VEHICLE BLIND SYSTEMS WITH MULTIDIRECTIONAL SHADING

Abstract

Blind systems for a vehicle comprise a blind body connected to the vehicle via a hinge system. The blind body acts as the primary light shield. A cover is connected to the blind body via another hinge system. The cover acts as a secondary light shield. A mirror is attached to the blind body, and the cover selectively covers the mirror.

Description

INTRODUCTION

[0001] The present disclosure relates generally to vehicle sun visors that block light from reaching a passenger, and more particularly to visor systems that provide multi-directional shading.

[0002] A vehicle typically has a windshield, a rear window, and side windows through which light can enter the vehicle's interior. Front-seat passengers are particularly exposed to light entering both the windshield and the side windows. The light can come from various sources, each with varying intensities. Some light sources may be lower in intensity and don't necessarily need to be shaded. Others, such as direct sunlight, may be higher in intensity, so some means of at least partial shading may be desirable.

[0003] In certain situations, it may be desirable to protect passengers' eyes from light entering the vehicle interior. Because roads are winding and driving routes include curves, the direction from which light sources enter the vehicle can change constantly. Accounting for these changes in direction may be necessary repeatedly, which may require adjusting a sun visor to achieve the desired shading effect. For example, when driving into the sun, the driver can lower the sun visor over part of the windshield. When the vehicle turns right, the driver can rotate the sun visor away from the windshield to shade part of the driver's side window. Over the course of a journey, this may require a large number of repeated adjustments.

[0004] Therefore, it is desirable to offer vehicle sun visors that are suitable for different light sources and directions of travel. This can preferably be achieved by minimizing the number of manual adjustments. Furthermore, other desirable features and characteristics of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description and the appended claims, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and the foregoing introduction.

[0005] DE 20 2004 019 203 U1 describes a double sun visor for vehicles consisting of an elongated side sun visor that forms a single unit with the elongated front sun visor. When the front sun visor is folded up, the side sun visor is located at the top of the entire double sun visor.

[0006] US 2018 / 0 297 453 A1 describes a sun visor extension that attaches to a vehicle's existing sun visor and provides bidirectional sun protection. It allows the user to adjust the visor for the front and side windows as needed and can be folded away to save space when not in use.

[0007] US 2022 / 0 118 828 A1 describes a multi-part sun visor mounted on at least part of a vehicle, comprising a first section with a first body mounted above the windshield of the vehicle to prevent the penetration of outside light. A second section includes a second body that also prevents the penetration of outside light, and a pivot arm that is pivotally mounted at a first end in a part of the second body and connected to the first body at a second end. The pivot arm can be rotated in a first direction towards the first body and in a second direction at least partially away from the first body, such that in the second position the second body lies at least partially over a side window of the vehicle. DESCRIPTION

[0008] The object of the invention is to improve user-friendliness. This object is achieved by the subject matter according to claim 1. Further developments can be found in the subclaims.

[0009] Systems are provided for shading the light entering a vehicle. A shade system comprises a shade body connected to the vehicle via a hinge system. The shade body acts as a primary light shield. A cover is connected to the shade body via another hinge system. The cover acts as a secondary light shield. A mirror is attached to the shade body, and the cover selectively covers the mirror.

[0010] In further embodiments, the hinge system comprises a ball joint with which the cover can be moved in several axes relative to the panel body.

[0011] In further embodiments, the one hinge system comprises a removable hinge configured to separate the cover from the panel body.

[0012] In further embodiments, the cover comprises an extension that extends the cover in length from the panel body.

[0013] In further embodiments, the cover comprises a boundary portion defining an opening and a door connected to the boundary portion by a third hinge system.

[0014] In further embodiments, the vehicle includes a front windshield and a side window, wherein the visor body extends over the front windshield while the cover extends over the side window to simultaneously shade both front and side light.

[0015] In further embodiments, the cover comprises a boundary section defining an opening and a door connected to the boundary section by a third hinge system. The opening adapts to the mirror, so that the door alternately covers and reveals the mirror.

[0016] In other versions, a lamp is mounted on the panel next to the mirror. A switch activates the lamp when the door is opened.

[0017] In further embodiments, the one hinge system comprises a ball joint and a removable hinge, wherein the ball joint is configured to allow the cover to move in multiple axes relative to the panel body when the removable hinge is removed.

[0018] In further embodiments, a lamp is attached to the shade body, the lamp being configured to remain off when the cover is opened for shading purposes.

[0019] In a number of further embodiments, a visor system for a vehicle comprises a visor body connected to the vehicle via a hinge system, wherein the visor body is designed as the first visor. A cover is connected to the visor body by another hinge system. The cover is designed to provide additional light protection. A mirror is attached to the visor body. When closed, the cover selectively covers the mirror. A door is connected to the cover via a third hinge system. When the cover is closed, the mirror is exposed through the door.

[0020] In further embodiments, the hinge system comprises a ball joint with which the cover can be moved in several axes relative to the panel body.

[0021] In further embodiments, the one hinge system comprises a removable hinge that separates the cover from the panel body.

[0022] In further embodiments, the cover comprises an extension that extends the cover in length from the panel body.

[0023] In further embodiments, the cover includes a limiting portion defining an opening. The door is actuated to close the opening.

[0024] In other embodiments, the vehicle has a front windshield and a side window. The visor body extends over the front windshield, while the cover extends over the side window to simultaneously shade the front and side lights.

[0025] In further embodiments, the cover includes a limiting portion defining an opening. The opening engages with the mirror, allowing the door to alternately cover and reveal the mirror.

[0026] In other versions, a lamp is mounted on the panel next to the mirror. A switch activates the lamp when the door is opened.

[0027] In further embodiments, the hinge system comprises a ball joint and a removable hinge. The ball joint allows the cover to be moved in multiple axes relative to the panel body when the removable hinge is removed.

[0028] In a number of other embodiments, the visor system for a vehicle includes a visor body connected to the vehicle via a hinge system. The visor body serves as a light shield. A cover is connected to the visor body by another hinge system. The cover serves as another light shield. A mirror is attached to the visor body. When closed, the cover selectively covers the mirror. A door is connected to the cover by an additional hinge system. The door is actuated to selectively release the mirror when the cover is closed. One of the hinge systems includes a removable hinge and a multi-axis hinge that allows movement of the cover in multiple axes relative to the visor body. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0029] The exemplary embodiments are described below in conjunction with the following drawing figures, wherein like reference numerals denote like elements and wherein: Fig. 1 is a schematic representation of a vehicle having a blind system in accordance with various embodiments; Fig. 2 a schematic, perspective view of the aperture system of Fig. 1 is in accordance with various embodiments; Fig. 3 a schematic, perspective view of the aperture system of Fig. 1 with an open mirror cover according to various embodiments; Fig. 4 a schematic, perspective view of a detachable hinge of the panel system of Fig. 1 is in accordance with various designs; Fig. 5 a schematic, perspective view of a multidirectional hinge of the diaphragm system of Fig. 1 is in accordance with various designs; Fig. 6 a schematic, perspective view of the aperture system of Fig. 1 with the mirror cover open and the extendable light shield extended in accordance with various designs; and Fig. 7 a schematic, perspective view of the aperture system of Fig. 1 with an open mirror cover opening in accordance with various designs. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0030] The following detailed description is merely exemplary in nature and is not intended to limit the application and uses. Furthermore, there is no intention to be bound by any express or implied theory presented in the preceding introduction, brief summary, or the following detailed description.

[0031] With reference to Fig. 1 shows an example of a vehicle 100 having a body 102 enclosing an interior 104 with a panel system 106. As shown in Fig. 1, the vehicle 100 generally comprises a structure including the body 102 supported on wheel assemblies 108, for example, by a suspension assembly (not shown). The body 102 may be of various types that define a physical form for the desired purposes. The body 102 substantially encloses components of the vehicle 100 and defines exterior surfaces facing outward 110 and defines the interior space 104. The wheel assemblies 108 are each rotatably supported near a corner of the housing 102. In various embodiments, the vehicle 100 may be a front-wheel drive vehicle, a rear-wheel drive vehicle, or an all-wheel drive vehicle with any number of wheels, although other drive arrangements are also contemplated.

[0032] The propulsion of the vehicle 100, e.g., on a roadway, is provided by a drive system (not shown). The drive system may be of various types, such as electric drive, internal combustion engine, hybrid drive, or others. The torque generated by the drive system is transferred to the wheel assemblies 108 to propel the vehicle 100, which may be under manual and / or autonomous control.

[0033] In the present embodiment, the body 102 includes a series of openings with glass windows, including a windshield 112 and side windows 114, 116. During operation of the vehicle 100, light sources 118 on the exterior 110, such as the sun, may emit light 120 that passes through the windshield 112 and / or the side windows 114, 116 into the interior 104. The intensity and direction of the light 120 may change repeatedly during operation of the vehicle 100. The visor system 106 selectively shields the light 120 from directly shining onto passengers, such as the driver of the vehicle 100.

[0034] With additional reference to Fig. 2 with continued reference to Fig. 1, the visor system 106 includes a visor assembly 122. In the present embodiment, the visor assembly 122 is provided for the driver's side of the vehicle 100. It should be understood that the passenger side and / or other passenger locations within the vehicle 100 may have similar arrangements to the visor assembly 122. In this embodiment, the visor assembly 122 is connected to the housing 102 at the top of the windshield 112 by hinges 130, 132. The hinges 130, 132 allow the visor body 134 to be positioned at various angles relative to the windshield 112. For example, the visor body 134 can be rotated upward (raised) to expose more of the windshield 112 and rotated downward (lowered) to cover more of the windshield 112.A cover 136 is located on a side 138 of the visor body 134 that faces into the interior space 104 when the visor body 134 is lowered as shown. In the present embodiment, the cover 136 is a mirror cover. The visor body 134 may be made of a material such as expanded polypropylene covered with a fabric layer or of another substantially rigid construction.

[0035] As in Fig. 3, the cover 136 (shown open) is connected to the visor body 134 by a hinge system including an upper hinge 140 and a lower hinge 142. The upper hinge 140 and the lower hinge 142 are located on the outer edge 144 (relative to the vehicle 100) of the cover 136. In Fig. 3, the cover 136 is pivoted on the upper hinge 140 and the lower hinge 142 to an open position, exposing a mirror 146 on the visor body 134. In this open position, the cover 136 is positioned along the side window 114 to shield the light passing therethrough. As shown, the visor body 134 shields the light 120 entering through the windshield 112, and the cover 136 simultaneously shields the light 120 entering through the side window 114.

[0036] With reference to Fig. 4, the lower hinge 142 is shown in isolation. Generally, the lower hinge 142 is a removable connection that pivotally secures the cover 136 to the panel body 134. The lower hinge 142 can be selectively released to allow the cover 136 to move in any direction relative to the panel body 134, in addition to the pivotal movement permitted in the attached state. The lower hinge 142 includes a pin 148, which in this embodiment is attached to the panel body 134, and a pair of brackets 150, 152 attached to the cover 136. The clips 150, 152 have openings 154, 156 that receive the pin 148, with mouths 158, 159 that engage with the openings 154, 156 and allow the clips 150, 152 to releasably clip onto the pin 148. An interference fit is provided, so a force must be applied to move the pin 148 through the openings 158, 159.

[0037] The upper hinge 140 is in Fig. 5. In this embodiment, the upper hinge 140 is a ball and socket joint that provides multiple degrees of freedom in the movement of the cover 136 relative to the panel body 134 (e.g., in the x, y, and z directions, as well as rotation about three axes). For example, when the cover 136 is opened, the lower hinge 142 can be released, and the upper hinge 140 allows the cover 136 to move up and down relative to the panel body 134 and to rotate relative to it. In other embodiments, a different shape of joint may be used in the upper hinge 140 to provide multi-directional movement for adjusting the cover 136 in multiple directions.

[0038] With reference to Fig. In Figure 6, the cover 136 is shown in the open position with the extension 151 in the extended state. The extension 151 is a portion of the cover 136 that is slidably connected to adjust the length of the cover 136 from the visor body 134 to its connecting end 153. The extension 151 can be slid to extend the cover 136, thus providing additional shading at the rear of the side window 114. The extension 151 can be received in grooves, a pocket, or other features of the cover 136.

[0039] As in Fig. 7, the cover 136 includes a limiting portion 160 and a door 162. The door 162 is in Fig. 7 shown in an open position (in Fig.2, the door 162 is shown closed. The limiting portion 160 of the cover 136 is connected to the panel body 134 by the upper hinge 140 and the lower hinge 142. The limiting portion 160 defines an opening 164 that is alternately opened and closed by the door 162. The door 162 is connected to the limiting portion 160 along its edge 166 by a hinge 168. A mirror 170 is attached to the panel body 134 and is accessible when the door 162 is open. In this context, the opening 164 engages the mirror 170 when the door 162 is opened. The lamps 172, 174 are arranged adjacent to the mirror 170 on the panel body 134. A switch 176 is actuated by the door 162 so that the switch 176 activates the lamps 172, 174 when the door 162 is opened relative to the limiting portion 160.In this way, the lamps 172, 174 are not switched on when the cover 136 is opened relative to the panel body 134 by rotating the upper hinge 140 and the lower hinge 142 with the door 162 closed.

[0040] Accordingly, the lamps 172, 174 are not switched on when the cover 136 is opened for shading purposes and are switched on when the door 162 is opened.

[0041] Accordingly, blind systems with multidirectional shading capabilities are offered. While at least one exemplary embodiment has been presented in the foregoing detailed description, it should be understood that numerous variations exist. It is also understood that the exemplary embodiment or exemplary embodiments are merely examples and are not intended to limit the scope, applicability, or configuration of the disclosure in any way. Rather, the foregoing detailed description provides those skilled in the art with a convenient roadmap for implementing the exemplary embodiment or exemplary embodiments.It is understood that various changes in the function and arrangement of elements may be made without departing from the scope of the disclosure as set forth in the appended claims and their legal equivalents.

Claims

[1] A diaphragm system (106) for a vehicle, comprising: a visor body (134) connected to the vehicle (100) via a first hinge system, the visor body (134) being designed as a first light shield; a cover (136) connected to the visor body (134) via a second hinge system, the cover (136) being configured as a second light shield; and a mirror (146) on the visor body (134), the cover (136) being designed to selectively cover the mirror (146), wherein the second hinge system comprises a ball joint (140) and a removable hinge (142), wherein the ball joint (140) is configured such that the cover (136) can move in multiple axes relative to the panel body (134) when the removable hinge (142) is removed, wherein the removable hinge (142) comprises a pin (148) attached to the panel body (134) and a pair of clips (150, 152) attached to the cover (136), the clips (150, 152) having openings (154, 156) that receive the pin (148) with mouths (158, 159) that engage with the openings (154, 156) and that allow the clips (150, 152) to releasably clip onto the pin (148), wherein the cover (136) has a limiting portion (160) defining an opening (164) and a door (162) connected to the limiting portion (160) by a third hinge system, the opening (164) engaging with the mirror such that the door (162) is configured to alternately cover and uncover the mirror, comprising a lamp (172, 174) on the visor body (134) adjacent to the mirror and comprising a switch (176) configured to activate the lamp (172, 174) when the door (162) is opened, wherein the lamp (172, 174) is configured to remain off when the cover (136) is opened for shading purposes. [2] The aperture system (106) of claim 1, wherein the cover (136) includes an extension configured to extend the cover (136) in length from the aperture body (134). [3] The panel system (106) of claim 1, wherein the cover (136) includes a boundary portion (160) defining an opening (164) and a door (162) connected to the boundary portion (160) by a third hinge system. [4] The visor system (106) of claim 1, wherein the vehicle (100) has a front windshield and a side window, the visor body (134) extending over the front windshield while the cover extends over the side window to simultaneously shade both front and side light.

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