CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

[0001] The present application claims the filing benefits of U.S. provisional application Ser.

No. 61/980,716, filed Apr. 17, 2014, which is hereby incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0002] The present invention relates to a window assembly and, more particularly, a

window assembly that includes a shade.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0003] It is known to provide a window assembly, such as for a vehicle, which includes a shade that is movable between an open position and a closed or shading position.

Examples of such shades are described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 7,645,977; 6,520,239;

7,083,226; 6,899,380; 6,513,864 and 6,520,239, which are hereby incorporated herein by reference in their entireties.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0004] The present invention provides a window assembly that provides for shading of the window panel having a pair of spaced apart glass or plastic window panels. The outer window panel may be oversized relative to the inner window panel and may have cross- dimensions that are greater than the inner window panel so as to have perimeter overhang regions at least partially around the window assembly, which may provide enhanced mounting means for mounting the window assembly to a vehicle and may provide an enhanced appearance of the window assembly to a person viewing the window assembly from exterior of the vehicle. The curvatures and contours of the inner and outer window panels may be different and the spacing between the window panels may vary, so as to provide a desired curvature or contour for each window panel relative to the respective vehicle surface at which they are disposed. The shading means or shading element may comprise a coilable shading element or sheet (such as a tightly coiled conductive film, such as, for example, a metalized polymeric film or the like) that is disposed in a cavity between an inner window panel and an outer window panel and that dims or darkens the window assembly via uncoiling of the shading element. [0005] According to an aspect of the present invention, a window assembly (such as, for example, for a sunroof or moonroof type window of a vehicle or for other vehicular or non- vehicular applications) includes an outer window panel, an inner window panel and a spacer element disposed between the inner and outer window panels to establish an interpane cavity between the inner and outer window panels. A roller shade or shade element is disposed in the cavity and is electrically deployable via electrostatic action to coil and uncoil between a coiled light transmitting condition, where the roller shade functions to substantially allow light transmission through the window assembly, and an at least partially uncoiled light attenuating or light blocking condition, where the roller shade functions to at least partially attenuate or block light transmission through the window assembly. The spacer element comprises a circumferential frame or element and the roller shade may be attached to a support element or anchor, such as a generally rigid elongated support element. The spacer element is formed to provide a variable spacing between the panels and to seal against the panels, while allowing for electrical connection to the roller shade and optionally to a stop element at an opposite side of the window from the rolled up roller shade.

[0006] The window assembly may include a dehumidifying membrane that is electrically powered to dehumidify air that flows into the interpane cavity. The dehumidifying membrane may be disposed at an aperture through the spacer element. In such an application, the dehumidifying membrane may be electrically powered via at least one electrically conductive trace established at the inner surface of the inner window panel. Optionally, a dehumidifying membrane may be disposed at a housing that is in fluid communication with the interpane cavity via at least one conduit, such as a hose or tube.

[0007] Optionally, first and second electrically conductive traces (for electrically powering the conductive layer and the anchor stop) may be printed onto the curved inner surface of the inner window panel after the inner window panel is formed and heated and after coating of the curved inner surface with the conductive layer and the dielectric layer. The curved inner surface is convex curved so that the curved inner surface comprises an outer curvature of the curved panel.

[0008] These and other objects, advantages, purposes and features of the present

invention will become apparent upon review of the following specification in conjunction with the drawings. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0009] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a portion of a vehicle having a window assembly in accordance with the present invention;

[0010] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the window assembly of FIG. 1 ;

[0011] FIG. 3 is a perspective and partial sectional view of the window assembly of FIG. 2;

[0012] FIG. 4 is an exploded side elevation and sectional view of the film and lower window panel of a window assembly in accordance with the present invention;

[0013] FIG. 5 is an exploded side elevation and sectional view of the film and lower window panel of another window assembly in accordance with the present invention;

[0014] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of an inner window panel of the window assembly of the present invention, shown with the conductive traces established at the upper curved surface of the glass panel;

[0015] FIG. 7 is a side elevation of the inner window panel of FIG. 6;

[0016] FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a dehumidifying element that is in communication with the inner cavity of the window assembly and operable to dehumidify the air of the inner cavity in accordance with the present invention;

[0017] FIG. 8A is a sectional view taken along the line A-A in FIG. 8;

[0018] FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a window assembly of the present invention, shown with a dehumidifying element integrated at the frame of the window assembly in

accordance with the present invention; and

[0019] FIG. 9A is a sectional view taken along the line A-A in FIG. 9.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0020] Referring now to the drawings and the illustrative embodiments depicted therein, a window assembly or module 10 (such as a sunroof or moonroof or the like or such as a side or rear window or the like) of a vehicle 12 includes an outer window panel 14 and an inner window panel 16 with a coiled shade element 18 disposed therebetween (FIGS. 1 -5). In the illustrated embodiment, window assembly 10 comprises a roof module or roof window (such as a sunroof or moonroof or glass roof or the like) that is disposed between a front windshield 13a of vehicle 12 and a rear backlite or rear window 13b of vehicle 12 (such as at an opening in the roof of the vehicle or otherwise between the windshield and backlite of the vehicle, such as by utilizing aspects of the glass roof assembly described in U.S. Pat. Publication No. US-2008-0106124, which is hereby incorporated herein by reference in its entirety). The coiled shading element 18 is coiled or retracted to an open or non-shading position, and may uncoil or extend across the window assembly to a closed or shading position, such as in response to a user input or the like. The window module or window assembly 10 has an outer window panel 14 (or upper panel for the roof window application) that has greater cross dimensions than the inner panel 16 (or lower panel for the roof window application), and provides a uniform or flush outer panel at the exterior surface of the vehicle sheet metal and/or front windshield and rear backlite. The outer and inner window panels 14, 16 of window module or window assembly 10 may have different contours or curvatures (and thus define or establish a non-uniform spacing or cavity therebetween), and thus may provide enhanced matching or correspondence with the contours of the respective surfaces of the vehicle sheet metal and/or front windshield and rear backlite and of the interior or in-cabin roof liner or headliner. The window assembly may utilize aspects of the window assemblies described in International

Publication Nos. WO 2014/152563; WO 2014/01 1395; WO 2012/177995 and/or WO 201 1 /133830, which are all hereby incorporated herein by reference in their entireties. ] As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, window panels 14, 16 are spaced apart to define an interpane cavity 20 therebetween, within which the shade element 18 is disposed.

Window panels 14, 16 may comprise any suitable materials or panels, such as transparent glass panels, such as tempered glass panels or laminated glass panels or the like, and optionally may comprise glass panels with a low-'E'missivity coating or treatment, such as on a surface of the panel or panels that faces the cavity 20. The thickness or spacing dimension of the cavity 20 varies across the window assembly, such that the window panels 14, 16 may have different curvatures or profiles to correspond with the inner roof or headliner contours and the outer roof or sheet metal contours, in order to provide an aesthetically pleasing appearance at the interior and exterior of the vehicle. In the illustrated embodiment, the side perimeter regions 22a of the window assembly 10 have a narrowed cavity thickness or depth, with the cavity thickness (or separation distance or gap between the window panels 14, 16) increasing towards its largest gap dimension at about the lateral center region 22b (between the side perimeter regions) of the window assembly. Thus, the shade element or coiled film 18 is configured to be narrow enough or low profile enough to move along the side perimeter regions 22a (such as from the rear perimeter portion 22c towards the front perimeter portion 22d or vice versa) between its open and closed or shading positions. The profile of the window assembly may vary between the rear and front perimeter portions 22c, 22d, such that the cavity thickness increases towards its largest gap dimension at about the longitudinal center region

(between the front and rear perimeter regions) of the window assembly. Clearly, other profiles may be envisioned that would have a varying gap between the panels with the largest gap dimension or dimensions at different locations between the front and rear perimeter portions and/or the side perimeter portions, while remaining within the spirit and scope of the present invention.

[0022] In the illustrated embodiment, and as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, outer window panel 14 has larger cross-dimensions than inner window panel 16, such that the perimeter regions of outer window panel 14 extend beyond or overhang corresponding perimeter regions of inner window panel 16. The overhang regions may extend along one or more of the perimeter edges of the window assembly. The degree of overhang (or overhang dimension) of the outer window panel relative to the inner window panel may vary depending on the particular application (such as on the sheet metal opening of the vehicle and curvature of the vehicle body or roof and the headliner shape and contours) and desired mounting surfaces and appearances of the window assembly and vehicle. For example, for flatter or more planar window applications, a smaller or reduced overhang region or regions may be appropriate, but for applications with a greater curvature of the window panel or panels, a greater overhang dimension or dimensions may be appropriate. The overhanging perimeter regions 14a of outer window panel 14 (and a portion of the window panel inboard of the overhang regions) may have a darkened layer or hiding layer 23 (such as a ceramic frit layer or the like) established thereat (such as at an inner or lower surface of the outer window panel) to substantially hide or conceal or render covert the vehicle frame or sheet metal 24 at which the window assembly is mounted and the perimeter sealing and/or spacing element 26 and the coiled shading element 18 (when in its coiled or retracted state).

[0023] The window panels 14, 16 of window assembly are spaced apart and joined

together via a sealing element or spacer element or spacing frame 26 that is disposed at and around the perimeter regions of the upper or cavity facing surface of the inner window panel 16. The outer window panel 14 is attached at spacing element 26, with the spacing element 26 engaging the cavity facing surface of the outer window panel 14 inboard of the perimeter edges of the outer window panel. Thus, the spacing element 26 functions to space the window panels 14, 16 apart from one another (to establish the interpane cavity 20) and to secure or join the window panels together to form the double pane window assembly 10.

[0024] Spacing element or frame 26 comprises a perimeter frame having perimeter

portions 26a, 26b, 26c that encompass or surround and establish the interpane cavity between the window panels 14, 16. The spacing element or frame 26 is adhered to the lower or inner window panel 16 (which may include an opaque or substantially opaque coating or layer, such as a ceramic frit layer or the like disposed or established about its periphery where the spacing element is attached), such as via an adhesive bead or the like, with the spacing element 26 receiving or retaining the end stop at the lower window panel 16 and along its perimeter portion 26b opposite from its perimeter portion 26a where the roller shade 18 is disposed in its unrolled state. The roller shade 18 is attached at or mounted to a support or anchor element, which in turn is mounted at or received at and along portion 26a of spacing element 26, such that the roller shade is disposed at the inner surface of the lower window panel 16. The upper or outer window panel 14 is adhered or attached at the upper perimeter of the spacing element 26 via an adhesive bead or the like to assemble the window assembly and sandwich the spacing element 26 between the window panels 14, 16, with the roller shade disposed at the inner surface (facing the cavity) of the window panel 16.

[0025] The form or profile of the spacing elements and thus of the gap or interpane cavity may vary depending on the particular application and differences between the exterior surface contour or profile of the vehicle and the interior surface contour or profile of the vehicle. It is envisioned that the minimum gap must be at least large enough to receive the coiled shade element along the perimeter region at which the coiled shade element is located. The gap or spacing distal from or remote from that perimeter region may be reduced since it may only have to provide clearance for the shade film or element in its uncoiled or partially or mostly uncoiled state. For example, the gap or spacing dimensions of the interpane cavity may vary from a minimum of approximately 1 mm or thereabouts (or more or less) to a maximum of about 10 mm or thereabouts (or more or less), depending on the particular application of the window assembly. Optionally, it is envisioned that the window panels may have similar or the same curvatures or profiles such that the gap dimensions are substantially constant or uniform between the window panels, such as for applications where the outer surface of the vehicle is similar to or has a similar profile or contours as the inner surface or in-cabin surface of the vehicle at the location at which the window assembly is mounted.

[0026] As can be seen with reference to FIG. 1 , the outer surface of the outer window

panel 14 may be generally flush with the outer or exterior surface of the sheet metal and/or window panels and/or exterior trim panels or headers of the vehicle to provide a uniform or flush mounted roof window module or the like (such as a side window panel or windshield or backlite or the like). The lower surface of the outer window panel may be adhered or bonded to one or more flanges or attachment surfaces of the vehicle sheet metal or frame or structure, while the inner window panel may generally hang from the outer window panel (for vehicle roof applications) and may also be attached to or engaged with one or more interior trim elements within the vehicle cabin and along the ceiling of the vehicle cabin. As best shown in FIG. 3, the in-cabin surface of the inner window panel 16 may engage and/or be supported at the vehicle sheet metal 24 or other mounting structure to attach the window assembly at the vehicle. The window module may utilize aspects of the window modules described in U.S. Patent Publication No. US-2008-0106124, which is hereby incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

[0027] Shade element 18 comprises a conductive shade element, such as an electro- polymeric or metalized polymeric shade element or film or the like, that has a thin rolled up or coiled conductive film, such as a metalized polymeric film or the like, that is responsive to electrostatic action, and that unrolls when a voltage is applied thereto, such as by utilizing aspects of the insulated glazing units described in U.S. Pat. No. 7,645,977 and/or International Publication Nos. WO 2014/152563; WO 2014/01 1395; WO 2012/177995 and/or WO 201 1 /133830, which are all hereby incorporated herein by reference in their entireties. The coiled film is coiled or retracted to an open or non-shading position in the absence of a voltage applied thereto, and may at least partially uncoil or extend across the window assembly to a closed or shading position or partially shading position responsive to a voltage applied thereto.

[0028] Optionally, an end stop or roll stop or stop element (such as an electrically

conductive element or strip, such as a metallic plate or bar or wire or element, such as an aluminum rectangular wire or element or the like, or such as a metal-coated plastic or polymeric element, or such as a conductive tape or coating applied at the spacing element or the like) may be disposed at an opposite side portion of the spacing element 26 and at and along a perimeter region of the window panel opposite from where the coiled conductive or metalized polymeric film is disposed. The electrically conductive roll stop or element may comprise any suitable electrically conductive material and may be flat and/or hollow or solid or the like, while remaining within the spirit and scope of the present invention. The roll stop is disposed at and along an opposite side of the perimeter seal from the exposed or non-coated strip or perimeter region of the window panel. The end stop limits or substantially precludes contact of the substantially uncoiled end of the polymeric shade element or film with the dielectric surface of the panel to facilitate faster response times when the shade element is being retracted or recoiled towards its non- shading or coiled position. The end stop functions to help align the unrolled end of the film when it is fully unrolled or deployed and also discharges the unrolled film when the film contacts the end stop. The end stop may comprise a metallic material or other suitable material or suitable conductive material, and may be plastic coated or the like, such as coated with a low dissipation factor polymer, such as, for example, polypropylene, fluorinated ethylene propylene (FEP) or polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) or the like.

Optionally, the end stop may comprise a curved or arcuate end stop for partially receiving the partially coiled or coiled end of the film, such as by utilizing aspects of the window assemblies described in International Publication No. WO 2014/152563, incorporated above.

[0029] In the illustrated embodiment, the in-cavity surface of the inner or lower window

panel is coated with a conductive coating or layer, such as a transparent conductive coating such as indium tin oxide (ITO) coating or layer or the like. The coiled film or shade element comprises a conductive film (such as a metalized polymeric film or the like) and has a conductive or metallic side of the film facing the coated surface of the window panel to which it is attached. The metalized polymeric film is coiled and disposed at the window panel with its metal side or surface at the outside diameter of the rolled or coiled film.

[0030] In the illustrated embodiment, and as shown in FIG. 4, the film 18 is disposed at the lower window panel 16 and the film may comprise a laminated film with a dielectric layer 18a (such as a capacitor grade dielectric film or a Polyethylene Naphthalate (PEN) layer or the like), a conductive layer 18b (such as a transparent conductive layer, such as an ITO layer or the like) and an ink layer 18c. In the illustrated embodiment, the ink layer 18c is disposed at the transparent ITO layer 18b to cover or hide or conceal the typically shiny or mirror-like appearance of the PEN layer and reduce the reflectivity at the film and window panel. The ink layer may comprise any suitable or desired or selected color, depending on the particular application of the film and window assembly. The ink layer comprises a thin opaque or colored or tinted layer that may comprise a conductive material (whereby optionally the ITO layer may be obviated) or a thin non-conductive material (which is sufficiently thin to allow for operation of the shade when the shade is powered), while remaining within the spirit and scope of the present invention.

[0031] Optionally, the polymeric film may comprise other laminated materials or layers, and may have the ink layer disposed at the upper surface of the polymeric layer (the upper layer 18a in FIG. 4, but it could be the middle layer or even the lower layer of a selected laminate film), depending on the particular application of the shade and window assembly. For example, the transparent conductive layer may be disposed at the lower or lowermost surface of the dielectric film (and directly beneath the dielectric layer), and optionally the film may comprise a glass layer film lamination utilizing ultrathin flexible glass (such as for the dielectric layer) having a thickness of less than about 0.8 mm, preferably less than or equal to approximately 0.5 mm, and more preferably less than or equal to approximately 0.3 mm (such as by utilizing aspects of the glass laminates described in U.S. Pat. No. 7,420,756, which is hereby incorporated herein by reference in its entirety).

[0032] Optionally, the lower window panel of the window assembly may have a charge dissipating feature, such as a slotted layer or one or more charge dissipating strips (such as multiple small or micro strips) disposed along the panel and between the roll stop and the anchor bar (and such as by utilizing aspects of the window assemblies described in International Publication Nos. WO 2014/152563 and/or WO 2012/177995, which are hereby incorporated herein by reference in their entireties). The charge dissipating layer may comprise any suitable charge dissipating material, and may comprise a transparent charge dissipating material disposed as one or more layers or strips across the window panel. For example, the charge dissipating layer may be screen printed at and over and along the dielectric layer in a desired size and pattern.

[0033] Optionally, the glass substrate of the lower or inner glass panel may have its inner surface (the surface at which the film is disposed) coated with a conductive layer (such as indium tin oxide or the like), which is then partially or substantially coated or covered with a dielectric layer or coating. For example, and with reference to FIG. 5, a dielectric layer or clear polymer layer 28 and a conductive layer 30 (such as ITO or the like or such as a metallic layer or thin film, such as a thin aluminum layer or the like) are disposed at the glass surface 16a or of the glass panel 1 6. Optionally, a laminate layer or sheet that comprises a dielectric layer and a conductive layer (such as ITO or the like) may be laminated or adhered at the inner or upper glass surface of the inner or lower glass panel.

[0034] The inner surface of the lower or inner window panel (the surface along which the film is uncoiled) is thus coated with a transparent conductive coating or layer (such as a thin indium tin oxide (ITO) layer or the like or such as a nano-wire mesh or screen or wafer construction or such as a clear metallic layer or film or the like that is disposed at the glass surface), and a dielectric layer or coating is disposed over the conductive coating or layer. At least a portion of the transparent conductive layer is exposed at or near a perimeter region of the window panel and at least a portion of the dielectric layer extends to a perimeter region of the window panel, in order to provide for electrical connections to be made to the transparent conductive layer and to be made to the film (such as by extending or disposing a conductive connector over the dielectric layer at the perimeter region of the window panel to the anchor stop of the film), such as in a manner similar to the

connections described in International Publication Nos. WO 2014/1 52563; WO

2014/01 1 395; WO 201 2/1 77995 and/or WO 201 1 /1 33830, which are all hereby

incorporated herein by reference in their entireties.

[0035] The dielectric layer (such as PET or the like) may be laminated onto the transparent conductive layer or coating on the glass surface, such as in a similar manner as described in International Publication Nos. WO 2014/1 52563; WO 2014/01 1 395; WO 201 2/1 77995 and/or WO 201 11λ 33830, incorporated above. Optionally, the dielectric layer may be screen printed or spray coated or otherwise established on or over the transparent conductive layer at the glass surface.

[0036] The dielectric layer or coating may comprise any suitable dielectric material, such as, for example, a Sol-gel material or a capacitor grade dielectric film or material or the like, that is deposited or coated onto the glass surface and/or transparent conductive coating at the glass surface and then dried or cured thereat. After the dielectric coating is cured at the panel, electrically conductive connections or traces may be established at the window panel surface, such as at an exposed portion of the transparent conductive coating (that was masked during the coating of the dielectric coating on the transparent conductive layer) and at an exposed perimeter portion of the dielectric coating. The electrically conductive connections or traces may be screen printed or spray coated or otherwise established at and along the respective coatings or layers at the surface of the glass panel.

[0037] For example, and as shown in FIG. 6, an electrically conductive trace 40a may be established (such as via screen printing or ink printing or the like) at the upper curved surface 16a of window panel 16 and between an electrical connector or pad 41 a (where an electrical connector is connected to power the conductive trace) and connecting pads 42a, 42b (established at the surface of the window panel inboard of the perimeter region so as to electrically connect to the anchor bar and the end stop when the anchor bar and end stop are disposed at and attached at the window panel). Another electrically conductive trace 40b is established (such as via screen printing or ink printing or the like) at the upper curved surface 16a of window panel 16 and is electrically connected with another electrical connector or pad 41 b, with the second trace 40b extending along the perimeter region of the window panel so as to make electrical contact with the conductive layer at the glass surface (where the conductive layer is exposed and not covered by the dielectric layer along the perimeter region where the second trace 40b is established).

[0038] The electrical connectors 41 a, 41 b are established at a masked area that is devoid of the conductive layer to electrically isolate the connectors from the conductive layer. After the dielectric layer is disposed at and over the conductive layer, the conductive trace 40a may be disposed at the masked area and over a perimeter portion of the dielectric layer (and not in contact with the conductive layer) to electrically conductively connect between the connector 41 a and the anchor bar (or optionally a portion of the conductive trace may be disposed at the dielectric layer so as to directly contact the underside conductive layer of the coiled shade or film) and the end stop. Similarly, the electrically conductive trace 40b may be established over the dielectric layer at or near the electrical connector 41 b, and then along and in contact with the conductive layer to electrically connect with the conductive layer. A wire harness or electrical connector may electrically connect at the connectors 41 a, 41 b to electrically connect to the anchor bar and end stop and to the conductive layer. [0039] Optionally, and as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the conductive traces may be

established over and along the outer curvature or curved upper surface of the glass window panel (with the outer curvature being a convex curved surface of the curved glass panel). Such printing or screening of a conductive trace on an outer curvature of a curved glass surface may be achieved by printing the conductive trace onto the window surface after the window glass has been formed and heated. Typically, conductive traces are screened or printed on a flat surface of a glass panel (that may eventually be an inside curvature or concave surface of a curved glass panel) and this may be done before forming and heating of the glass panel. In the illustrated embodiment, the conductive traces are printed on the outer curvature (the convex surface) of the formed panel.

Because the outer curvature of a formed glass panel typically rests against rollers during heating of the formed and curved glass panel, this surface is not readily printed on via conventional means. Thus, to print the electrically conductive traces on the outer curved surface, the screen is moved along the curved surface of the already formed and heated glass panel to print the traces onto the outer curved surface.

[0040] The window assembly may comprise any suitable frame or sealing element or

structure that establishes a substantially sealed interpane cavity in which the shading element is disposed. Optionally, the window assembly may include a breathing or pressure regulating element or device or feature, which allows the interpane cavity pressure to be regulated or controlled. For example, the pressure regulating feature may comprise a bladder or pump element that may allow for air to escape the interpane cavity to maintain the pressure generally constant, such as when the temperature of the window assembly increases (and the pressure in the cavity increases). Likewise, the pressure regulating feature may allow for air to enter the interpane cavity when the temperature of the window assembly decreases (resulting in a decrease or partial vacuum in the interpane cavity pressure). The window assembly may utilize aspects of the window assemblies and venting means and dehumidifying means described in International Publication Nos. WO 2014/01 1395 and/or WO 2012/177995, which are hereby incorporated herein by reference in their entireties.

[0041] Optionally, the window assembly may include a venting and dehumidifying element that is operable to allow for venting of air as the in-cavity pressure changes, while also dehumidifying or drying the air to limit moisture in the interpane cavity of the window assembly. For example, and with reference to FIGS. 8 and 8A, a solid state dehumidifier or dehumidifying polymer membrane 50 may be provided that is electrically powered and is operable to remove moisture at a molecular level when a low voltage is applied at the membrane (such as by utilizing aspects of the Rosahl solid state micro dehumidifier available from Westside International Ltd of the UK). In the illustrated embodiment, the membrane 50 is disposed at a housing 52 that has a first or front portion 52a and a second or rear portion 52b, with the membrane 50 disposed in a cavity formed within the housing. A tube 54 is connected between the rear housing and the interpane cavity of the window assembly (and may protrude through a frame portion of the perimeter frame 26 of the window assembly) and another tube 56 is connected at the front housing and is either vented to atmosphere or is connected to a valve that may open and close responsive to a threshold pressure.

[0042] For example, when the pressure within the interpane cavity is above a threshold high level, the valve may open to allow air to flow from the interpane cavity through the membrane and through the valve to vent the interpane cavity. Similarly, when the interpane cavity pressure is below a threshold low level, the valve may open to allow air to flow from atmosphere through the valve and through the membrane and into the interpane cavity to maintain the cavity pressure within a desired range of pressure. The membrane dries any air that is flowing through the membrane and into the cavity to limit or

substantially preclude moisture intrusion into the interpane cavity of the window assembly. The membrane may be electrically powered via a wire harness or the like that electrically connects to electrical connectors of the membrane that are disposed at or outboard of the housing.

[0043] Optionally, and as shown in FIGS. 9 and 9A, a solid state dehumidifier membrane 50' may be integrated into or established at a frame portion of the perimeter frame or spacer 26' of the window assembly 10'. In such an application, the micro-dehumidifier may be electrically powered via an electrical connector of the dehumidifier electrically connecting to a wiring harness at the window assembly. Optionally, the electrical connector of the micro-dehumidifier may electrically connect to conductive traces established at the surface of the inner window panel (with the conductive traces

established in a similar manner as described above) or at the inner surface of the outer window panel 14' to provide electrical power to the dehumidifying membrane. For example, conductive traces may be established along the inner curved surface of the inner or lower window panel 16' and electrical connectors may be insert molded in the spacer so as to contact the conductive traces when the spacer is disposed at and attached at the inner window panel, whereby the insert molded connectors electrically connect to terminals or connectors of the dehumidifying membrane. The membrane may be disposed at an aperture formed through the spacer side member and may be a membrane assembly that attaches (such as at an inboard surface of the spacer as shown in FIGS. 9 and 9A) at the spacer so as to overlap or cover an aperture formed through the spacer.

[0044] Thus, as the pressure within the interpane cavity of the window assembly changes relative to the atmospheric pressure at the outside of the window assembly, air flow may occur through the membrane 50', which, particularly when air flow is in the direction inwards to the interpane cavity, operates to dry the air to limit or substantially preclude moisture intrusion into the interpane cavity of the window assembly. Optionally, the spacer may include valving or venting means to allow for breathing of the interpane cavity responsive to the interpane cavity reaching threshold pressure differentials at pressures above and below the atmospheric pressure at the window assembly.

[0045] The window assembly 10, when fully assembled, may be disposed at an opening in a vehicle and secured or mounted thereat or therein via any suitable mounting or attaching means. For example, the outer perimeter of the outer or upper window panel may be bonded or adhered to a metal frame or the like at the vehicle, or the window assembly may be attached to and/or supported by a separate frame that is attached to the vehicle.

Optionally, the window assembly may include mounting hardware or the like that is attached to corresponding mounting structure or hardware at the vehicle to mount the window assembly at the vehicle.

[0046] Although shown and described as comprising a sunroof or moonroof for a vehicle, it is envisioned that the shaded window assembly of the present invention may be suitable for a variety of vehicular applications, such as side window applications and/or rear window or backlite applications and/or windshield applications. For example, an upper portion of a windshield may comprise the spaced apart window panels with a spacer element and roller shade as described above, with a perimeter trim panel or trim strip extending along the lower edge of the dual panel construction. Thus, the driver may selectively darken or shade the upper portion of the windshield (or optionally, the windshield portion may automatically darken responsive to one or more ambient light sensors or glare sensors at the vehicle) to limit glare or sunlight passing through the upper portion of the windshield, such as when driving towards the sunrise or sunset. Optionally, aspects of the window assembly of the present invention may also or otherwise be applied to a rear backlite of a vehicle (either shading the entire rear backlite or a portion of the rear backlite) or a side window of a vehicle or the like. For applications where the shade element unrolls to shade only a portion of the window or windshield, the dual pane construction may only be at that portion of the window or windshield, or the dual pane and spacing element construction may apply to the entire window or windshield, with the roller shade being controlled or limited or sized to unroll only to cover or shade or darken a selected portion of the window or windshield (such that the roller shade only partially unrolls over part of the window or windshield or such that the roller shade is cut or formed so that, when fully unrolled, it extends over or encompasses only a portion of the window or windshield). Other window configurations and roller shade constructions (such as by utilizing aspects of U.S. Publication No. US-2006-0082192, which is hereby incorporated herein by reference in its entirety) may be implemented while remaining within the spirit and scope of the present invention.

[0047] Optionally, for example, the window assembly of the present invention may be

configured for use in other applications, such as non-vehicular applications, such as residential windows (such as house windows, including exterior and interior windows, and/or storm doors and the like), commercial windows (such as general building windows, skyscraper windows, and/or the like), aerospace windows (such as airplane windows and/or the like), appliance windows (such as for refrigerator doors, washing machine lids, clothes dryer doors, wine cooler doors, and/or the like), interior windows (such as for office partitions, room dividing panels, bathroom glass, light lenses and/or the like) and/or any other transportation vehicle windows (such as, for example, windows for trains, buses, RVs, tractors, heavy equipment and/or the like), while remaining within the spirit and scope of the present invention. The present invention thus provides a shaded window that may be suitable for use in a variety of applications that are suitable for or that require some type of dimming or blackout or shading.

[0048] When uncoiled, the film provides a desired degree of shading at the window

assembly, and may provide shading in any suitable color, depending on the particular application of the window assembly. For example, the film or films may be painted or inked or screen printed or coated with a dark or black coating to provide a dark or black colored shading of the window assembly, or the film or films may be painted or inked or screen printed or coated with any other colored coating or layer or the like to provide the desired appearance of the shaded window assembly. Optionally, for example, the film or films may be colored or tinted or patterned (such as with a vehicle manufacturer logo or any desirable or suitable pattern or icon or image or the like) to match the interior or exterior color scheme or trim scheme of the particular vehicle or vehicle manufacturer, or the film or films may be colored or tinted to match a selected color scheme as selected by the vehicle manufacturer or the vehicle owner or the like, such as by utilizing aspects of the mirror assemblies described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 7,289,037; 7,626,749 and/or 7,255,451 , which are hereby incorporated herein by reference in their entireties.

[0049] Optionally, the film may have a reflective layer or reflective property, so as to reflect light and/or UV radiation away from the window and away from the interior cabin of the vehicle. Optionally, the film may comprise polarization properties and may darken when it encounters UV radiation (or the film may automatically extend or close or cover the window panel when a threshold degree of UV radiation is detected or sensed at the window assembly, such as via a controller that, responsive to a detection of a threshold level of UV radiation, energizes the shade to extend or deploy or uncoil the film).

[0050] Optionally, the film may be formed without an ink layer. For example, the film

material or substrate may be already colored or darkened, such as by having a

pigmentation additive added to the film substrate so the film substrate itself is formed at the desired or selected color and opaqueness. Such an additive may obviate the need for the inking process and may provide a more durable film (because, with the pigmentation additive as part of the film material itself, there is a reduced chance of scratching or marring an inked surface at the surface of the shade film). Optionally, an ultraviolet (UV) or infrared (IR) pigmentation may be added to the film substrate or may be disposed at the surface of the film to provide a desired UV/IR protection or filter at the shade film.

[0051] The film or films may provide any desired or appropriate degree of shading and thus may function to block or attenuate a desired or appropriate percentage of light incident at the window assembly. For example, the film may block or attenuate at least about forty percent of the visible light incident at the window assembly, and preferably may block or attenuate at least about sixty percent of the visible light incident at the window assembly, more preferably at least about eighty percent of the visible light incident at the window assembly (or the film may block or attenuate less than about forty percent of the visible light incident at the window assembly), and it is envisioned that the film may block up to about one hundred percent of the visible light incident at the window assembly (so as to provide a generally or substantially opaque or non-light-transmissive window or sunroof), depending on the particular application of the window assembly and desired shading of the window when the shading element is deployed. The degree of light transmissivity or light attenuation of the film or shade element may be varied by varying the thickness of the ink layer or coating on the polymeric film roll or by including a metallic coating or light absorbing layer or light reflecting layer at the polymeric film roll or the like.

[0052] The coiled film or shading element (or elements) is coiled or retracted to an open or non-shading position in the absence of a voltage applied thereto, and may uncoil or extend across the window assembly to a closed or shading position responsive to a voltage applied thereto. The voltage may be selectively applied via actuation of a user input or the like within the vehicle (such as a button or switch in the cabin of the vehicle, such as at an interior rearview mirror assembly of the vehicle) or the voltage may be automatically applied in response to a sensor or control (such as a control that actuates the shading element to shade the window responsive to a temperature sensor determining that the in- cabin temperature or external temperature has reached a threshold level or the like). The control unit or user input and power source may be attached to electrical connectors of a wire harness or leads of the finished window module or assembly, such as via a quick- connect plug and socket type connection or the like. The shading element may be operable via any suitable powering means. Optionally, and desirably, the shading element is operable via a control system of the types described in International Publication No. WO 2014/152563, which is hereby incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

[0053] Optionally, although described above as an electro-polymeric shade element, it is envisioned that the interpane cavity shading element may comprise any other suitable type of shade element that may be disposed in the cavity or sandwiched between the window panels. For example, the shade element or shading means may include other suitable shading means, such as electro-optic shading means, such as for example, liquid crystal shading devices or electrochromic shading devices and/or suspended particle devices (SPD) or an organic light emitting diode (OLED) element, or the like. In order to facilitate use of such shading means, the window assembly may provide a substantially constant or uniform gap between the inner and outer window panels (while still providing a complex curved outer panel). For example, the outer or upper window panel may be formed or molded with a complex curved outer surface and a non-complex curved inner surface (or an insert may be formed or molded to conform with a complex curved inner surface of the outer panel while providing a non-complex curved inner surface), such that the inner surface of the outer panel (or the inner surface of the insert element) is generally parallel with the inner surface of the inner panel. Optionally, for example, a window assembly may provide an outer window panel with a complex curved outer surface and a non-complex curved inner surface, whereby the inner surface of the outer window panel (which may be generally planar or may be curved in one direction to generally correspond the curvature of the inner surface of the inner window panel) may be generally parallel to the inner surface of the inner window panel, with a laminate or film type of shade sandwiched between the opposing, generally parallel surfaces.

] Thus, the present invention provides for a window assembly with an outer window panel having a curved outer surface of one shape or form and an inner window panel having a curved or flat inner surface of a different shape or form. Thus, the window assembly may have upper and lower window panels with different shapes or forms or curvatures, while providing a shade feature at or between the window panels, such that an outer surface of the window assembly may have one curvature or shape and an inner surface of the window assembly may have another curvature or shape. A spacer element may be implemented to provide a desired or appropriate or selected spacing or gap between the window panels. The curvatures or shapes and/or gaps are selected based on the particular application of the window assembly. Although shown and described as having a complex curvature at the outer window panel (such as at the outer surface of the outer or upper window panel) and a non-complex curvature at the inner window panel (such as at the inner surface of the inner or lower window panel), the outer window panel may have a non-complex curvature that is different than the non-complex curvature of the inner window panel and/or the inner window panel may comprise a generally planar or flat window panel, while remaining within the spirit and scope of the present invention. [0055] The glass window panels may be bonded or secured to frame or header portions of the vehicle and the frame and/or header portions may be bonded or secured to the vehicle sheet metal via any suitable bonding material or adhesive, such as a butyl seal and/or a urethane or the like, such as via curing of a bonding or an adhesive material and utilizing bonding processes of the types described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,298,606; 6,128,860;

5,966,874; 5,704,173 and/or 5,551 ,197, which are hereby incorporated herein by reference in their entireties. For example, the window panels may be bonded to a header or the vehicle sheet metal by an adhesive, such as a urethane adhesive, including a one part or two part urethane adhesive, an epoxy adhesive, an acrylic adhesive, a polyvinylbutyral adhesive, a silicone adhesive, or the like. Reference is made to U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,364,214; 4,364,595; 6,299,255 and 6,220,650, which are hereby incorporated herein by reference in their entireties, for examples of suitable adhesives. Optionally, and desirably, the outer glass window panel may include a frit layer at the perimeter regions that is substantially opaque (such as a dark color or black) and, therefore, provides a concealing function and may further facilitate the adhesion or bonding of the panel to the vehicle.

[0056] Optionally, the shadable window assembly, such as a sunroof or the like, may be openable and closable via moving the window panel between an opened position and a closed position. In such an application, electrical connection is made to the shading element to selectively power the shading element to shade or tint the window panel as desired. Optionally, the electrical connection may only be made when the window panel is closed, whereby the moving of the window panel to its closed position makes the electrical connection (such as between electrical contacts or terminals at a portion of the window panel and at the frame or supporting structure at the vehicle). Optionally, the electrical connection may be maintained throughout the range of movement of the window panel, so that electrical powering or control of the shading element may be provided irrespective of the position or degree of opening/closing of the window panel. Such continuous electrical connection may be made via any suitable means, such as via a flexible wire or cable or a pigtail wire or cable (such as a coiled wire similar to what is known to be used in telephone cords and the like) or sliding electrical contacts or the like (and such electrical connections may utilize aspects of the window assemblies described in U.S. Pat. No. 8,402,695 and/or International Publication No. WO 2012/037190, which are hereby incorporated herein by reference in their entireties). [0057] During operation of the window shade, electrical power is provided at the

transparent conductive layer and at the anchor bar or coiled film, with opposite polarities between the conductive layer and the anchor bar. For example, when the shade is operated, a positive polarity current may be applied to the anchor bar and coiled film while a negative polarity current may be applied to the transparent conductive layer at the window panel. During operation of the window shade, such as when the shade is uncoiled or extended, the controller may be operable to swap or reverse the current polarities to limit or reduce charge build up at the dielectric layer. Optionally, and desirably, the system or controller may be operable to swap or reverse the current polarities right before the film is retracted. Thus, regardless of what the polarities are at the anchor bar and the conductive layer, the polarities are swapped or reversed when the coil is to be retracted. Such retraction is accomplished via a reduction in power at the anchor bar and conductive layer and may be performed in a controlled manner to control the retraction at a desired rate.

[0058] Optionally, it is envisioned that one or more touch sensors (such as capacitive touch sensors) may be established at the glass surface, and one or more icons or indicia may be provided at the glass surface to indicate to a user what function the user input or touch sensor provides. Such touch sensors may comprise any suitable type of touch sensors, such as capacitive touch sensors, and may utilize aspects of the touch sensors (and indicators) described in International Publication Nos. WO 2013/071070; WO

2012/051500; WO 201 1 /044312 and/or WO 2004/058540, and/or U.S. Publication Nos. US-2002/0031622 and/or US-2004/0137240, and/or U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,798,370; 4,198,539; 4,661 ,655; 4,731 ,508; 4,822,957; 5,045,644; 5,594,222; 6,001 ,486; 6,087,012; 6,310,61 1 ; 6,320,282; 6,369,804; 6,437,258; 6,452,479; 6,492,980; 6,501 ,465; 6,504,531 ; 6,627,918; 6,787,240; 7,224,324; 7,249,860; 7,253,723; 7,255,541 ; 7,360,932; 7,446,924 and/or 8,154,418, which are all hereby incorporated herein by reference in their entireties.

[0059] Changes and modifications to the specifically described embodiments may be

carried out without departing from the principles of the present invention, which is intended to be limited only by the scope of the appended claims, as interpreted according to the principles of patent law.