Vehicle visor and vehicle visor system for vehicle having windshield

Abstract

An automobile visor includes: a visor body including a first articulation surface and a first magnetic element disposed within the articulation surface; and a mounting block configured to be attached to the vehicle along a portion of the roof liner. The mounting block defines a second articulation surface and includes a second magnetic element disposed adjacent the second articulation surface. The first magnetic element and the second magnetic element attract each other to maintain articulated contact between the first articulation surface and the second articulation surface under a force applied to the visor body below a disengagement threshold. A vehicle visor system for a vehicle having a windshield is also disclosed herein.

Description

[0001] Cross-references to related applications

[0002] This application claims priority and benefit under 35 USC §119(e) to U.S. Provisional Application No. 63 / 639,906, filed April 29, 2024, entitled “VEHICULAR VISOR ATTACHMENT ASSEMBLY”, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. Technical Field

[0003] This disclosure relates generally to an automotive sun visor, and more specifically to an automotive sun visor attachment assembly having a magnetic mounting block. Background Technology

[0004] Automotive sun visors are used to selectively shield passengers' eyes from sunlight while maintaining a generally acceptable field of vision, particularly for the driver. In some known embodiments, such sun visors may be relatively thin and flat, generally opaque bodies configured to extend along a portion of the vehicle's headliner. These sun visors are rotatable between a retracted position, in which the sun visor body is positioned against the headliner, and in the used position, the body is angled relative to the headliner and extends above a portion of the windshield relative to the passenger's field of vision. Additionally, some sun visors have releasable inner edges, allowing the sun visor to rotate outwards against a side window. Typically, this release is facilitated by holding a corner of the sun visor in place using resilient clamps fastened to the headliner. Such clamps may be prone to breakage and may limit the direction in which the sun visor must be moved to achieve release on the corresponding side. Summary of the Invention

[0005] According to one aspect of this disclosure, an automotive sun visor includes: a sun visor body including a first hinge surface and a first magnetic element disposed within the hinge surface; and a mounting block configured to attach to a vehicle along a portion of a headliner. The mounting block defines a second hinge surface and includes a second magnetic element disposed adjacent to the second hinge surface. The first and second magnetic elements attract each other to maintain hinged contact between the first and second hinge surfaces under a force below a release threshold applied to the sun visor body.

[0006] According to another aspect of this disclosure, an automotive sun visor includes: a sun visor body having a first hinged surface and a first magnetic element disposed within the hinged surface; and a mounting block configured to attach to a vehicle along a portion of a roof liner. The mounting block defines a second hinged surface, a leading edge, and a trailing edge. The leading edge is positioned closer to the vehicle windshield than the trailing edge and is vertically positioned below the trailing edge. The mounting block also includes a second magnetic element disposed adjacent to the second hinged surface. The first and second magnetic elements attract each other to maintain hinged contact between the first and second hinged surfaces under a force applied to the sun visor body below a disengagement threshold, the disengagement threshold varying with the direction of the force applied to the sun visor body. The disengagement threshold corresponding to an impact force horizontally directed towards the windshield on the sun visor body is greater than the disengagement force corresponding to an unfolding force horizontally directed away from the windshield.

[0007] According to another aspect of this disclosure, an automotive sun visor system for a vehicle with a windshield includes: a sun visor body having a first hinged surface and a first magnetic element disposed within the hinged surface; and a mounting block configured to attach to a vehicle along a portion of a headliner. The mounting block defines a second hinged surface and has a second magnetic element disposed adjacent to the second hinged surface. The first and second magnetic elements attract each other to maintain hinged contact between the first and second hinged surfaces under a force applied to the sun visor body below a release threshold. The release threshold is configured to maintain contact between the first and second hinged surfaces during rotation of the sun visor body between an deployed position and at least one of a plurality of use positions. The sun visor system further includes: a positioning sensor mounted within the sun visor body and detecting a magnetic field associated with the second magnetic element; an electrochromic element configurable between a plurality of transmissive states in response to voltage application; and a controller configured to apply voltage to the electrochromic element and communicate with the positioning sensor. The controller uses positioning information from the positioning sensor to control at least one operating characteristic of the electrochromic element, including its transmissivity state.

[0008] By studying the following description, claims and drawings, those skilled in the art will further understand and appreciate these and other features, advantages and objectives of this device. Attached Figure Description

[0009] The invention will be more fully understood from the detailed description and accompanying drawings, wherein:

[0010] Figure 1 This is a front perspective view of an automotive sun visor assembly according to one aspect of this disclosure;

[0011] Figure 2This is a rear perspective view of the car sun visor assembly;

[0012] Figure 3 yes Figure 1 A perspective detail of the portion of the car sun visor assembly indicated in the image;

[0013] Figure 4 yes Figure 2 A perspective detail of the portion of the car sun visor assembly indicated in the image;

[0014] Figure 5 yes Figure 1 A side perspective view of a car sun visor, showing the sun visor body moving from an unfolded position to a retracted position.

[0015] Figure 6 It is a front perspective view of a car sun visor, in which the sun visor body is removed from the car sun visor mounting block and moved to an outwardly rotated position;

[0016] Figure 7 This is a detailed cross-sectional view of a car sun visor assembly, including a portion of its mounting block.

[0017] Figure 8 This is a detailed sectional view of a portion of an automotive sun visor assembly, in which the sun visor body is rotated relative to the mounting block;

[0018] Figure 9 This is a schematic diagram showing various aspects of the geometry of the sun visor assembly and the effects of different bending thresholds associated with the sun visor assembly.

[0019] Figure 10 This illustrates the sun visor assembly relative to Figure 9 The graph illustrates the change in the bending threshold of the geometry described in the text.

[0020] Figure 11 This is a rear perspective view of a portion of a car sun visor assembly, showing the sun visor body detached from the mounting block and rotated toward the vehicle's windshield; and

[0021] Figure 12 It shows that it is in Figure 11 A perspective detail of a portion of a car sun visor assembly. Detailed Implementation

[0022] The embodiments described in this invention primarily concern the combination of method steps and device components related to automotive sun visor assemblies. Therefore, device components have been designated where appropriate using conventional symbols in the figures, with only those specific details relevant to understanding the embodiments of this disclosure shown to avoid obscuring the disclosure, which has details that will be obvious to those skilled in the art and have the benefit of those described herein. Furthermore, in the specification and drawings, the same numerals denote similar elements.

[0023] For the purposes described herein, the terms “up,” “down,” “right,” “left,” “back,” “front,” “vertical,” “horizontal,” and their derivatives should be used interchangeably with those used in this document. Figure 1 The orientation of the apparatus is relevant. However, it should be understood that the apparatus may employ various alternative orientations and sequences of steps unless explicitly specified otherwise. It should also be understood that the specific apparatus and processes shown in the drawings and described in the following description are merely exemplary embodiments of the inventive concept defined in the appended claims. Therefore, unless otherwise expressly stated in the claims, the specific dimensions and other physical characteristics relating to the embodiments disclosed herein should not be considered limiting.

[0024] Ordinal modifiers (i.e., "first," "second," etc.) can be used to distinguish various structures of the disclosed automotive sun visor assembly in various contexts, but such ordinal numbers are not necessarily intended to apply to such elements outside the specific context in which they are used, and in various respects, different elements within the same category can be identified by the same context-specific ordinal number. In such cases, other specific names of the elements are used to clarify the overall relationship between such elements. Ordinal numbers are not used to specify the location of an element, nor do they exclude additional or intermediate unordered elements or indicate the importance or rank of an element within a particular category.

[0025] The terms "including," "comprises," "comprising," or any other variations thereof are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises a list of elements includes not only those elements but may also include other elements not expressly listed or not inherent to such process, method, article, or apparatus. Without further constraints, an element preceded by "including..." does not exclude the presence of additional identical elements in the process, method, article, or apparatus that includes said element.

[0026] For the purposes of this disclosure, the term "coupled" (in all its forms, including couple, coupling, etc.) generally means the direct or indirect engagement of two (electrical or mechanical) components with each other. Such engagement can be static or movable in nature. Such engagement can be achieved using two (electrical or mechanical) components and any additional intermediate member that forms a single unit with or integrally with the two components. Unless otherwise stated, such engagement can be permanent in nature, or removable or detachable in nature.

[0027] For the purposes of this disclosure, the terms “about,” “approximately,” or “substantially” are intended to mean that the value of a parameter is close to the stated value or position. However, minor differences may prevent the value or position from being perfectly consistent with the stated value or position. Therefore, unless otherwise indicated, a difference of up to ten percent (10%) is a reasonable difference from an ideal target as precisely described. In many cases, a significant difference may be when the difference is greater than ten percent (10%), unless those skilled in the art would generally understand it otherwise based on the context in which such terms are used.

[0028] refer to Figures 1 to 10 Reference numeral 10 generally indicates a car sun visor assembly. The car sun visor assembly 10 includes: a sun visor body 12, which includes a first hinge surface 14 and a first magnetic element 16 disposed inside the hinge surface 14. Figure 7 The first magnetic element 16 and the second magnetic element 26 are configured to attach to the vehicle 20 along a portion of the roof liner 22; and a mounting block 18 is configured to attach to the vehicle 20. The mounting block 18 defines a second hinge surface 24 and includes a second magnetic element 26 disposed adjacent to the second hinge surface 24. The first magnetic element 16 and the second magnetic element 26 attract each other to maintain hinged contact between the first hinge surface 14 and the second hinge surface 24 under loads below a release threshold.

[0029] Overall Reference Figures 1 to 6 The sun visor assembly 10 includes the aforementioned mounting block 18 and a pivot mount 28, which is generally disposed on the opposite lateral side of the sun visor body 12 and is configured to allow the sun visor body 12 to be positioned from a retracted position. Figure 5 ) and including but not limited to Figures 1 to 4The illustrated extended positioning uses a range of rotation, in which the sun visor body 12 is positioned abutting against the roof liner 22 of the vehicle 20, and in this usage positioning range, the sun visor body 12 rotates downward from the roof liner 22 to extend at least partially into the user's field of vision. In at least one aspect, when rotated downward and outward toward the windshield 30 in a typical manner for a typical automotive sun visor, the range of movement of the sun visor body 12 about the mounting block 18 and the pivot mount 28 is limited between the roof liner 22 and a portion of the windshield 30 that can be contacted by the lower edge 39 of the sun visor body 12. In this way, the sun visor can be moved to, for example, shield the user's eyes from direct sunlight visible through the upper portion of the windshield 30. As mentioned above, the mutual attraction between the first magnetic element 16 and the second magnetic element 26 is configured to maintain the engagement of the first hinge surface 14 and the second hinge surface 24 during such rotation of the sun visor body 12 between various positions within its range of motion, including, for example, maintaining this engagement during unfolding, retracting, and adjusting the sun visor body 12 between such positions. In this way, the first hinge surface 14 is configured to slide over the second hinge surface 24 to facilitate such rotation of the sun visor body 12, wherein the axis of rotation R of the sun visor body is defined within the first hinge surface 14 and is defined substantially opposite to the first hinge surface 14 by the engagement of the support rod 32 with the sun visor body 12, the sun visor body 12 being further configured to rotate about this axis of rotation.

[0030] In one embodiment, the first magnetic element 16 and the second magnetic element 26 may be configured such that their mutual attraction holds the second hinge surface 24 against the first hinge surface 14 with a force between 30 N and 40 N. In another embodiment, the holding force between the second hinge surface 24 and the first hinge surface 14 may be approximately 34 N (+ / - 5%). It should be understood that many factors may affect the holding force defined above, including but not limited to the strength of the first magnetic element 16, the magnetic characteristics of the second magnetic element 26 (including whether the second magnetic element 26 is a magnet and its strength, or whether the second magnetic element 26 is merely magnetically active and its specific size and composition), the thickness (and composition) of the mounting block 18, and the thickness of the body defining the second hinge surface 24. The first hinge surface 14 and the second hinge surface 24 may be configured to exhibit a mutual coefficient of static friction (μ) between them, between about 0.1 and 0.2, and in one embodiment about 0.15 (+ / - 5%). The coefficient of friction can correspond to the holding force because it is generally desirable that the second hinged surface 24 can move relative to the first hinged surface 14 (by rotation of the sun visor body 12, as discussed above) without rolling or other longitudinal movement (i.e., translation) under normal conditions. In this regard, in one embodiment, the first hinged surface 14 and the second hinged surface 24 can be defined on a body made of plastic, such as polycarbonate or acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (“ABS”), mixtures thereof, or other plastics with a smooth surface treatment or surface quality.

[0031] To position the axis of rotation R relative to the mounting block 18 in a desired location, the sun visor body 12 defines opposing first and second main surfaces 34 and 36, and an upper edge 38 extending between the first and second main surfaces 34 and 36. A first hinge surface 14 may be defined as a partially cylindrical segment 40 extending along a portion of the upper edge 38. In one embodiment, a first magnetic element 16 may be received within the partially cylindrical segment 40 by being constructed itself as a cylinder. In one aspect, the sun visor body 12 is configured to align the partially cylindrical segment 40 with a support rod 32 and may further have a diameter similar to (or at least approximately the same as) that of the support rod. In this arrangement, the mounting block 18 may include a housing 42 that defines a second hinge surface 24 by means of a recess 44 having a rounded profile extending through the housing 42. As can be understood, the rounded contour of the recessed portion 44 is constructed to match the outer contour of the cylindrical segment 40, such that the cylindrical segment 40 is nested within the recessed portion 44. Figure 7 and Figure 8As shown, the recessed portion 44 extends only partially around the cylindrical section 40, such as extending around the cylindrical section 40 at approximately 45°. As discussed further below, the arc length of the recessed portion 44, which varies significantly with the size of the cylindrical section 40, is configured to maintain the nested hinged arrangement of the cylindrical section 40 within the recessed portion 44, including resisting static and mobile friction between the hinged surfaces 14 and 24 under the attraction between the first magnet 16 and the second magnet 26, while allowing the cylindrical section 40 to be intentionally released from the recessed portion 44 by applying a force to the sun visor body 12 in a radial direction relative to the axis of rotation R.

[0032] In one aspect, such as Figure 7 As shown, mounting block 18 can be configured to release towards the adjacent side window 46 of vehicle 20 along a rotation path P away from windshield 30 by applying a force higher than the aforementioned bending threshold. In this respect, as is common in automotive sun visors, pivot mount 28 is further configured to allow the sun visor body 12 to rotate laterally outward to extend along the side window 46, thereby providing the use of the sun visor body 12 to shield the upper portion of the side window 46 when needed. To facilitate this movement, support rod 32 is pivotally engaged with pivot mount 28. As will be understood, this type of movement is typically provided in automotive sun visors by a side opposite to a mount similar to pivot mount 28, which is supported by a clamp that receives the rod portion of the sun visor. In this arrangement, the clamp has an open side facing away from windshield 30, allowing a user to grasp the sun visor and pull it away from windshield 30 to release the rod portion from the clamp. In this manner, the sun visor assembly 10 of the present invention uses the aforementioned attraction between the first magnetic element 16 and the second magnetic element 26 instead of such a clamp. Therefore, in one example, the release threshold for the sun visor body 12 to release from the mounting block 18 is configured to simulate the release force of a typical clamp arrangement, at least within the force application range from the direction away from the windshield 30 to the direction away from the headliner 22, as discussed further below. As will be understood, the automotive sun visor assembly 10 described herein is configured for the driver's side of the vehicle 20, wherein the passenger-side sun visor assembly 10 is generally configured as a mirror image of the depicted automotive sun visor assembly 10.

[0033] In one aspect, the sun visor body 12 of the present invention includes an electrochromic element 48, which is coupled to and thus held by a mounting structure 50. This arrangement is further described in co-pending, co-assigned U.S. Patent Application 63 / 602,165, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. In this manner, as discussed above, the electrochromic element 48 rotates generally with the rotation of the sun visor body 12. Examples of the structure of the electrochromic element 48 are discussed in further detail in the above-cited 63 / 602,165 application, but it should generally be understood that the electrochromic element 48 is configured to present a controllable level of light transmission through it. In various examples, transmission can range from near-total transmission (e.g., about 95% or more) to zero light transmission (i.e., complete opacity), depending on the current or potential applied to the electrochromic element. In this manner, the incorporation of the electrochromic element 48 allows the portion of the sun visor body 12 including the electrochromic element 48 to impart a certain level of selective transmissivity to the sun visor body 12, such that direct light can be reduced to a comfortable level without obstructing the view through the portion of the windshield 30 covered by the electrochromic element 48 (provided a certain level of transmissivity is maintained within the electrochromic element 48). In a variation of the sun visor body 12, the electrochromic element 48 may be replaced by an electronically controlled switchable mirror element, such as the electronically controlled switchable mirror element described in co-pending, co-assigned U.S. Patent Application 63 / 618,540, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.

[0034] like Figure 7 and Figure 8Further shown, the mounting structure 50 includes a first frame member 52 and a second frame member 54 that cooperatively hold at least a portion of the electrochromic element 48. As illustrated, the first frame member 52 and the second frame member 54 may be internal components of the sun visor body 12, such that the first frame member and the second frame member are enclosed within a first cover member 56 and a second cover member 58, which may extend above the first frame member 52 and the second frame member 54 to provide a desired decorative appearance. In one aspect, a first magnetic element 16 may be attached to one or both of the first frame member 52 and the second frame member 54. In this configuration, the first cover member 56 and the second cover member 58 may jointly define a cylindrical segment 40 and thus define a first hinge surface 14 by enclosing and at least partially surrounding the first magnetic element 16. In this respect, when the first hinge surface 14 and the second hinge surface 24 engage with each other, the cylindrical section 40 can be defined within a recess 59 of the sun visor body 12, which is sufficient to allow the desired range of movement of the sun visor body 12, as discussed above. Due to the magnetic attachment described herein, the cylindrical section 40 does not need to extend completely around the first magnetic element 16, and therefore does not require a full cut around the first magnetic element as is common in clamp-based automotive sun visor mounting arrangements.

[0035] As discussed above, the sun visor body 12 can be detached from the mounting block 18 at the first hinge surface 14 by a force greater than the aforementioned detachment force. In another aspect, the detachment force can be less than the breaking force of the electrochromic element 48. In this respect, a threshold for such a detachment force allows the sun visor body 12 to move toward the windshield 30 under forces applied to it (such as due to impacts from objects moving toward the sun visor body 12 from within the vehicle 20 during deployment), preventing damage to the electrochromic element 48 due to impact. Figure 11 and Figure 12 The diagram shows an example of the sun visor body 12 being released from the mounting block 18 and moving toward the windshield 30 into a release position. In a particular aspect, it may be desirable that the release force be considerably smaller than the breaking force of the electrochromic element 48, thereby allowing the sun visor body 12 to move relatively easily. Figure 6 In the rotational positioning. In a similar respect, it may be desirable to increase the force required to move the sun visor body 12 toward the windshield 30 to avoid unintentional movement like this. Therefore, as shown in the accompanying drawings, and especially in Figure 9 In this configuration, the second hinge surface 24 can be defined as having the aforementioned rounded profile extending to the leading edge 62 and the trailing edge 64. The trailing edge 64 can be configured to be spaced apart from the roof liner 22 by a distance greater than that between the leading edge 62 and the roof liner 22, such that the second hinge surface 24 is inclined away from the windshield 30.

[0036] like Figure 8 As shown, the positioning and arrangement of the second hinge surface 24 allows for the application of a magnetic force F extending through the apex 70 of the second hinge surface 24. M When a force is applied in the vertical horizontal direction, the initial movement of the first hinge surface 14 relative to the second hinge surface 24 is at an angle relative to the application of this force. More specifically, the force F applied horizontally in the direction away from the windshield 30... D This allows the cylindrical segment 40 to expand with a transition angle θ. D The movement, the unfolding transition angle corresponds to the tangent at the center of the contact area between the first hinge surface 14 and the second hinge surface 24 during this initial movement. In the illustrated embodiment, the unfolding transition angle θ D The angle is approximately 20° (+ / - 5%), and in one embodiment, the unfolding transition angle may be 20°. As further shown, the above arrangement, wherein the leading edge 62 of the second hinge surface 24 is vertically positioned below the trailing edge 64, can be achieved by requiring along... Figure 10 The path P shown moves above the trailing edge 64 to increase the force required to move the sun visor body 12 in the forward direction. Furthermore, this geometry allows for an impact transition angle θ. I Greater than the unfolded transition angle θ D With the transition angle θ of the expansion D Similarly, the impact transition angle θ I The impact force F applied at the level pointing towards the windshield 30 I The tangents at the contact centers between the lower first hinge surface 14 and the second hinge surface 24 correspond. In an embodiment of the invention, the impact transition angle... It is approximately 50° (+ / -5%), and in one embodiment, the impact transition angle may be 20°.

[0037] In the configuration of the present invention, the transition angle θ required to release the sunshade body 12 from the mounting block 18 (at the cylindrical section 40) (i.e., by overcoming the attraction between the first magnetic element 16 and the second magnetic element 26) is... N The horizontal force F is a function of N It can be determined by the following equation:

[0038] (1)

[0039] in:

[0040] Equal to the transition angle (between 0.1° and 70°);

[0041] This is equal to the effective magnetic force between the first magnetic element 16 and the second magnetic element 26 in the direction perpendicular to vertex 70; and

[0042] μ is equal to the static sliding friction coefficient between the first hinge surface 14 and the second hinge surface 24.

[0043] Figure 9 The result of equation (1) in the implementation of the structure described herein is shown (where μ and are constants having values ​​of 35 N and 0.15, as discussed above. In embodiments of the invention, the transition angle is achieved, as in the case of applying a horizontal force in the opposite direction. The forces F used for deployment (away from the windshield 30) are different on either side of the apex 70. D and the force F released upon impact (towards the windshield 30) I This will result in a change in the resulting magnitude. Specifically, it will be approximately 20° from the aforementioned unfolding transition angle θ. D This results in an unfolding force FD of approximately 20 N for releasing the sunshade body 12 from the mounting block 18 at the cylindrical section 40, and in a more specific embodiment, this unfolding force is approximately 19 N (all values ​​+ / - 5%). As can be understood, the unfolding transition angle θ... D The configuration below 45° results in a deployment force F D Below the effective magnetic force F M Similarly, the aforementioned impact transition angle θ is approximately 50°. I This enables the deployment force F used to release the sunshade body 12 from the mounting block 18 at the cylindrical section 40. D The force is approximately 60 N, and in a more specific embodiment, the deployment force is approximately 57 N (all values ​​+ / - 5%). As can be understood, the deployment transition angle θ... I The configuration above 45° increases the deployment force F D Greater than the effective magnetic force F M Based on the principles discussed herein, a specific geometry of the first transition surface (in particular, the relative positioning of the leading edge 62 with respect to the trailing edge 64) can be adjusted to achieve different transition angles θ. D and θ I This adjusts the relative release force F. D and F I Similarly, the first magnetic element 16 and the second magnetic element 26 can be configured to influence the magnetic force F. MTo achieve results different from those discussed above, based on the principles discussed herein, the sun visor assembly 10 is adapted to various additional factors to meet different needs. It should also be understood that, under real-world conditions and during use, the actual force applied to the sun visor body 12 may not be perfectly horizontal, and the magnetic force F may need to be overcome. M Therefore, the force required to release the sunshade body 12 from the mounting block 18 at the cylindrical section 40 is understood to correspond to the aforementioned release force. In this way, it should be understood that the release force can vary with the specific instantaneous direction of application, which includes, but is not limited to, the unfolding force F described herein. D and impact force F I The direction. Therefore, the separation force can also vary, and the above description generally defines the factors affecting the configuration of various components.

[0044] like Figures 7 to 12 As further shown, the second magnetic element 26, including magnets 66a and 66b, discussed above in this embodiment of the sun visor assembly 10 of the present invention, can be configured to follow the general shape of the first hinge surface 14. In this respect, magnets 66a and 66b may have a recessed lower surface 76 configured to receive the portion of the second hinge surface 24 applied in the mounting block 18. This configuration helps to maintain the aforementioned magnetic force FM by the described deployment force FD or impact force FI during the initial movement of the sun visor body 12, thereby helping to achieve the values ​​of such forces discussed above.

[0045] Generally, the release force can be calibrated or otherwise configured through the form and composition of the first magnetic element 16 and the second magnetic element 26. In one aspect, the first magnetic element 16 may be a steel rod segment that is attracted by a magnet but is not itself magnetized. In conjunction with this embodiment of the first magnetic element 16, the second magnetic element 26 may include at least one magnet. In this example, the second magnetic element 26 includes two magnets 66a and 66b joined by a steel plate 68. In one embodiment, magnets 66a and 66b may be neodymium magnets.

[0046] In another aspect, the automotive sun visor may also include a positioning sensor (e.g., as a printed circuit board (“PCB”) 60- Figure 8 The positioning sensor allows the electronic circuitry to determine whether the sun visor body 12 is in the deployed position. This determination allows the electronic circuitry to deactivate the electrochromic element 48 when the sun visor is in the retracted position, for example, to reduce power consumption. In this arrangement, the positioning sensor can be a Hall-effect sensor, which can be used to determine the positioning of the sun visor body 12 based on the positioning or orientation of the magnetic fields of magnets 66a and 66b relative to, for example, the PCB 60.

[0047] The invention disclosed herein is further summarized in the following paragraphs and is further characterized as any and all combinations of the aspects described herein.

[0048] According to another aspect of this disclosure, an automotive sun visor includes: a sun visor body including a first hinge surface and a first magnetic element disposed within the hinge surface; and a mounting block configured to attach to a vehicle along a portion of a headliner. The mounting block defines a second hinge portion and includes a second magnetic element disposed adjacent to the second hinge surface. The first and second magnets attract each other to maintain hinged contact between the first and second hinge surfaces under loads below a release threshold.

[0049] In the automotive sun visor of

[0031] , the sun visor body may define opposing first and second main surfaces and an upper edge extending between the first and second main surfaces, the first hinge surface may be defined as a partially cylindrical section extending along a portion of the upper edge, and the first magnetic element may be received within the partially cylindrical section.

[0050] In the automotive sun visor of

[0031] or

[0032] , the mounting block may include a housing that defines a second hinge surface by means of a recess having a rounded profile extending through a portion of the housing to a leading edge and a trailing edge, the trailing edge being configured to be spaced from the roof liner at a distance greater than the distance spaced from the leading edge, and a second magnetic element may be received in the housing.

[0051] In any of the automotive sun visors in

[0031] to

[0033] , the disengagement threshold can be configured to keep the first hinged surface in contact with the second hinged surface during rotation of the sun visor body between unfolded and positioned positions.

[0052] In any of the automotive sun visors described in

[0031] to

[0034] , the sun visor body may include an electrochromic element defining a planar width and height, and a mounting structure connected to the electrochromic element along a first side of the periphery of the electrochromic element, and a first hinged surface may be defined on the mounting structure.

[0053] Those skilled in the art will understand that the construction of the described disclosure and other components is not limited to any particular material. Unless otherwise described herein, other exemplary embodiments of the disclosure herein may be formed from a wide variety of materials.

[0054] It is also worth noting that the construction and arrangement of the elements of this disclosure shown in the exemplary embodiments are merely illustrative. Although only a few embodiments of the invention have been described in detail in this disclosure, those skilled in the art to which this disclosure pertains will readily appreciate that many modifications are possible (e.g., changes in the size, dimensions, structure, shape and proportion, parameter values, mounting arrangements, use of materials, color, orientation, etc.) without substantially departing from the novel teachings and advantages of the stated subject matter. Therefore, all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of this invention. Other substitutions, modifications, alterations, and omissions may be made in the design, operating conditions, and arrangement of desired and other exemplary embodiments without departing from the spirit of this invention.

[0055] It should be understood that any described process or step within a described process may be combined with other disclosed processes or steps to form a structure within the scope of this disclosure. The exemplary structures and processes disclosed herein are for illustrative purposes and should not be construed as limiting.

[0056] The above description is considered to be a description of preferred embodiments only. Modifications can be made to this invention by those skilled in the art and by those who have made or used this invention. Therefore, it should be understood that the embodiments shown in the accompanying drawings and described above are for illustrative purposes only and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention, which is defined by the appended claims as interpreted in accordance with the principles of patent law (including the doctrine of equivalents).

Claims

1. A car sun visor, characterized in that, include: A sunshade body, the sunshade body including a first hinge surface and a first magnetic element disposed within the hinge surface; as well as Mounting blocks configured to attach to a portion of the headliner of a vehicle define a second hinge surface and include a second magnetic element disposed adjacent to the second hinge surface. The first and second magnetic elements attract each other to maintain hinged contact between the first and second hinge surfaces under a force below a disengagement threshold applied to the sun visor body.

2. The car sun visor according to claim 1, characterized in that, The sunshade body defines an opposing first main surface and a second main surface, as well as an upper edge extending between the first main surface and the second main surface; The first hinge surface is defined as a partially cylindrical segment extending along a portion of the upper edge; and The first magnetic element is received within the partially cylindrical section.

3. The car sun visor according to claim 1, characterized in that, The mounting block includes a housing that defines the second hinge surface by means of a recessed portion having a rounded profile extending through a portion of the housing to a leading edge and a trailing edge, the trailing edge being configured to be spaced from the roof liner at a distance greater than the distance spaced from the leading edge; and The second magnetic element is housed within the housing.

4. The car sun visor according to claim 1, characterized in that, The disengagement threshold is configured to maintain the first hinge surface in contact with the second hinge surface during rotation of the sun visor body between an unfolded position and at least one of a plurality of use positions.

5. The car sun visor according to claim 4, characterized in that, The second hinge surface is configured such that the disengagement threshold varies with the direction of the force applied to the sun visor body.

6. The car sun visor according to claim 5, characterized in that, The second hinge surface is configured with a leading edge and a trailing edge, the leading edge being positioned closer to the vehicle windshield than the trailing edge and vertically positioned below the trailing edge, such that the disengagement threshold corresponding to an impact force horizontally directed towards the windshield on the sun visor body is greater than the disengagement threshold corresponding to an unfolding force horizontally directed away from the windshield.

7. The car sun visor according to claim 6, characterized in that, The leading edge is vertically positioned below the trailing edge such that the second hinge surface is defined: The first hinge surface and the second hinge surface have an impact transition angle of approximately 50°; and The first hinge surface and the second hinge surface have an unfolding transition angle of approximately 20°.

8. The car sun visor according to claim 6, characterized in that, The departure threshold corresponding to the impact force exerted horizontally on the sun visor body towards the windshield is between 55 N and 65 N; and The release threshold corresponding to the horizontally directed unfolding force away from the windshield is between 18 N and 30 N.

9. The car sun visor according to claim 6, characterized in that, The release threshold, corresponding to the release force on the sun visor body in a direction vertically away from the apex of the second hinge surface, is approximately 35 N.

10. The car sun visor according to claim 6, characterized in that, The leading edge is about 2 mm lower than the trailing edge.

11. The car sun visor according to claim 1, characterized in that, The sunshade body includes an electrochromic element that defines the plane width and height.

12. The car sun visor according to claim 11, characterized in that, The second hinge surface is configured such that the disengagement threshold corresponding to the impact force on the sun visor body pointing horizontally toward the vehicle windshield is less than the breaking force of the electrochromic element.

13. The car sun visor according to claim 11, characterized in that, Also includes: A controller configured to apply a voltage corresponding to the transmissivity state of the electrochromic element to the electrochromic element; and a positioning sensor, wherein the positioning sensor is disposed within the sunshade body, wherein: The positioning sensor communicates with the controller; and The controller uses positioning information from the positioning sensor to control at least one operating characteristic of the electrochromic element, including a transmissivity state.

14. A car sun visor, characterized in that, include: A sunshade body, the sunshade body including a first hinge surface and a first magnetic element disposed within the hinge surface; as well as Mounting block configured to attach to a vehicle along a portion of the headliner, the mounting block defining a second hinge surface, a leading edge, and a trailing edge, the leading edge being locating closer to the vehicle windshield than the trailing edge and vertically positioned below the trailing edge, the mounting block also including a second magnetic element disposed adjacent to the second hinge surface, the first magnetic element and the second magnetic element attracting each other to maintain hinged contact between the first hinge surface and the second hinge surface under a force applied to the sun visor body below a disengagement threshold, the disengagement threshold varying with the direction of the force applied to the sun visor body; The detachment threshold corresponding to the impact force that is horizontally directed towards the windshield on the sun visor body is greater than the detachment force corresponding to the unfolding force that is horizontally directed away from the windshield.

15. The car sun visor according to claim 14, characterized in that, The leading edge is vertically positioned below the trailing edge such that the second hinge surface is defined: The first hinge surface and the second hinge surface have an impact transition angle of approximately 50°; and The first hinge surface and the second hinge surface have an unfolding transition angle of approximately 20°.

16. The car sun visor according to claim 14, characterized in that, The release force corresponding to the impact force horizontally directed at the windshield from the sun visor body is between 55 N and 65 N; and The release force, corresponding to the horizontally directed unfolding force away from the windshield, is between 18 N and 30 N.

17. The car sun visor according to claim 14, characterized in that, The release threshold, corresponding to the release force on the sun visor body in a direction vertically away from the apex of the second hinge surface, is approximately 35 N.

18. The car sun visor according to claim 14, characterized in that, The sunshade body includes an electrochromic element that defines the plane width and height.

19. The automotive sun visor according to claim 18, characterized in that, The second hinge surface is configured such that the disengagement threshold corresponding to the impact force on the sun visor body pointing horizontally toward the vehicle windshield is less than the breaking force of the electrochromic element.

20. A sun visor system for a vehicle with a windshield, characterized in that, include: A sunshade body, the sunshade body including a first hinge surface and a first magnetic element disposed within the hinge surface; as well as Mounting blocks configured to attach to a vehicle along a portion of the headliner, the mounting blocks defining a second hinge surface and including a second magnetic element disposed adjacent to the second hinge surface, the first magnetic element and the second magnetic element attracting each other to maintain hinged contact between the first hinge surface and the second hinge surface under a force below a disengagement threshold applied to the sun visor body, the disengagement threshold being configured to maintain contact between the first hinge surface and the second hinge surface during rotation of the sun visor body between an deployed position and at least one of a plurality of use positions; A positioning sensor is installed inside the sun visor body and detects the magnetic field associated with the second magnetic element; An electrochromic element that can be configured among multiple transmissive states in response to voltage application; as well as A controller configured to apply the voltage to the electrochromic element and communicate with the positioning sensor, the controller using positioning information from the positioning sensor to control at least one operating characteristic of the electrochromic element, including the transmissivity state.

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