Dimmable sunvisor
A dimmable visor is disclosed. In one embodiment, the visor includes a first clear sheet having a first surface and an electro-opaque sheet having a first surface and a second surface and having adjustably variable transparency. The first surface of the electro-opaque sheet is in contact with the first surface of the first clear sheet. The visor also includes a pair of transparent electrodes disposed on two opposite edges of the electro-opaque sheet, each of the transparent electrodes having an area smaller than the electro-opaque sheet. The visor also includes a second clear sheet having a first surface in contact with the second surface of the electro-opaque sheet. The visor also includes a suspension hinge attached to one edge of the first clear sheet and is configured to rotate about the suspension hinge. The electro-opaque sheet changes its transparency in response to electrical energy being applied to the electro-opaque sheet.
1. A dimmable visor, comprising:
a first clear polymer sheet having a first surface;
a second clear polymer sheet having a first surface;
an electro-opaque sheet having a first surface and a second surface, and having a variable transparency, the first surface of the electro-opaque sheet being in contact with the first surface of the first clear polymer sheet, the second surface of the electro-opaque sheet being in contact with the first surface of the second clear polymer sheet;
a pair of transparent electrodes disposed between the first surface of the first clear polymer sheet and the first surface of the electro-opaque sheet and between the first surface of the second clear polymer sheet and the second surface of the electro-opaque sheet, respectively, each of the transparent electrodes having a surface area smaller than that of the electro-opaque sheet;
and
a suspension hinge attached to one edge of the first clear polymer sheet, wherein the dimmable visor is configured to rotate about the suspension hinge, and wherein the electro-opaque sheet changes its transparency in response to electrical energy being applied to the electro-opaque sheet.
2. The dimmable visor of claim 1 , further comprising drive electronics in electrical communication with the electro-opaque sheet.
3. The dimmable visor of claim 2 , further comprising a user interface in electrical communication with the drive electronics.
4. The dimmable visor of claim 1 , wherein the electro-opaque sheet comprises a suspended particle device.
5. The dimmable visor of claim 1 , wherein the electro-opaque sheet comprises an electrochromic device.
6. The dimmable visor of claim 2 , wherein the electro-opaque sheet comprises an electrochromophoric device.
7. The dimmable visor of claim 6 , wherein the drive electronics apply a periodic voltage pulse to the electrochromophoric device.
8. The dimmable visor of claim 2 , wherein the drive electronics are in electrical communication with one or more photocells.
9. A dimmable windshield, comprising:
a windshield;
an electro-opaque sheet having a first surface and a second surface, and having a variable transparency, the first surface of the electro-opaque sheet being in contact with the windshield;
a pair of transparent electrodes disposed on two opposite edges of the electro-opaque sheet, each of the transparent electrodes having an area smaller than that of the electro-opaque sheet; and
a clear sheet having a first surface, the first surface of the clear sheet being in contact with the second surface of the electro-opaque sheet, wherein the electro-opaque sheet changes its transparency in response to electrical energy being applied to the electro-opaque sheet.
10. The dimmable windshield of claim 9 , further comprising drive electronics in electrical communication with the electro-opaque sheet.
11. The dimmable windshield of claim 10 , further comprising a user interface in electrical communication with the drive electronics.
12. The dimmable windshield of claim 11 , wherein the user interface is located in a dashboard.
13. The dimmable windshield of claim 11 , wherein the user interface is located in a steering wheel.
14. The dimmable windshield of claim 11 , further comprising one or more photocells in electrical communication with the drive electronics.
15. The dimmable windshield of claim 9 , wherein the clear sheet is a polymer.
16. A vehicle, comprising:
a windshield; and
a dimmable visor comprising:
an electro-opaque sheet having a first surface and a second surface, and having a variable transparency, the first surface of the electro-opaque sheet being disposed on the windshield; and
a pair of transparent electrodes disposed on two opposite edges of the electro opaque sheet, each of the transparent electrodes having an area smaller than that of the electro-opaque sheet; and
a clear sheet having a first surface, the first surface of the clear sheet being in contact with the second surface of the electro-opaque sheet, wherein the electro-opaque sheet changes its transparency in response to electrical energy being applied to the electro-opaque sheet.
17. The vehicle of claim 16 , wherein the clear sheet comprises at least one of the pair of transparent electrodes.
18. The vehicle of claim 16 , further comprising drive electronics in electrical communication with the electro-opaque sheet.
19. The vehicle of claim 16 , further comprising one or more photocells in electrical communication with the drive electronics.