Window module with integrated electropolymeric sunshade

A vehicle comprising:

• a frame member;
• a window module configured to be affixed to the frame member, the window module including:
• a first glass pane and a second glass pane disposed in a substantially equidistant arrangement and separated by a spacer, the first glass pane, the second glass pane, and the spacer defining a closed interior volume;
• an electropolymeric shutter disposed within the interior volume and configured to selectively obscure the passage of light through the first and second glass pane, the electropolymeric shutter including:
• a deployable tinting material configured to selectively extend across the first glass pane in response to a voltage difference applied between the deployable tinting material and the first glass pane;
• a photovoltaic cell coupled with the second glass pane and configured to generate electrical energy when exposed to light;
• and
• a controller configured to receive the generated electrical energy from the photovoltaic cell and to selectively apply the voltage difference between the deployable tinting material and the first glass pane.

A window module for a vehicle comprising:

• a first glass pane and a second glass pane disposed in a substantially equidistant arrangement and separated by a spacer, the first glass pane, the second glass pane, and the spacer defining a closed interior volume;
• an electropolymeric shutter disposed within the interior volume and configured to selectively obscure the passage of light through the first and second glass panes, the electropolymeric shutter including:
• a deployable tinting material configured to selectively extend across the first glass pane in response to a voltage difference applied between the deployable tinting material and the first glass pane;
• a photovoltaic cell coupled with the second glass pane and configured to generate electrical energy when exposed to light;
• and
• a controller including an energy storage device, the controller configured to receive the generated electrical energy from the photovoltaic cell and to selectively apply the voltage difference between the deployable tinting material and the first glass pane;
• and
• wherein the spacer is disposed about the perimeter of the first glass pane and wherein the second glass pane includes an overhanging portion that extends beyond the spacer and is configured to secure the window module to the vehicle.