Pilkington Group Limited

Jonathan Mark Williams

Michael Lyon

Joseph Jeremy Boote

Julie Houghton

Paul Andrew Skinner

A switchable glazing unit comprising a glazing panel spaced apart from a pane of glazing material by a perimeter seal is described. The glazing panel comprises first and second glass sheets. A first electrode layer is on a first major surface of the first glass sheet and a second electrode layer is on a first major surface of the second glass sheet. A layer of liquid crystal material is between the first electrode layer and the second electrode layer. When no voltage is applied to the first and second electrode layers, the liquid crystal layer has a first opacity, and upon applying a suitable voltage between the first and second electrode layers, the liquid crystal layer has a second opacity different to the first opacity. Methods of making such a switchable glazing unit are also described.

Switchable glazing unit

An electrical connector for a glazing including a first connector foot and a second connector foot for soldering to the glazing, and a bridge portion comprising sheet metal having a thickness in a specified range linking the first connector foot and second connector foot. The first connector foot and the second connector foot each are shaped so that most of the perimeter of each foot is curved, the first connector foot and the second connector foot are connected to the bridge portion by a first neck portion and a second neck portion respectively, and the first neck portion and the second neck portion each have a narrower width than a width of the bridge portion.

Electrical connector

An electrical connector for a glazing comprising a connector portion for connection to an electrical supply, and a button for soldering to a surface of the glazing, the button comprising a base portion adjacent, in use, to the surface of the glazing and an upper portion remote, in use, from the surface of the glazing, wherein the button comprises at least one solder-contacting surface, at least a portion of the solder-contacting surface curving from the base portion to the upper portion and defining a tapering solder cavity. A glazing comprising the electrical connector is also disclosed as is a method of soldering the electrical connector to a glazing.

Growing community of inventors

Southport, United Kingdom

Jonathan Mark Williams