or door as
described herein, the at least one connected device is configured
to deliver electrical energy to the control unit and/or receive
electrical energy from the control unit.
[0033] The above summary is not intended to describe every
embodiment of the glazing units described herein. Rather, a more
complete understanding of the invention will become apparent and
appreciated by reference to the following Description of
Illustrative Embodiments and claims in view of the accompanying
figures of the drawing.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE VIEWS OF THE DRAWING
[0034] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of one illustrative embodiment
of a glazing unit as described herein.
[0035] FIG. 2A is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a portion of
the glazing unit of FIG. 1 taken along line 2A-2A in FIG. 1.
[0036] FIG. 2B is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a portion of
the glazing unit of FIG. 1 taken along line 2B-2B in FIG. 1.
[0037] FIG. 3 depicts the glazing unit of FIG. 1 in a sash of a
window assembly.
[0038] FIG. 4 includes partially exploded left and right side
perspective views of one illustrative embodiment of a glazing unit
and control unit located in a cartridge housing as described
herein.
[0039] FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional perspective view of another
illustrative embodiment of a glazing unit as described herein
incorporated into a sash of a window assembly as described
herein.
[0040] FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional perspective view of another
illustrative embodiment of a glazing unit as described herein
incorporated into a sash of a window assembly as described
herein.
[0041] FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional perspective view of another
illustrative embodiment of a glazing unit in a sash as described
herein.
DESCRIPTION OF ILLUSTRATIVE EMBODIMENTS
[0042] In the following description of illustrative embodiments,
reference is made to the accompanying figures of the drawing which
form a part hereof, and in which are shown, by way of illustration,
specific embodiments. It is to be understood that other embodiments
may be utilized and structural changes may be made without
departing from the scope of the present invention.
[0043] A perspective view of one illustrative embodiment of a
glazing unit 10 is depicted in FIG. 1, the glazing unit including a
cavity edge 12, a glazing unit edge 14, a third edge 16, and fourth
edge 18. The glazing unit 10 includes a first pane 20 and a second
pane 30. Although the illustrative embodiment of glazing unit 10
includes only two panes, one or more alternative embodiments of the
glazing units described herein may include one or more additional
panes. Cartridge cavities formed in one or more embodiments of
glazing units as described herein may be formed outside of any two
panes separated by at least one seal, with the two panes located
anywhere within a glazing unit that includes three or more panes
(e.g., outside of one or more seals located between the outermost
panes in a glazing unit having three or more panes, outside of a
seal located between any intermediate pane and an outermost pane in
a glazing unit having three or more panes, outside of a seal
located between any pair of intermediate panes in a glazing unit
having four or more panes, etc.). The use of two or more panes of
glass used to form a glazing unit using a seal located between the
two or more panes is well-known and specific details regarding
construction of such glazing units will not be described in further
detail herein.
[0044] The first pane 20 and the second pane 30 are separated from
each other by a seal 40 located between the first pane 20 and the
second pane 30. The seal 40 defines a closed interior volume 41
between the first pane 20 and the second pane 30. The closed
interior volume 41 may be filled with one or more selected gases at
a selected pressure depending on the particular construction of the
glazing unit 10. Specific details with respect to the seal 40 and
contents and/or pressure of the interior volume 41 of the glazing
unit 10 will not be further described herein.
[0045] The first pane 20 and the second pane 30 may be constructed
of any glass, polymeric material, and combinations of one or more
glasses and/or polymeric materials that are suitable for use in
glazing units 10. With reference to FIG. 2, the first pane 20
includes an interior surface 21 facing the second pane 30 and an
exterior surface 23 facing away from the second pane 30 while the
second pane 30 includes an interior surface 31 facing the first
pane 20 and the exterior surface 33 facing away from the first pane
20. As a result, the interior surfaces 21 and 31 of, respectively,
the first pane 20 and the second pane 30 face the seal 40.
[0046] The first pane 20 has a perimeter that, in the depicted
embodiment, includes a cavity edge 22 and a glazing unit edge 24.
Similar to the first pane 20, the second pane 30 has a perimeter
that, in the depicted embodiment, includes a cavity edge 32 and a
glazing unit edge 34. In the illustrative embodiment depicted in
FIG. 1, glazing unit 10 has a rectilinear shape (as do the first
pane 20 and the second pane 30), although it should be understood
that the glazing unit 10 (and the panes used to form it) may have
any shape that is suitable for a window assembly in a building
structure. Examples of some potentially suitable different shapes
for glazing units as described herein may include, but are not
limited to: triangular, pentagonal, hexagonal, semicircular,
etc.
[0047] The seal 40 includes, in the depicted embodiment, a first
side member 42, second side member 44, third side member 46, and
fourth side member 48 to define the shape of the closed interior
volume 41 as described herein. In one or more embodiments of the
glazing units described herein, the panes used in the glazing units
may have an equal number of cavity edges and glazing unit edges. In
the glazing units described herein, the number of frame members in
a frame located between the panes of the glazing unit may, in one
or more embodiments, be equal to the number of cavity edges and
glazing unit edges of the panes in the glazing unit.
[0048] In the illustrative embodiment of glazing unit 10, the first
side member 42 of the seal 40 is set back from the cavity edges 22
and 32 of the first and second panes 20 and 30 as seen in both
FIGS. 1 and 2A. Because the first side member 42 of the seal 40 is
set back from the cavity edges 22 and 32 of the first and second
panes 20 and 30, a cartridge cavity 50 is formed between the first
pane 20 and the second pane 30. That cartridge cavity 50 can be
used to contain a cartridge housing having a control unit located
therein. The other edges of the panes 20 and 30 are described
herein as glazing unit edges (see, e.g., edges 24 and 34). In one
or more embodiments, the members of the seal 40 are essentially
flush with the glazing unit edges of the panes 20 and 30 as seen
in, e.g., conventional glazing units (and as described in more
detail herein).
[0049] In one or more embodiments, such as the illustrative
embodiment depicted in FIGS. 1 and 2A, the cartridge cavity 50 may
be in the form of a slot formed between the interior surfaces 21
and 31 of panes 20 and 30 (respectively) in the glazing unit 10.
The cartridge cavity 50 of the glazing unit 10 can, therefore, be
described as having a first setback distance (D1) measured between
the seal 40 (which, in FIG. 2A is the first side member 42) and the
cavity edges 22 and 32 of the first and second panes 20 and 30. As
described herein, the cartridge cavity 50 may contain at least a
portion of a cartridge housing containing a control unit in the
glazing units described herein.
[0050] Referring to the cross-sectional view of FIG. 2B, the
construction of the glazing unit 10 along the glazing unit edges 24
and 34 of the first pane 20 and the second pane 30, respectively,
is depicted. As seen in FIG. 2B, the second side member 44 of seal
40 is, in large part, flush with the glazing unit edge 24 of the
first pane 20 and the glazing unit edge 34 of the second pane 30.
As a result, the glazing unit 10 can be described as having a
second setback distance measured between the seal 40 (which, in
FIG. 2B is the second side member 44) that is less than first
setback distance D1 measured between the seal 40 and the cavity
edges 22 and 32 of the first and second panes 20 and 30. In the
embodiment depicted in FIG. 2B, the second setback distance is
essentially zero, i.e., the outer surface of the seal 40 (in the
form of second side member 44) is basically flush with the edges 24
and 34 of the first and second panes 20 and 30 (as is typical in
conventional glazing units).
[0051] Although the illustrative embodiment of glazing unit 10
includes only one cartridge cavity 50, in one or more alternative
embodiments of glazing units as described herein, cartridge
cavities may be provided along two or more edges of the glazing
units (with each of the cartridge cavities formed proximate cavity
edges of the panes in the glazing unit). Typically, however, one or
more edges of the glazing units described herein may not have a
setback capable of forming a cartridge cavity and/or contain a
control unit in a cartridge housing as described herein.
[0052] Another feature depicted in the cross-sectional views of
FIGS. 2A and 2B that may be provided in connection with one or more
embodiments of the glazing units described herein is a connected
device 90 that may be provided on the interior surface 21 of the
first pane 20. Although only one connected device 90 is depicted,
one or more alternate embodiments of the glazing units described
herein may include any selected number of connected devices. Also,
although depicted on the interior surface 21 of the first pane 20,
it should be understood that the glazing units described herein
could also include one or more on the exterior surface 23 of the
first pane 20 and/or on the second pane 30 (where the connected
devices could be located on the interior surface 31 and/or the
exterior surface 33). As discussed herein, potentially suitable
connected devices may include, but are not limited to:
electro-acoustic transducers, ultrasonic and/or infrasonic
emitters/detectors, electro-optical transducers, environmental
sensors, thermal devices, electro-optical transducers, security
devices, etc.
[0053] One potential class of connected devices that may be used in
connection with the glazing units described herein may be described
as transducers. As used herein, a transducer is a connected device
that is operably connected to a control unit and is configured to
perform one or more of a variety of functions such as, e.g., noise
control (e.g., noise cancellation), sound production (e.g.,
speakers), optical effects (e.g., controlling the passage of light,
operating to display information and/or images, etc.), thermal
effects (e.g., heating one or more panes of a glazing unit, acting
as a temperature sensor, etc.), sensing or emitting vibrations
outside of the frequency ranges normally associated with sound
audible to the human ear, etc. One or more embodiments of the
transducers used in the glazing units described herein may be
configured to convert electrical energy into one or more other
forms of energy (e.g., acoustic energy, light, thermal energy,
vibration, etc.) or vice versa, i.e., convert one or more forms of
non-electrical energy (e.g., acoustic energy, light, thermal
energy, vibration, etc.) into electrical energy.
[0054] As used in connection with the glazing units described
herein, the connected devices may, in one or more embodiments, be
described as electro-optical devices that are configured to control
the transmission of light through the glazing unit and/or display
information, images, colors, patterns, pictures, any visual
display, etc. To accomplish those functions, electro-optical
connected devices used in the glazing units and window assemblies
described herein may take any of a number of different forms, for
example, liquid crystal displays, electronic ink (sometimes
referred to as "E-ink"), electroluminescent transducers, organic
light emitting diodes (OLED), TFT panels, electrochromic materials,
etc.
[0055] Furthermore, although the illustrative embodiment of a
connected device 90 as depicted in FIG. 2 is shown as a coating on
a pane of the glazing unit, in one or more embodiments, the
connected devices described herein may, in one or more embodiments,
be integrated into one or both of the panes used in a glazing unit
as described herein. In still other embodiments, the connected
devices may be located between the outermost panes in a glazing
unit as described herein (e.g., in the enclosed interior volume
located between the outermost panes of the glazing units). In still
other embodiments, one or more of the one or more connected devices
may be remote from the glazing unit, i.e., not physically attached
to the glazing unit at all (e.g., one or more connected devices may
be located on or in a sash, window assembly, and/or door
incorporating the glazing unit).
[0056] Referring to FIG. 3, the illustrative embodiment of a
glazing unit 10 is depicted within a sash 60 that may form a part
of a window assembly as described herein (and/or may form a part of
a door). The sash 60 has an inner perimeter 62 that defines a
viewable area in the sash, where the viewable area is, e.g., the
portion of a glazing unit in the sash that can be seen by an
observer looking through the sash 60. Because many of the features
of the glazing unit 10 will, in one or more embodiments, be outside
the viewable area defined by the inner perimeter 62 of the sash 60
and, as such, are hidden within the sash 60, they are depicted in
broken lines in FIG. 3. For example, the first side edge 12, second
side edge 14, third side edge 16, and fourth side edge 18 of the
glazing unit 10 are all depicted in broken lines in FIG. 3 because
they will typically be hidden from view outside of the viewable
area of the sash 60. Likewise, the second side member 44, third
side member 46 and fourth side member 48 of the seal 40 are also,
in the depicted embodiment, shown in broken lines in FIG. 3 because
they are outside of the viewable area.
[0057] As seen in the illustrative embodiment of the window
assembly depicted in FIG. 3, the glazing unit 10 includes a
cartridge cavity 50 as described above in connection with FIGS. 1,
2A, and 2B. In one or more embodiments, at least a portion of the
cartridge cavity 50 is located within the viewable portion of the
sash 60. In the illustrative embodiment depicted in FIG. 3, the
cartridge cavity 50 is located at the bottom of the sash 60, but in
other alternative embodiments the cartridge cavity 50 may be
provided along any edge of a glazing unit located within the sash
60. Further, in one or more alternative embodiments, cartridge
cavities may be provided along two or more edges of a glazing unit
located in a sash, window assembly, and/or door as described
herein.
[0058] Because at least a portion of the cartridge cavity 50 is
located in the viewable area defined by the inner perimeter 62 of
the sash 60, the first side seal member 42 of the seal 40 extends
through or across the viewable portion of the glazing unit 10 and
its outer edge 43 may, in one or more embodiments, be visible
within the viewable area.
[0059] FIG. 4 includes partially exploded left and right side
perspective cross-sectional views of another illustrative
embodiment of a glazing unit 110 as described herein including a
control unit 170 located in a cartridge housing 172 that is sized
to fit within the cartridge cavity 150 formed in the glazing unit
110. The glazing unit 110 includes a first pane 120 and a second
pane 130 that are spaced apart from each other by a seal 140 which
forms an enclosed interior volume 141 within the glazing unit 110.
As described herein, the glazing unit 110 includes a cartridge
cavity 150 formed between the first pane 120 and the second pane
130 because the seal 140 is setback from one edge of the glazing
unit 110 by a setback distance D1.
[0060] The cartridge cavity 150 may, in one or more embodiments,
include an opaque coating such as paint or other materials on one
or both of panes 120 and 130 to, e.g., limit the visibility of the
cartridge housing 172 of the control unit 170 that is located
within the cartridge cavity 150. That coating may, however, include
one or more apertures 173 that align with one or more controls 174
on the cartridge housing 172 of control unit 170. The controls 174
on the cartridge housing 172 of control unit 170 may be, in one or
more embodiments, in the form of capacitive touch controls such
that contact with the exterior surface of the first pane 120 in the
area of the capacitive touch controls 174 allow a user to control
the control unit 170 located within the glazing unit 110.
[0061] In one or more alternative embodiments, the control units
used in glazing units as described herein may include a wireless
communication module that is configured to send and/or receive
instructions to operate the control unit from a remote device. For
example, the remote device may be a conventional hand-held remote
control relying on, e.g., infrared light. In one or more
alternative embodiments, the control unit may be wirelessly
controlled using, e.g., a smart phone or other wireless control
device through any suitable wireless communication protocol
(including, but not limited to: Bluetooth, ZigBee, a wireless local
area network (WLAN), etc.).
[0062] Another optional feature depicted in the glazing unit 110 of
FIG. 4 are connectors 171 and 192. Connector 171 may be used to
provide a connection between the control unit 170 and one or more
connected devices that may be attached to the glazing unit 110.
Furthermore, the use of connectors 171 and 192 may allow for
removal and replacement of the control unit 170 if needed, while
leaving the connected devices in place on or in the glazing unit
110.
[0063] The control unit 170 as seen in FIG. 4 also includes
connected devices 175 and 176 that, in the depicted embodiment, are
attached to the panes 120 and 130 of the glazing unit 110 by being
placed in contact with the panes of the glazing unit 110. Because
the connected devices 175 and 176 are on opposite sides of the
cartridge housing 172, they may, in one or more embodiments, act on
the first pane 120 and the second pane 130, respectively. If the
connected devices 175 and 176 are in the form of electro-acoustic
transducers, they may be configured to deliver acoustic energy to
and/or receive acoustic energy from the first pane 120 (using
connected device 175) and/or the second pane 130 (using connected
device 176).
[0064] In one or more embodiments in which the connected devices
175 and 176 are in the form of electroacoustic transducers, the
connected devices 175 and 176 may be used as part of a noise
control system. In one or more embodiments, the connected device
176 may be used to convert acoustic energy impinging on the second
pane 130 to a signal which is then delivered to the control unit
170. As a result, the entire second pane 130 may essentially
function as a sound gathering structure to collect and deliver
acoustic energy to the connected device 176 (which, in essence,
functions as a microphone). The control unit 170 may further be
configured to deliver a signal to the connected device 175 which is
configured to emit acoustic energy that is transferred to the first
pane 120. The acoustic energy emitted by the connected device 175
attached to the first pane 120 may, therefore, be delivered to the
first pane 120 where that acoustic energy cancels the acoustic
energy detected using the second pane 130 of the glazing unit
110.
[0065] Another optional feature depicted in connection with the
glazing unit 110 of FIG. 4 is a solar collector 180 that may be, in
one or more embodiments, located on the cartridge housing 172 of
the control unit 170. The solar collector 180 is, in one or more
embodiments, configured to convert solar energy to electrical
energy which can be used by the control unit 170. The control unit
170 may, for example, include batteries, capacitors, or any other
structures that can be used to store electrical energy from the
solar collector 180. In one or more embodiments, such as that
depicted in FIG. 4, the area of the second pane 130 occupied by the
cartridge cavity 150 may include a coating or other element such
that the second pane 130 is opaque. In such embodiments, an
aperture 182 may be provided to allow solar energy to reach the
solar collector 180 on the cartridge housing 172 of the control
unit 170. In one or more alternative embodiments, the solar
collector 180 may be separately attached to the glazing unit 110,
i.e., the solar collector may or may not be a part of the cartridge
housing 172 of the control unit 170.
[0066] A cross-sectional perspective view of the glazing unit 110
of FIG. 4 as incorporated into a sash 160 that may be used in a
window assembly is depicted in FIG. 5. Although the glazing unit
110 is the primary glazing unit in the illustrative embodiment of
sash 160, in one or more alternative embodiments, the glazing units
described herein may be supplemental glazing units, e.g.,
incorporated into storm sashes, etc. that may be attached to a
sash, panel, window assembly, and/or door in addition to a glazing
unit that is already provided in the sash, window assembly, and/or
door.
[0067] As described herein, the glazing unit 110 in sash 160
includes a first pane 120 and a second pane 130 separated by a seal
140 to form an interior closed volume 141. The glazing unit 110
further includes a control unit 170 located within a cartridge
cavity as described above in connection with FIG. 4. Also seen in
FIG. 5 are the apertures 173 through which a user may operate
capacitive touch controls located on control unit 170 as described
herein.
[0068] The glazing unit 110 is, in one or more embodiments, at
least partially located within a glazing channel 161 provided
within sash 160. Glazing channels as provided in sashes are well
known and will not be further described herein, nor will the
techniques used to attach the glazing unit 110 within the sash be
described herein. The sash 160 includes an inner perimeter 162
that, as described above in connection with FIG. 3, defines a
viewable area of the glazing unit 110. As seen in FIG. 5, in one or
more embodiments the controls used to operate the control unit 170
may be located within that viewable area.
[0069] The sash 160 provides, in the depicted embodiment, one sash
of a double hung window assembly that includes an upper sash 166.
Also seen in FIG. 5 are a side jamb 164 and a sill 168 that also
form a part of the window assembly in which a sash 160 is
contained. Although the sash 160 is provided as part of a double
hung window assembly, it should be understood, that the sashes
described herein and the glazing units provided in those sashes may
be used in any suitable window assembly, including, e.g., casement
windows, fixed sash windows, single hung windows, sliding windows,
etc. and/or any suitable door, including, e.g., entry doors, patio
doors, French doors, etc.
[0070] Although, in one or more embodiments, the one or more
connected devices may be attached directly to the glazing unit 110,
the connected devices operably connected to the control units in
cartridge cavities of glazing units as described herein, the
connected devices may, in one or more alternative embodiments, be
connected to a sash 160 and/or another part of a window assembly
and/or door in which the glazing unit 110 is used. In the
illustrative embodiment depicted in FIG. 5, the sash lock 194 may
be provided as a connected device that is operably connected to the
control unit 170. For example, the sash lock 194 may include one or
more sensors used to determine the status of the sash lock 194
(e.g., whether the sash lock 194 is open or closed). Potentially
suitable examples of sash locks that may be connected devices as
described herein may be described in, e.g., U.S. Pat. No. 8,269,627
to Gore et al.
[0071] Still another alternative embodiment of a window assembly
incorporating a glazing unit 210 in a sash 260 as described herein
is depicted in FIG. 6. The glazing unit 210 includes a first pane
220, a second pane 230 and a seal 240 located between the first
pane 220 and the second pane 230 to form an enclosed interior
volume 241. The glazing unit 210 also includes a control unit 270
located within a cartridge cavity formed along one edge of the
glazing unit 210 as described herein. Also as described herein, the
sash 260 includes an inner perimeter 262 that defines a viewable
area for the glazing unit 210 located in the sash 260.
[0072] In the depicted embodiment, the control unit 270 includes
one or more displays 278 that may be visible to a user viewing the
glazing unit 210 from the side of the first pane 220. The displays
278 may be in a form that delivers information to an observer and,
in one or more embodiments, may also function as, e.g., capacitive
touch controls used to control the control unit 270 as described
herein.
[0073] FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional perspective view of another
illustrative embodiment of a glazing unit 310 in a sash 360. Unlike
the embodiments described above, however, the embodiment depicted
in FIG. 7 includes a cartridge cavity that is not bounded on two
sides by the interior surfaces 321 and 331 of the first pane 320
and the second pane 330, respectively. Rather, the cartridge cavity
(in which cartridge housing 372 of control unit 370 is located) is
located adjacent the interior surface 321 of the first pane 320
between the cavity edge 322 of the first pane 320 and the seal
340.
[0074] The second pane 330 of the glazing unit 310 also includes a
cavity edge 332. Unlike the illustrative embodiments depicted in,
e.g., FIGS. 1, 2A, and 4-6, however, the cavity edge 332 of a
second pane 330 does not extend past the seal 340 to the extent
that the first pane 320 extends past the seal 340 (as discussed
above in connection with the illustrative embodiment depicted in
FIGS. 1 and 2A), the cartridge cavity 50 may be in the form of a
slot formed between the interior surfaces 21 and 31 of the first
and second panes 20 and 30 (respectively).
[0075] In embodiments such as that depicted in FIG. 7, the
cartridge cavity may be described as having a first setback
distance D3 measured between the seal 340 and the cavity edge 322
of the first pane 320. As in the other illustrative embodiments
described herein, the glazing unit 310 includes other edges in
which the panes 320 and 330 and the seal 340 are aligned with each
other such that any distance between the edges of the panes 320 and
330 and the seal 340 is less than the setback distance D3 between
the cavity edge 322 of the first pane 320 and the seal 340. In
particular, attention is directed to the view seen in FIG. 2B as
one illustrative embodiment in which the panes and are essentially
flush with the seal.
[0076] In the illustrative embodiment depicted in FIG. 7, the
cavity edge 332 of the second pane 330 extends past the seal 340 by
a setback distance D4 as depicted in FIG. 7 that is less than the
setback distance D3 between the cavity edge 322 of the first pane
320 and the seal 340. Because the setback distance D4 of the cavity
edge 332 of the second pane 330 is greater than zero, the first
pane 320 and the second pane 330 may be described as forming a
cartridge cavity that includes a slot formed between the interior
surfaces 321 and 331 of the first pane 320 and the second pane 330.
This construction is somewhat different than the cartridge cavity
50 formed between panes 20 and 30 of the illustrative embodiment
depicted in connection with, e.g., FIGS. 1 and 2A, although in both
illustrative embodiments the glazing units may be described as
including a slot formed between two panes of the glazing unit.
[0077] In one or more embodiments, the cartridge housing 372 may
include a step 373 to accommodate the cavity edge 332 of a second
pane 330 with, in the illustrative embodiment depicted in FIG. 7,
the cartridge housing 372 extending into the slot formed between
the interior surfaces 321 and 331 of the first pane 320 and the
second 330. The cartridge housing 372 may also include one or more
controls 374 that may be used to control the control unit 370.
[0078] In one or more alternative embodiments, the setback distance
D4 as measured between the cavity edge 332 of the second pane 330
and the seal 340 may be essentially zero, such that the cavity edge
332 of the second pane 330 is essentially flush with the seal 340
(similar to, e.g., the edge 34 of pane 30 as depicted in FIG. 2B).
In such an embodiment, the cartridge cavity formed by the glazing
unit 310 does not include a slot formed between the interior
surfaces 321 and 331 of the first pane 320 and the second pane
330.
[0079] In one or more embodiments, the cavity edge 332 of the
second pane 330 may be described as aligned with the cavity edge
322 of the first pane 320. In other words, the cavity edge 332 of
the second pane 330 may be largely parallel with the cavity edge
322 of the first pane 320, although the edges may not necessarily
be perfectly parallel with each other.
[0080] Also depicted in FIG. 7 is a trim piece 363 that may be
removed from the sash 360 to facilitate removal and/or insertion of
the cartridge housing 372 in the cartridge cavity of the glazing
unit 310.
[0081] The complete disclosure of any patents, patent documents,
and publications identified herein are incorporated by reference in
their entirety as if each were individually incorporated. To the
extent there is a conflict or discrepancy between this document and
the disclosure in any such incorporated document, this document
will control.
[0082] Illustrative embodiments of the glazing units and sashes,
panels, window assemblies, and doors including the glazing units
are discussed and reference has been made to possible variations.
These and other variations and modifications in the invention will
be apparent to those skilled in the art without departing from the
scope of the invention, and it should be understood that this
invention is not limited to the illustrative embodiments set forth
herein. Accordingly, the invention is to be limited only by the
claims provided below and equivalents thereof. It should also be
understood that this invention also may be suitably practiced in
the absence of any element not specifically disclosed as necessary
herein.
* * * * *