Sun visor stored in and removed from the roof panel

Abstract

A removable sun visor includes a housing received in a roof panel. The housing has a storage recess therein. The removable sun visor also includes a sun visor assembly configured to be received in the housing and removed along a windshield of the vehicle. The sun visor assembly includes a display unit having a display area, and includes a color changing unit configured to surround at least a portion of the display unit. The transmittance of the color changing unit is adjustable.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a removable sun visor, and more particularly, to a sun visor including a color changing area and a display area, the sun visor being configured to be removed from a storage recess located in a roof panel to block light while providing a requested image through the display area. Background Art

[0002] Generally, a sun visor is a panel type or pad type driving assistance device installed above a driver's seat. The sun visor is used to block sunlight radiating from the front or side of the driver's seat that may have a negative impact on driving. The sun visor is installed for the passenger seat close to the driver as well as the driver's seat.

[0003] exist Figure 1 In the conventional sun visor 2 shown, a mirror 16 is attached to the front surface of the main body 4 for the convenience of the driver. A lighting device 18 is provided so that the driver can see himself / herself using the mirror at night.

[0004] However, such a lighting device 18 is used only to emit light to the driver, and thus becomes a factor that deteriorates the quality of a high-priced vehicle.

[0005] Additionally, it is not easy for the driver to replace or maintain the lighting device mounted to the sun visor.

[0006] The above information disclosed in this Background section is only for enhancement of understanding of the background of the present disclosure and therefore it may contain information that does not form the prior art that is already known in this country to a person of ordinary skill in the art. Summary of the invention

[0007] The prior art sun visor including the lighting device does not include a multimedia display device for improving user convenience. In addition, no structure is provided for changing the color of the sun visor so that the transmittance of the sun visor can be changed according to the amount of light introduced from the outside. Therefore, the conventional sun visor does not meet user needs or convenience.

[0008] The present disclosure is directed to solving the above-mentioned problems associated with the prior art.

[0009] An object of the present disclosure is to provide a take-out type sun visor including a display unit provided for user convenience.

[0010] Another object of the present disclosure is to provide a removable sun visor configured such that the amount of light introduced into a vehicle and the amount of light in the vehicle are compared to adjust the transmittance of the sun visor.

[0011] The objects of the present disclosure are not limited to those described above. The objects of the present disclosure should be clearly understood from the following description and can be achieved by the devices herein.

[0012] In one aspect, the present disclosure provides a removable sun visor. The sun visor includes a housing received in a roof panel. The housing has a storage recess therein. The sun visor also includes a sun visor assembly configured to be received in the housing and to be removed toward a windshield of the vehicle. The sun visor assembly includes a display unit having a display area, and includes a color changing unit configured to surround at least a portion of the display unit. The transmittance of the color changing unit is adjustable.

[0013] The removable sun visor may further include a driving unit connected to one end of the sun visor assembly for supplying a driving force so that the sun visor assembly is removable.

[0014] The drive unit may include a first motor for linearly moving the sun visor assembly so that the sun visor assembly can be moved to the removed state. The drive unit may include a second motor for rotating the sun visor assembly so that the sun visor assembly switches to the rotated state. The sun visor may include a controller configured to switch the sun visor assembly to the removed state and then to the rotated state.

[0015] The second motor may be fastened to a cover unit configured to surround the display unit.

[0016] The cover unit may be fastened to an inner shaft of a double shaft extending through the cover unit. The color changing unit may be fastened to an outer shaft driven independently of the inner shaft. A damping unit may be provided between the inner shaft and the outer shaft.

[0017] When the dual shafts are rotated by the second motor, the outer shaft and the inner shaft may rotate simultaneously. The outer shaft may be configured to rotate independently of the inner shaft.

[0018] A drive unit secured to one end of the visor assembly may be configured to move along a rack gear located within the housing.

[0019] The removable sun visor may also include a controller located within the housing for adjusting the transmittance of the color changing unit.

[0020] The removable visor may also include an automatic light sensor for measuring the amount of light.

[0021] The controller may be configured to adjust the transmittance of the color changing unit based on the amount of light received from the automatic light sensor.

[0022] The controller may be configured to compare an amount of light received through the portable device located in the vehicle with an amount of light received from the automatic light sensor and then adjust a transmittance of the color changing unit.

[0023] The removable sun visor may further include a guide unit provided at each side of the storage recess for guiding the sun visor assembly or the driving unit to move in a horizontal direction.

[0024] Other aspects and illustrative embodiments of the disclosure are discussed below.

[0025] It should be understood that the term "vehicle" or "vehicular" or other similar terms as used herein include general motor vehicles, such as passenger cars (including sports utility vehicles (SUVs), buses, trucks), various commercial vehicles, watercraft (including various boats and ships), aircraft, etc., and include hybrid vehicles, electric vehicles, plug-in hybrid electric vehicles, hydrogen-powered vehicles and other alternative fuel vehicles (e.g., fuels from resources other than petroleum). As mentioned herein, a hybrid vehicle is a vehicle having two or more power sources, such as a vehicle that has both gasoline power and electric power.

[0026] The above-described and other features of the disclosed embodiments are discussed below. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0027] The above-mentioned features and other features of the present disclosure will now be described in detail with reference to certain embodiments of the present disclosure illustrated in the accompanying drawings, which are given hereinafter by way of illustration only and thus do not limit the present disclosure, and in which:

[0028] Figure 1 is a view showing the structure of a conventional sun visor located in a vehicle;

[0029] Figure 2 is a view showing the structure of a removable sun visor according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0030] Figure 3 is a view showing components of a removable sun visor according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0031] Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view showing the structure of a rotation shaft of a sun visor assembly according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the rotation shaft being configured as a double shaft;

[0032] Figure 5A is a view showing a sun visor assembly according to one embodiment of the present disclosure, and the sun visor extends from the housing in a horizontal direction;

[0033] Figure 5B is a view showing a coupling relationship between a sun visor assembly and a housing according to one embodiment of the present disclosure when the sun visor assembly extends from the housing in a horizontal direction;

[0034] Fig. 6A is a view showing rotation of a sun visor assembly around two axes according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; and

[0035] Figure 6Bis a view showing a coupling relationship between a sun visor assembly and a driving unit that rotates the sun visor assembly around dual axes according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0036] It should be understood that the accompanying drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale, and that they present somewhat simplified representations of various features illustrating the basic principles of the present disclosure. The specific design features of the present disclosure as disclosed herein, including, for example, specific dimensions, orientations, locations, and shapes, will be determined in part by the specific intended application and use environment.

[0037] In the drawings, reference numerals refer to the same or equivalent parts of the present disclosure throughout the figures of the drawing. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0038] Hereinafter, reference is made in detail to various embodiments of the present disclosure, examples of which are shown in the accompanying drawings and described below. However, the present disclosure may be implemented in many different forms and should not be construed as being limited to the embodiments set forth herein. Rather, these embodiments are provided so that the present disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the present disclosure to those of ordinary skill in the art.

[0039] In addition, the term "unit" or "component" used herein means a unit that processes at least one function or operation and can be implemented by hardware, software, or a combination thereof.

[0040] In addition, relational terms such as "first" and "second" are used in the present specification only to distinguish between the same elements. In the following description, the elements are not limited to the order therebetween.

[0041] In addition, relational terms such as "inner" and "outer" are used in this specification only to distinguish between relative positions of elements. In the following description, elements are not limited to their positions.

[0042] The present disclosure provides a technology for a removable sun visor. Figures 2 to 6B The present disclosure relates to a removable sun visor, which is configured so that the sun visor assembly 100 is retracted into a storage recess 240 formed in a shell 200 located at a roof panel, and is taken out to a position corresponding to at least a portion of a windshield (windshield of a vehicle) in response to a user request (opening).

[0043] In addition, the removable sun visor according to the present disclosure includes a driving unit 300 for automatically removing the sun visor assembly 100 under the control of the controller 400. The driving unit 300 including at least two motors is configured to make the sun visor assembly 100 extend from the inner side of the roof panel in a direction parallel to the roof and rotate around one end of the housing 200 by a predetermined angle.

[0044] In addition, the drive unit 300 is configured so that when the removable sun visor according to the present disclosure is extended, the sun visor assembly 100 extends in the horizontal direction and then rotates. The drive unit 300 is also configured so that when the removable sun visor 10 is retracted into the roof panel, the sun visor assembly 100 rotates and then moves in the longitudinal direction of the housing 200 in a state parallel to the housing 200.

[0045] Figure 2 is a front view showing a removable sun visor according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. Figure 3 It is a view showing components of a removable sun visor.

[0046] The sun visor assembly 100 including the display unit 120 and the color changing unit 110 is located at the roof panel, in the housing 200 having the storage recess 240 therein, and is configured to be taken out in response to a user request (opening).

[0047] The housing 200 is configured to be fixed to the roof panel and can be configured to be hidden from the interior of the vehicle by the roof lining (i.e., the headliner). In the open state, the storage recess 240 can be located at one end of the housing 200, where the windshield and the roof panel face each other.

[0048] The color changing unit 110 may be made of a polymer dispersed liquid crystal (PDLC) film and is configured such that transmittance of the color changing unit 110 may be changed according to a voltage applied to the color changing unit 110 .

[0049] The color changing unit 110 according to the present disclosure is configured to be connected to a power source (not shown) inside the vehicle by wires via the cover unit 130 so that power is supplied to the color changing unit 110 under the control of the controller 400 located within the housing 200 .

[0050] In one example, the transmittance of the color-changing unit 110 made of the polymer dispersed liquid crystal film is adjusted so that the color-changing unit is in a transparent state when power is supplied to the color-changing unit 110. The transmittance of the color-changing unit 110 is adjusted so that the color-changing unit is in an opaque state when power is not supplied to the color-changing unit 110.

[0051] In other words, the color changing unit 110 is configured to surround at least a portion of the display unit 120 to selectively block incident light from a light source outside the vehicle.

[0052] The display unit 120 is configured to be surrounded by the color changing unit 110. The cover unit 120 is configured to cover at least a portion of the display unit 120. The cover unit 130 is located on at least one of the front surface or the rear surface of the display unit.

[0053] like Figure 4 and Figure 5A and Figure 5B As shown, the double shaft 140 may be provided at one end of the cover unit 130 and the housing 200 facing each other. The sun visor assembly 100 rotates around the double shaft 140. The cover unit 130 configured to surround the display unit 120 is configured to be integrally fastened to the inner shaft 142. The color changing unit 110 is configured to be fixed to the outer shaft 141. In one embodiment of the present disclosure, the double shaft 140 may extend through the cover unit 130.

[0054] In one example, the double shaft 140 is configured to receive a rotational force through the second motor 320 so that the entire sun visor assembly 100 rotates. The double shaft 140 is configured so that in a state where the sun visor assembly 100 is rotated by the second motor 320, the outer shaft 141 fastened to the color changing unit 110 can further rotate around the inner shaft 142.

[0055] In other words, the maximum rotation radius of the cover unit 130 and the color changing unit 110 fastened to the double shaft 140 can be set to be different from each other. The outer shaft 141 to which the color changing unit 110 is fixed is configured to be rotatable to a greater rotation angle than the inner shaft 142 to which the cover unit 130 is fixed.

[0056] The shock absorbing unit 143 may be provided between the inner shaft 142 and the outer shaft 141 to absorb shock when the outer shaft 141 rotates around the inner shaft 142. In addition, the shock absorbing unit 143 may include a plurality of concave portions that allow setting of an angle at which the outer shaft 141 can further rotate around the inner shaft 142. One surface of the outer shaft 141 facing the shock absorbing unit 143 is configured to be inserted and fixed in one of the concave portions.

[0057] In addition, the outer shaft 141 may be further rotated by a driving force from the second motor 320. Alternatively, the outer shaft 141 may be configured to be further rotated by a manual rotating force.

[0058] like Figure 3 As shown, the housing 200 including the storage recess 240 may be divided into an upper housing 210 and a lower housing 220. One end of the housing 200 facing the sun visor assembly 100 is open, thereby forming the storage recess 240.

[0059] In addition, the driving unit 300 is fastened to one end of the sun visor assembly 100 to supply driving force in a horizontal direction or in a rotational direction to the sun visor assembly 100. The driving unit 300 may be located within the housing 200 so that power from the vehicle is supplied to the driving unit 300.

[0060] The driving unit 300 is configured to be movable integrally with the sun visor assembly 100 along a rack 330 located in the housing 200. In one example, the first motor 310 of the driving unit 300 is gear-connected to the rack 330. The driving unit 300 is configured to move in a horizontal direction along the rack 330 according to the rotation of the first motor 310.

[0061] Therefore, the sun visor assembly 100 , one end of which is fastened to the driving unit 300 , is configured to move in the horizontal direction simultaneously with the driving unit 300 according to the rotation of the first motor 310 .

[0062] The guide unit 230 is located inside the housing 200. The driving unit 300 is moved in a horizontal direction along the inside of the housing 200 by the guide unit 230. In addition, the guide unit 230 may be configured to guide the movement of the sun visor assembly 100 to be retracted into the storage recess 240.

[0063] After the sun visor assembly 100 moves in the horizontal direction, the double shaft 140 extending through the cover unit 130 is rotated by the second motor 320. In other words, the driving unit 300 is configured to move the sun visor assembly 100 in the horizontal direction and then rotate the sun visor assembly 100.

[0064] In one example, in one embodiment of the present disclosure, the visor assembly 100 is configured to rotate 72 degrees and be positioned to have an angle substantially corresponding to a windshield of a vehicle.

[0065] A controller 400 configured to supply power to the color changing unit 110 is located within the housing 200. The controller 400 determines whether power has been supplied to the color changing unit 110 based on the amount of light outside the vehicle received from an automatic light sensor (not shown).

[0066] Furthermore, in one embodiment of the present disclosure, the amount of light in the vehicle is measured using a portable device (not shown) of the user, and the measured amount of light is sent to the controller 400. The controller 400 is configured to compare the measurement value received through the portable device with the measurement value received from the automatic light sensor, and then selectively adjust the transmittance of the color changing unit 110.

[0067] In one embodiment of the present disclosure, at least one of Bluetooth, radio frequency identification (RFID), infrared data protocol (IrDA), ultra-wideband (UWB), ZigBee, near field communication (NFC), wireless fidelity (Wi-Fi), Wi-Fi Direct, or wireless universal serial bus (wireless USB) can be used to perform short-range communication between the vehicle and the user's portable device.

[0068] In one case, the difference between the amount of light outside the vehicle and the amount of light in the vehicle is equal to or greater than a predetermined reference value. In this case, the controller is configured to determine that the user is subject to glare and to supply power to the color changing unit 110 .

[0069] Figure 4 is a side view showing the above-mentioned dual shaft 140 according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0070] The cover unit 130 is configured to surround the display unit 120. The double shaft 140 extends through one end of the cover unit 130, where the cover unit 130 and the driving unit 300 face each other.

[0071] The cover unit 130 surrounding the display unit 120 is fixed to the inner shaft 142 of the double shaft 140. One end of the color changing unit 110 is fixed to the outer shaft 141 of the double shaft 140.

[0072] The color changing unit 110 is configured to be further rotatable around the sun visor assembly 100 rotated by the second motor 320. The outer shaft 141 is further rotated around the inner shaft 142 in one direction or in the opposite direction, so that the color changing unit 110 can be further rotated.

[0073] The outer shaft 141 is configured to further rotate around the inner shaft 142. The shock absorbing unit 143 is located between the outer shaft 141 and the inner shaft 142. The shock absorbing unit 143 is configured to absorb the impact generated when the outer shaft 141 rotates. The shock absorbing feature of the shock absorbing unit 143 is provided in its outer peripheral surface. The shock absorbing unit 143 is provided with a plurality of concave portions in its outer surface. The inner peripheral surface of the outer shaft 141 is caught in one of the concave portions in response to the further rotation of the outer shaft 141, thereby setting the additional amount of rotation of the color changing unit 110.

[0074] Figure 5A 1 is a side view showing a state in which the sun visor assembly is taken out according to driving of the first motor 310 in one embodiment of the present disclosure. Figure 5B The structure of the limit switch 340 fastened to the rack 330 is shown.

[0075] As shown, the sun visor assembly 100 is configured to be taken out horizontally in the longitudinal direction of the housing 200. The sun visor assembly 100 is switched to the taken out state due to the movement of the driving unit 300 connected to one end of the sun visor assembly 100 to move in the longitudinal direction of the housing 200.

[0076] The driving unit 300 is configured to move along the rack 330 fixed to the inside of the housing 200. The driving unit 300 moves in the horizontal direction by the length of the rack 330 located inside the housing 200 in the longitudinal direction thereof.

[0077] In one embodiment of the present disclosure, the sun visor assembly 100 is configured to be taken out in a direction parallel to the housing 200. The sun visor assembly 100 may be configured to be extended by 180 mm.

[0078] In other words, the first motor 310 of the driving unit 300 provides driving force to the rack 330 fixed to the inside of the housing 200. The sun visor assembly 100 is taken out in a direction parallel to the housing 200, and the entire driving unit 300 moves in the horizontal direction simultaneously with the sun visor assembly 100.

[0079] The driving unit 300 is configured to move along the rack 33 located in the housing 200 by the driving force from the first motor 310. When the sun visor assembly 100 is located at the maximum extension position, the coupling between the limit switch 340 and the rack 330 is released, thereby interrupting the driving force from the first motor 310.

[0080] Therefore, power supply to the first motor 310 is interrupted at the maximum extended position of the sun visor assembly 100 .

[0081] In the case where the sun visor assembly 100 is configured to be retracted into the storage recess 240 according to a user request, unlike the above case, the controller 400 is configured to provide a driving force to the first motor 310. The driving unit 300 and the sun visor assembly 100 are configured to move into the housing 200 regardless of whether the limit switch 340 and the rack 330 are fastened to each other.

[0082] Fig. 6A 1 is a side sectional view showing a structure in which the sun visor assembly 100 is switched to a rotation state when the sun visor assembly 100 is located at the maximum extended position. Figure 6B The driving relationship of the dual shafts 140 is shown when the sun visor assembly is switched to the rotation state.

[0083] In a case where the sun visor assembly 100 is located at the maximum extended position, supply of driving force from the first motor 310 is interrupted. The dual shaft 140 is rotated by the driving force from the second motor 320.

[0084] In other words, the rotation limit switch 360 is turned on so that power is supplied to the second motor 320 through the cam 350. The cam 350 is located at one end of the sun visor assembly 100, whereby the dual shaft 140 rotates in response to the driving of the second motor 320.

[0085] In addition, the cam 350 is configured to be located at the dual shaft 140 and contact the rotation limit switch 360 so that the driving force from the second motor 320 is supplied to the cam. Therefore, the shape of the protrusion formed along the outer circumferential surface of the cam 350 can be set based on the rotation angle of the dual shaft 140.

[0086] In one embodiment of the present disclosure, the shape of the cam 350 may be configured so that the double shaft 140 rotates 72 degrees. The cam 350 facing the rotation limit switch 360 is configured to include a portion formed to protrude 72 degrees around the double shaft 140.

[0087] When the double shaft 140 rotates, the protrusion formed along the outer peripheral surface of the cam 350 is configured to turn on the rotation limit switch 360 .

[0088] In the area where the protruding portion of the cam 350 exists, the cam 350 contacts the rotation limit switch 360. Power is supplied to the second motor 320, whereby the sun visor assembly 100 rotates around the dual shaft 140. In the area where the protruding portion of the cam 350 does not exist, the rotation limit switch 360 is turned off so that power is not supplied to the second motor 320, whereby the rotation of the sun visor assembly 100 is completed.

[0089] like Figure 6B As shown, the rotation limit switch 360 is pushed by the cam 350 located at the double shaft 140. The second motor 320 is powered, and the double shaft 140 is rotated by the driving force from the second motor 320.

[0090] In one example, the rotation angle of the double shaft integrally connected to the sun visor assembly 100 is set according to the area of ​​the protruding portion of the cam 350 .

[0091] As is apparent from the above, the present disclosure may have the following effects from the structural, coupling, and usage relationships of the embodiments disclosed herein.

[0092] The present disclosure provides a take-out type sun visor including a display unit, whereby it is possible to improve user convenience.

[0093] In addition, the removable sun visor according to the present disclosure is configured so that the transmittance of the color changing unit is adjusted based on the amount of light introduced into the vehicle. Therefore, it is possible to provide a riding environment that blocks external light.

[0094] The effects of the present disclosure are not limited to those described above. It should be understood that the effects of the present disclosure include all effects that can be inferred from the above description of the present disclosure.

[0095] The above detailed description illustrates the present disclosure. In addition, the above describes embodiments of the present disclosure. The present disclosure may be used in various combinations, variations, and environments. In other words, changes or modifications may be made within the scope of the concept of the present disclosure, the equivalents of the disclosure of the present disclosure, and / or the technology and knowledge of the field to which the present disclosure belongs. These embodiments describe the best mode for implementing the technical concept of the present disclosure, and the changes required for the specific application and use of the present disclosure are possible. Therefore, the above detailed description does not limit the present disclosure disclosed above. In addition, the attached claims should be interpreted as including other embodiments.

Claims

1. A sun visor, comprising: a housing received in the roof panel, the housing having a storage recess therein; as well as a sun visor assembly configured to be received in the housing and removed toward a windshield of the vehicle, Wherein, the sun visor assembly comprises: A display unit including a display area, and a color-changing unit, configured to surround at least a portion of the display unit, wherein the transmittance of the color-changing unit is adjustable, The sun visor further comprises a driving unit, wherein the driving unit comprises a first motor connected to one end of the sun visor assembly to supply a driving force so that the sun visor assembly is taken out. wherein the driving unit further comprises a second motor fastened to a cover unit configured to surround the display unit, wherein the cover unit is fastened to an inner shaft of a double shaft extending through the cover unit, and the color changing unit is fastened to an outer shaft driven independently of the inner shaft, and When the double shafts are rotated by the second motor, the outer shaft and the inner shaft rotate simultaneously, and the outer shaft is configured to be able to rotate independently of the inner shaft.

2. The sun visor according to claim 1, wherein: The first motor is configured to linearly move the sun visor assembly so that the sun visor assembly is switched to a removed state; and The second motor is configured to rotate the sun visor assembly so that the sun visor assembly switches to a rotating state. Wherein, the controller is configured to switch the sun visor assembly to the removal state and then to the rotation state.

3. The sun visor according to claim 1, wherein: A shock absorbing unit is arranged between the inner shaft and the outer shaft.

4. The sun visor according to claim 1, wherein: The first motor, secured to one end of the visor assembly, is configured to move along a rack located within the housing.

5. The sun visor according to claim 1, further comprising a controller located in the housing for adjusting the transmittance of the color changing unit.

6. The sun visor of claim 5, further comprising an automatic light sensor for measuring the amount of light.

7. The sun visor according to claim 6, wherein: The controller is configured to adjust a transmittance of the color changing unit based on an amount of light received from the automatic light sensor.

8. The sun visor according to claim 6, wherein: The controller is configured to compare an amount of light received through a portable device located in the vehicle with an amount of light received from the automatic light sensor and then adjust a transmittance of the color changing unit. 9 . The sun visor according to claim 1 , further comprising a guide unit provided at each side of the storage recess to guide the sun visor assembly or the driving unit to move in a horizontal direction.

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