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.

Disclosed embodiments include a spacer key configured for insertion within hollow spacer sections, thereby connecting the hollow spacer sections. The spacer key may include a top wall and a bottom wall connected by opposing side walls such that the spacer key has a tubular cross section and longitudinally-extending body. To control how much of the body is inserted into each spacer section, one or more raised areas may be included on the exterior of the spacer key. Protrusions may extend laterally-outward from the spacer key, configured to contact one or more internal surfaces of surrounding spacer sections upon insertion. External surfaces of the spacer key lacking protrusions may include one or more depressed areas. Longitudinally-extending grooves may also be included on the exterior of the spacer key to accommodate various perforations that may protrude from surrounding spacer sections, thereby improving the fit between the spacer key and spacer sections.

Disclosed embodiments include a spacer key configured for insertion within hollow spacer sections, thereby connecting the hollow spacer sections. The spacer key may include a top wall and a bottom wall connected by opposing side walls such that the spacer key has a tubular cross section and longitudinally-extending body. To control how much of the body is inserted into each spacer section, one or more raised areas may be included on the exterior of the spacer key. Protrusions may extend laterally-outward from the spacer key, configured to contact one or more internal surfaces of surrounding spacer sections upon insertion. External surfaces of the spacer key lacking protrusions may include one or more depressed areas. Longitudinally-extending grooves may also be included on the exterior of the spacer key to accommodate various perforations that may protrude from surrounding spacer sections, thereby improving the fit between the spacer key and spacer sections.

A spacer frame assembly and method of manufacturing that includes a substantially linear channel comprising two lateral walls connected by a base wall, the channel having first and second ends that when assembled, includes at least three sides and corresponding corners between each of the sides; the linear channel further includes a nose portion of the first end and a receiving portion of the second end having a channel for receiving the nose portion; and the nose portion comprising a first undulation in the first end and the receiving portion comprising a second undulation in the second end. The first and second undulations nest when the ends are in an assembled position.

A spacer frame assembly and method of manufacturing that includes a substantially linear channel comprising two lateral walls connected by a base wall, the channel having first and second ends that when assembled, includes at least three sides and corresponding corners between each of the sides; the linear channel further includes a nose portion of the first end and a receiving portion of the second end having a channel for receiving the nose portion; and the nose portion comprising a first undulation in the first end and the receiving portion comprising a second undulation in the second end. The first and second undulations nest when the ends are in an assembled position.

A straight connector (1), for hollow profiled elements (2) of spacer frames, mullions, or transoms for insulated glass panes, has several connector legs (6, 7) extending in various directions from a central connection point (9). The connector legs have retaining elements (18) for engaging on a hollow profiled element (2). The straight connector (1) has a base plate (10), with a top side with a raised support base (12) for the hollow profiled elements (2) and on both sides thereof on the connector legs (6, 7) the fin-like retaining elements (18) are arranged one after the other in a row. The support base (12) is arranged, in a longitudinal direction, in the center and has a center stop (8) for the hollow profiled elements to be put on, on both sides and which hollow profiled elements are supported at the joint (26) by the support base.

A straight connector (1), for hollow profiled elements (2) of spacer frames, mullions, or transoms for insulated glass panes, has several connector legs (6, 7) extending in various directions from a central connection point (9). The connector legs have retaining elements (18) for engaging on a hollow profiled element (2). The straight connector (1) has a base plate (10), with a top side with a raised support base (12) for the hollow profiled elements (2) and on both sides thereof on the connector legs (6, 7) the fin-like retaining elements (18) are arranged one after the other in a row. The support base (12) is arranged, in a longitudinal direction, in the center and has a center stop (8) for the hollow profiled elements to be put on, on both sides and which hollow profiled elements are supported at the joint (26) by the support base.

A glass panel unit manufacturing method includes a bonding step, a pressure reducing step, and a sealing step. The bonding step includes bonding together a first substrate including a wired glass pane and a second substrate including a non-wired glass pane with a first sealant in a frame shape to create an inner space. The pressure reducing step includes producing a reduced pressure in the inner space through an exhaust port that the first substrate has. The sealing step includes irradiating the second sealant with an infrared ray externally incident through the second substrate to seal the exhaust port up with the second sealant that has melted.

A glass panel unit manufacturing method includes a bonding step, a pressure reducing step, and a sealing step. The bonding step includes bonding together a first substrate including a wired glass pane and a second substrate including a non-wired glass pane with a first sealant in a frame shape to create an inner space. The pressure reducing step includes producing a reduced pressure in the inner space through an exhaust port that the first substrate has. The sealing step includes irradiating the second sealant with an infrared ray externally incident through the second substrate to seal the exhaust port up with the second sealant that has melted.

A spacer is provided that is shapable into a spacer frame, and during manufacture of an insulating glass unit, can be mounted on the glass panes. The spacer is formed having an inner surface, an outer surface and two lateral surfaces extending at either side of the spacer from the inner surface to the outer surface, and comprises a profiled body. The profiled body comprises two mutually spaced lateral faces running parallel to its longitudinal direction and a base body that extends between the lateral faces and has an outer and an inner face. The profiled body comprises at least in one part of its volume a quantity of particulate desiccant that is embedded in a plastics material. The spacer is coilable about an axis, perpendicularly to the lateral surfaces, and takes a flexurally rigid form in a plane perpendicular to the lateral surfaces.