WINDOW ASSEMBLY INCLUDING SLATS

Abstract

Disclosed is a window assembly with slats, including a first window, defining a surface; a first layer, conductive and adhered to a first side of the first window; an added window, connected to the first window at the first side, extending parallel to the first window; wherein a second layer is adhered to the added window, the second layer being conductive and adhered to a first side of the added window; and wherein the first layer or the second layer includes slats which are conductive and movable between a first position in which the slats extend substantially parallel to the surface, and a second position in which the slats are oriented substantially perpendicular to the surface; and wherein the first layer and the second layer are connectable to a voltage source for applying a voltage difference between the first layer and the second layer, so the slats are movable.

Claims

1. A window assembly (1) with slats (30), comprising a first window (10), defining a surface (P); a first layer (12), conductive and adhered to a first side (11) of the first window (10); an added window (20), connected to the first window (10) at the first side (11), extending parallel to the first window (10); wherein a second layer (22) is adhered to the added window (20), the second layer being conductive and adhered to a first side (21) of the added window (20) which faces the first layer (12); and wherein either the first layer (12) or the second layer (22) comprises slats (30) which are conductive and movable between a first position (I) in which the slats (30) extend substantially parallel to the surface (P), and a second position (II) in which the slats (30) are oriented substantially perpendicular to the surface (P), and are positioned in between the first layer (12) and the second layer (22); and wherein the first layer (12) and the second layer (22) are connectable to a voltage source (4) for applying a voltage difference between the first layer (21) and the second layer (22), such that the slats (30) are movable.

2. The window assembly (1) according to claim 1, wherein the added window (20) is releasably connected to the first window (10).

3. The window assembly (1) according to claim 1, wherein the voltage difference is variable.

4. The window assembly (1) according to claim 1, wherein the first layer (12) or the second layer (22), whichever is opposite to the slats (30), is provided with an insulating sublayer (13) covering a surface facing the slats (30).

5. The window assembly (1) according to claim 1, wherein the added window (20) is hingedly connected to the first window (10).

6. The window assembly (1) according to claim 1, further comprising a functional layer (40), for instance a PDLC layer or a ferro-electric layer.

7. The window assembly (1) according to claim 6, wherein the functional layer (40) is provided between the first window (10) and the first layer (12), and wherein the window assembly (1) is further provided with an extra functional layer (50), for instance a PDLC layer or a ferro-electric layer, wherein the extra functional layer is provided between the added window (20) and the second layer (22).

8. The window assembly (1) according to claim 6, wherein the functional layer (40) is provided between the first window (10) and the first layer (12) or between the added window (20) and the second layer (22).

9. The window assembly (1) according to claim 6, wherein the functional layer (40) is a PDLC layer (240), which is at both lateral sides provided with electrodes (241, 242) for exerting an electric field across the PDLC layer (240), wherein the electric field is adapted to shift an optical transmittance of the PDLC layer (240) between transparent and opaque.

10. The window assembly (1) according to claim 1, wherein the voltage source (2) is provided in a frame (15) of the first window (10) or in a frame (26) of the added window (20).

11. The window assembly (1) according to claim 1, wherein the slats (30) are adapted to entirely or partially block, reflect or convert at least one of visible light, infrared radiation and ultraviolet radiation.

12. Added window assembly (25), comprising an added window (20) and a second layer (22), adapted for application in the window assembly (1) according to claim 1, wherein the second layer (22) is conductive and adhered to the added window (20), and wherein the added window (20) comprises slats (30) which are conductive and movable between a first position (I) in which the slats (30) extend substantially parallel to the added window (20), and a second position (II) in which the slats are oriented substantially perpendicular to the added window (20).

13. Assembly of conductive slats (30) provided with an adhesive second layer (22), adapted to be used in the window assembly (1) according to claim 1.

14. Method for applying slats (30) to a first window (10), comprising the steps of providing a first window (10) provided with a conductive first layer (12) at a first side (11) of the first window (10), and providing an added window (20) provided with a conductive second layer (22) at a first side (21) of the added window (20), wherein the first layer (12) or the second layer (22) is provided with slats (30) which are conductive and are, as a result of voltage difference, movable between a first position (I) wherein the slats (30) substantially extend along a surface (P), and a second position (II) wherein the slats (30) are oriented substantially perpendicular to the surface (P), and are positioned in between the first layer (12) and the second layer (22); placing the added window (20) parallel to the first window (10), wherein the first side (21) of the added window (20) faces the first side (11) of the first window (10); connecting the first layer (12) and the second layer (22) to a voltage source (4) for regulating a voltage difference between the first and the second layer (12, 22).

15. The method for applying slats (30) to a first window (10) according to claim 14, further comprising, prior to the steps of claim 14, the following steps: providing the first window (10); applying the first layer (12) to the first side (11) of the first window (10); providing the added window (20); applying the second layer (22) to the first side (21) of the added window (20).

16. Method for replacing slats (30) in a window assembly (1) according to claim 2, comprising the steps of: releasing and removing the added window (20); removing the first or second layer (12, 22), whichever is provided with the slats (30); applying a new first layer to the first window (10) or a new second layer to the added window (20), wherein the new first layer or the new second layer comprises slats (30); replacing the added window (20) in the added window's original position.

17. The window assembly (1) according to claim 2, wherein the voltage difference is variable.

18. The window assembly (1) according to claim 2, wherein the first layer (12) or the second layer (22), whichever is opposite to the slats (30), is provided with an insulating sublayer (13) covering a surface facing the slats (30).

19. The window assembly (1) according to claim 3, wherein the first layer (12) or the second layer (22), whichever is opposite to the slats (30), is provided with an insulating sublayer (13) covering a surface facing the slats (30).

20. The window assembly (1) according to claim 2, wherein the added window (20) is hingedly connected to the first window (10).

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0053] Embodiments will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying schematic drawings in which corresponding reference symbols indicate corresponding parts.

[0054] FIG. 1 shows a partial cross-section of a window assembly including frame according to an embodiment.

[0055] FIG. 2a shows a partial cross-section of a window assembly according to an embodiment;

[0056] FIG. 2b shows a partial cross-section of a window assembly according to an alternative embodiment;

[0057] FIG. 3a-b show partial cross-sections of window assemblies with a functional layer according to embodiments;

[0058] FIG. 4a-b show partial cross-sections of window assemblies with a functional layer according to embodiments;

[0059] FIG. 5 shows a partial cross-section of a window assembly with two functional layers according to an embodiment;

[0060] FIG. 6 shows a partial cross-section of a window assembly with two functional layers according to an embodiment.

[0061] The figures are meant for illustrative purposes only, and do not serve as restriction of the scope or the protection as laid down by the claims.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0062] Further advantages, features and details of the present invention will be explained in the following description of some embodiments thereof. In the description, reference is made to the attached figures.

[0063] FIG. 1 schematically shows a part of a cross-section (top view) of a window assembly 1 according to the invention. The window assembly 1 comprises a first window 10, which is formed by a transparent layer mounted in a first frame 15. On the first window 10, a conductive first layer 12 is applied. A first busbar 14 is conductively connected to the first layer 12. The window assembly 1 further comprises an added window 20, which is mounted in a second frame 26. A second layer 22 is adhered to the added window 20. The second layer 22 is conductive and comprises slats 30 which are conductive too. A second busbar 24 is conductively connected to the second layer 22 including the slats 30. The first and second busbar 14, 24 are connected to a voltage source 4 which is provided inside the second frame 26. Alternatively, the voltage source may be provided in the first frame 15. Preferably, the high-voltage wiring is provided at the inside of the window assembly 1 and difficult to access for a user while the added window 20 is in place, for safety reasons. A fastening member 16, such as an adhesive strip, connects the first frame 15 to the second frame 26 to position the added window 20 parallel the first window 10. Alternatively, bolt-nut connections or hinges may be used.

[0064] FIG. 2a shows a part of a cross-section (side view) of a window assembly 1 according to an embodiment. The window assembly 1 comprises a first window 10, which is an existing window and in this case double glass, extending parallel to a planar surface P. At the first side 11 of the first window 10, a first layer 12 is applied. The first layer 12 is conductive; it however has a surface, facing away from the first side 11, which is insulating. This may be due to a surface treatment of the conductive first layer 12, but it may also be the case that the first layer 12 comprises a conducting sublayer and an insulating sublayer 13 covering the conducting sublayer, facing away from the first side 11 of the first window 10. The first layer 12 is adhered onto the first side 11 of the first window.

[0065] The window assembly 1 further comprises an added window 20, which is a glass or plastic plate and on which a conductive second layer 22 is adhered. Together, the added window 20 and second layer 22 may be referred to as added window assembly 25. The second layer 22 comprises slats 30, which are parallel strips, at one lateral side connected to the surface part of the second layer 22, such that they can pivot between a first position I in which the slats are parallel to the surface P and a second position II in which they are perpendicular to the surface P. The second layer 22 is facing the first window 10.

[0066] In order to build an electrostatic field between the first layer 12 and the slats 30, the conductive side of the first layer 12 and the second layer 22 are connected to opposite polarities of a voltage source 4, which is schematically drawn in the figure. Electrostatic forces between the first layer 12 and the slats 30 allow the slats 30 to move depending on the voltage applied with the voltage source 4. The space 2 between the first layer 12 and the second layer 22, in which the slats 30 can move, may be at atmospheric pressure.

[0067] FIG. 2b shows a part of a cross-section of an alternative window assembly 101 according to an embodiment. The window assembly 101 is roughly similar to the window assembly 1 of FIG. 2a: it comprises a first window 110 of double glass, defining a surface P. At a first side 111 of the first window 110 a conductive first layer 112 is applied. Other than in FIG. 2a, here the first layer 112 comprises slats 130 which are parallel strips, pivotable between a first position I in which the slats are parallel to the surface P and a second position II in which they are perpendicular to the surface P.

[0068] The window assembly 101 further comprises an added window 120, at its first side 121 provided with a conductive second layer 122, comprising an insulating sublayer 123 facing away from the first side 121. A voltage source 104 is used to build an electric field between the first layer 112 and the second layer 122. The space 102 between the first layer 112 and the second layer 122, in which the slats 130 can move, may be at atmospheric pressure.

[0069] FIGS. 3a-b show parts of cross-sections of alternative window assemblies 201, 301 according to embodiments. FIG. 3a shows a window assembly 201 similar to the window assembly 1 in FIG. 2a, including a first window 210, an added window 220, a first layer 212, and a second layer 222 including slats 230. In between the second layer 222 and the added window 220, a functional layer 240 is provided, in this case a PDLC layer 240. The PDLC layer 240 is provided with electrodes 241, 242 which are intended to exert an electric field across the PDLC layer 240. In this case, the conductive sublayer 241 of the second layer 222 coincides with the electrode 241 at one side of the PDLC layer 240. The presence of the PDLC layer 240 allows for additional options for controlling the transmission of light through the window assembly 201. Separate voltage sources 204, 205 with switches allow for controlling the slats 230 and the PDLC layer 240, respectively. The first voltage source 204 serves to build an electric field between the first and second layers 212, 222 such that the movement of the slats 230 is controlled. The positive electrode of the first voltage source 204 coincides with the positive electrode of the second voltage source 205 leading to the electrode 241 at one side of the PDLC layer 240. Alternatively, the negative electrodes coincide. A voltage divider may be used as an alternative to the present configuration.

[0070] FIG. 3b shows a similar window assembly 301. Only difference is that the PDLC layer 340 is now provided in between the first window 310 and the first layer 312, i.e. opposite to the added window 320 with the second layer 322 including the slats 330. Again, electrodes 341, 342 are provided with the PDLC layer 340 at either side. One electrode 342 now coincides with the conductive sublayer 342 of the first layer 312. Separate voltage sources 304, 305 with switches allow for controlling the slats 330 and the PDLC layer 340, respectively. The voltage sources 304, 305 are positioned in a similar manner as described in FIG. 3a.

[0071] FIGS. 4a-b schematically shows cross-sections of window assemblies 401, 501 with PDLC layers 440, 540, which are equivalent to those shown in FIGS. 3a-b, but now the slats 430, 530 are provided in the first layers 412, 512, rather than in the second layers 422, 522. The person skilled in the art will understand that the various features shown in FIGS. 4a-b and their advantages correspond to those in FIGS. 3a-b.

[0072] FIG. 5 shows a window assembly 601 which is very similar to the one shown in FIG. 3b, but now an extra functional layer 650 is added to the assembly 601. The extra functional layer 650 is provided in between the second layer 622 and the added window 610. Both functional layers 640, 650 can be controlled independently. The functional layers 640, 650 may be identical. Alternatively, they may have a different spectral response, or they may be functional layers of a different type. Voltage sources 604, 605, 606 allow for the control of the functional layers 640, 650 and the slats 630.

[0073] FIG. 6 shows a similar window assembly 701 as those in FIG. 5, but now the slats 730 are provided in the first layer 712 rather than in the second layer 722. Apart from that, the same features are present and the same advantages apply.

[0074] The present invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from its spirit or essential characteristics. The described embodiments are to be considered in all respects only as illustrative and not restrictive. The scope of the invention is, therefore, indicated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoing description. It will be apparent to the person skilled in the art that alternative and equivalent embodiments of the invention can be conceived and reduced to practice. All changes which come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are to be embraced within their scope.