Connectors for smart windows

Abstract

This disclosure provides connectors for smart windows. A smart window may incorporate an optically switchable pane. In one aspect, a window unit includes an insulated glass unit including an optically switchable pane. A wire assembly may be attached to the edge of the insulated glass unit and may include wires in electrical communication with electrodes of the optically switchable pane. A floating connector may be attached to a distal end of the wire assembly. The floating connector may include a flange and a nose, with two holes in the flange for affixing the floating connector to a first frame. The nose may include a terminal face that present two exposed contacts of opposite polarity. Pre-wired spacers improve fabrication efficiency and seal integrity of insulated glass units. Electrical connection systems include those embedded in the secondary seal of the insulated glass unit.

1 - 83 . (canceled) 
     
     
         84 . An insulated glass unit (IGU) comprising:
 two panes comprising at least one optically switchable device;   a spacer between, and sealed to, the two panes; and   a plurality of female connectors, at least one on each side of the IGU, wherein the female connectors are in electrical communication with the at least one optically switchable device.   
     
     
         85 . The IGU of  claim 84 , wherein at least one of the female connectors comprises one or both of a pin socket and a pin connector. 
     
     
         86 . The IGU of  claim 84 , further comprising a sealing area between the two panes. 
     
     
         87 . The IGU of  claim 86 , wherein the female connectors are in the sealing area between the two panes. 
     
     
         88 . The IGU of  claim 86 , wherein the sealing area is a secondary seal outside the spacer. 
     
     
         89 . The IGU of  claim 86 , wherein a controller, configured to control the at least one optically switchable device, is in the sealing area. 
     
     
         90 . The IGU of  claim 84 , further comprising at least one wire in electrical communication with the female connectors, wherein at least one wire is in the sealing area and is configured to supply electricity to the at least one optically switchable device. 
     
     
         91 . The IGU of  claim 90 , wherein the at least one wire is in electrical communication with the at least one optically switchable device via one or more bus bars. 
     
     
         92 . The IGU of  claim 90 , wherein the at least one wire includes a ribbon cable. 
     
     
         93 . The IGU of  claim 84 , wherein the IGU is rectangular and the plurality of female connectors comprises four female connectors, at least one on each side of the IGU and in a sealing area between the two panes. 
     
     
         94 . The IGU of  claim 84 , further comprising a controller external to the sealing area and configured to mate with each of the female connectors via a pigtail connector. 
     
     
         95 . The IGU of  claim 94 , wherein the controller is adjacent to the sealing area. 
     
     
         96 . The IGU of  claim 84 , further comprising a pocket for housing a controller configured to control the at least one optically switchable device, wherein the controller is configured to electrically communicate with at least one of the female connectors. 
     
     
         97 . The IGU of  claim 84 , wherein the at least one optically switchable device comprises an electrochromic device. 
     
     
         98 . The IGU of  claim 84 , wherein each of the female connectors are configured to connect to a pigtail connector. 
     
     
         99 . The IGU of  claim 84 , wherein each of the female connectors is configured to detachably connect to an end of a wire assembly, wherein the end of the wire assembly includes one or both of a memory device and an integrated circuit device. 
     
     
         100 . The IGU of  claim 99 , wherein the memory device and/or the integrated circuit device stores information for identifying and/or controlling the optically switchable device. 
     
     
         101 . The IGU of  claim 99 , wherein the memory device and/or the integrated circuit device stores current and voltage operating instructions for transitioning the optically switchable device between optical states.