Privacy glazing system with discrete electrical driver

Abstract

A controllable privacy structure, such as a window or door, may include an electrically controllable optically active material connected to a driver. The driver can control the application and/or removal of electrical energy to the optically active material to transition from a scattering state in which visibility through the structure is inhibited to a transparent state in which visibility through the structure is comparatively clear. The driver may need to be located in relatively close physical proximity to the privacy structure the driver is intended to control. Devices, systems, and techniques are described for discretely positioning a driver relative to a privacy structure to be controlled.

1 . A privacy door comprising:
 a first pane of transparent material;   a second pane of transparent material;   an electrically controllable optically active material positioned between the first pane of transparent material and the second pane of transparent material, the electrically controllable optically active material being further positioned between a first electrode layer and a second electrode layer;   an optically opaque panel positioned across an external surface of the privacy door; and   a driver positioned behind the optically opaque panel, the driver being electrically connected to the first electrode layer and the second electrode layer, the driver being further electrically connected to a power source and configured to condition power received from the power source to provide a drive signal to the first electrode layer and the second electrode layer for controlling the electrically controllable optically active material.   
     
     
         2 . The door of  claim 1 , wherein the optically opaque panel comprises a kick plate. 
     
     
         3 . The door of  claim 1 , wherein the optically opaque panel comprises a hinge plate. 
     
     
         4 . The door of  claim 1 , wherein the optically opaque panel is made of metal. 
     
     
         5 . The door of  claim 1 , wherein the driver is configured to condition power received from the power source by altering at least one of a frequency, an amplitude, and a waveform of an electrical signal received from the power source. 
     
     
         6 . The door of  claim 1 , wherein the power source is wall power delivering alternating current. 
     
     
         7 . The door of  claim 1 , wherein the power source is a battery delivering direct current. 
     
     
         8 . The door of  claim 1 , wherein the driver comprises a controller that is configured to receive input from a user control located outside of the privacy glazing structure. 
     
     
         9 . The door of  claim 1 , wherein the first pane of transparent material and the second pane of transparent material are each fabricated from a glass. 
     
     
         10 . The door of  claim 9 , wherein the glass comprises float glass. 
     
     
         11 . The door of  claim 1 , wherein the first electrode layer comprises a transparent conductive oxide coating deposited over the first pane of transparent material and the second electrode layer comprises a transparent conductive oxide coating deposited over the second pane of transparent material. 
     
     
         12 . The door of  claim 1 , wherein further comprising wiring electrically coupling the driver to the first and second electrode layers. 
     
     
         13 . The door of  claim 1 , wherein the electrically controllable optically active material is a liquid crystal material having a light transmittance that varies in response to application of an electrical field. 
     
     
         14 . The door of  claim 13 , wherein the liquid crystal material is monostable. 
     
     
         15 . The door of  claim 1 , wherein the electrically controllable optically active material is selected from the group consisting of an electrochromic material and a suspended particle material. 
     
     
         16 . The door of  claim 1 , wherein one or both of the first pane of transparent material and the second pane of transparent material are part of a laminate pane comprising a pair of substrates laminated together. 
     
     
         17 . The door of  claim 1 , wherein the door comprises a frame, and the optically opaque panel is positioned across the external surface of the frame. 
     
     
         18 . The door of  claim 17 , wherein the optically opaque panel comprises a hinge plate. 
     
     
         19 . The door of  claim 17 , wherein the frame is fabricated from one or more of wood, metal, and plastic. 
     
     
         20 . The door of  claim 17 , wherein the frame defines a channel that receives an external perimeter edge of the door.