SUN VISOR

Abstract

------ SUN VISOR The invention relates to a sun visor (101) comprising two arms (127, 128) and a screen (122), each arm (127, 128) being configured to move between a closed position and an extended position, the screen (122) having an upper side (124), to which the arms (127, 128) are movably connected, the closed position corresponding to the retracted position of the screen (122), the extended position corresponding to the extended position of the screen (122), a drive mechanism (110) being further mounted on the rotation axis of a first arm (127), a transmission mechanism (133, 129, 134) being mounted between the first arm (127) and the second arm (128) for rotating the second arm (128) in the direction opposite to the direction of rotation of the first arm (127), the sun visor (101) further comprising a control member. Figure to be published with the abstract: Figure 3

Description

Title of the invention: SUN VISOR

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of sun visors, and relates more particularly to a mechanically deployable sun visor.

[0002] Sun visors integrated into the passenger compartment of vehicles are known. However, such devices do not allow the length of the windshield to be covered continuously and are limited in the width direction. They are most of the time universal, therefore difficult to adapt to different types of windshields, and are generally tedious to deploy due to the inclination of the windshield.

[0003] There is therefore a need for a sun visor that provides optimal coverage of the windshield, is easy to use and install.

[0004] The Applicant therefore proposes to meet these needs by using a sun visor comprising a screen capable of being deployed mechanically by arms, automatically or manually.

[0005] The present invention therefore relates to a sun visor, characterized in that it comprises a housing, two arms and a rectangular flexible screen, mounted in a longitudinal direction of the housing, each arm being pivotally mounted by one of its ends at one of the ends in the longitudinal direction of the housing, each arm being configured to move between a closed position, in which the arm extends parallel to the longitudinal direction of the housing, and a deployed position, in which the arm is perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the housing, the screen having a lower side fixed to the housing and an opposite upper side, to which the other end of the arms is movably connected, the closed position of the arms corresponding to the retracted position of the screen, the deployed position of the arms corresponding to the deployed position of the screen with the upper edge of the screen, opposite the lower edge,stretched and parallel to the longitudinal direction of the housing, a drive mechanism being further mounted on the axis of rotation of a first arm to drive the first arm in rotation, a transmission mechanism being mounted between the first arm and the second arm so that the rotation of the first arm simultaneously drives the second arm in rotation in the direction opposite to the direction of rotation of the first arm, the sun visor further comprising a control member for the drive mechanism.

[0006] Thus, it is possible to deploy, partially or totally, the screen with a simple and robust structure, because the arms are driven simultaneously by a single drive mechanism.

[0007] The arms constitute the side edges of the deployed screen.

[0008] According to one embodiment, the transmission mechanism comprises two pulleys, each associated with a respective arm rotation axis and secured to it and mounted on an axis of rotation parallel to the axis of rotation of the arms, and a belt connecting the pulleys, the belt rotating the second arm in the direction of rotation opposite to that of the first arm.

[0009] According to one embodiment, the pulleys are mounted on the axis of rotation of the arms, the belt being mounted in a figure eight on the pulleys.

[0010] According to another embodiment, a toothed wheel is mounted integral with the axis of rotation of one of the arms, the transmission mechanism comprising an intermediate toothed wheel, meshed with the toothed wheel mounted on the axis of rotation of said arm, and mounted on the axis of rotation of the pulley associated with said arm, said pulley axis of rotation extending parallel to the axis of rotation of said arm, the pulley associated with the other arm being mounted on the axis of rotation of the other arm, a belt connecting the two pulleys.

[0011] According to one embodiment, the arms comprise a threaded rod and a tapped hollow rod, the threaded rod being movably received in the hollow rod, the threaded rod being connected to the screen and the hollow rod being connected to the housing.

[0012] Thus, the sun visor can be adapted to different sizes of vehicle glazing, before or after its installation.

[0013] According to one embodiment, the housing comprises a drum rotatably mounted in the housing along an axis parallel to the longitudinal direction of the housing and a return means associated with the drum, the screen being connected by its lower edge to the drum and capable of rolling up onto the drum when the two arms fold.

[0014] It is understood that the drive mechanism will be sized relative to the drum return means to allow deployment of the screen, namely a drive force greater than the return force exerted by the drum return means on the screen.

[0015] According to one embodiment, the end of the arms connected to the screen comprises rollers mounted to move in grooves of a rod mounted on the upper edge of the screen.

[0016] Thus, it is possible to deploy the screen without excessive tension.

[0017] According to one embodiment, the housing is equipped with suction cups for fixing the housing to a window.

[0018] According to one embodiment, the sun visor comprises at least one sensor among a brightness sensor, a temperature sensor, an end-of-travel sensor, a switch and a clock, the control member controlling the drive mechanism according to the data received from the at least one sensor.

[0019] According to one embodiment, the drive mechanism is one of a crank and an electric motor, the electric motor then being powered by a power supply. electrical power supply and the control unit being an electronic control unit powered by the electrical power supply.

[0020] The power supply may be a battery integrated into the sun visor, autonomous (batteries) or capable of being charged wired (USB cable), and may be detachable or non-detachable from the sun visor.

[0021] The control member may be a simple switch, or more generally any human-machine interface, comprising one or more control buttons on the sun visor, optionally a display screen, touch-sensitive or not. It is understood that it is also possible to provide communication means, wired or wireless (Bluetooth®, Wifi®, etc.), to communicate with the control member, for example by means of a smartphone, a tablet, a remote control or a computer, in order to control the sun visor or to know the status of the various components of the sun visor (remaining life, battery charge, etc.).

[0022] To better illustrate the object of the present invention, several embodiments will now be described below, for informational and non-limiting purposes, with reference to the appended drawings.

[0023] In these drawings:

[0024] [Fig. 1] is a perspective and exploded view according to a first embodiment of the present invention;

[0025] [Fig.2] is a perspective view of the sun visor according to [Fig.l];

[0026] [Fig.3] is a perspective view according to a second embodiment of the present invention; and

[0027] [Fig.4] is a perspective view of the second embodiment of the present invention from another angle.

[0028] Referring to Figures 1 and 2, it can be seen that a sun visor 1 is shown according to a first embodiment. The sun visor 1 comprises a housing 2 in which an opening 3 is formed in the longitudinal direction thereof, on the upper face of the housing 2 as shown in the Figures. Preferably, a cover closing this opening 3 in use of the sun visor 1, and comprising an opening for the passage of the arms, can be provided for a better aesthetic appearance of the sun visor in use.

[0029] The housing 2 comprises a first wheel 4 and a second wheel 5, mounted respectively on a first axis of rotation 6 and a second axis of rotation 7, parallel. The first and second wheels 4, 5 are contained in the same plane. Advantageously, the first and second wheels 4, 5 are arranged respectively at the ends 8 of the opening 3 of the housing 2. The first wheel 4 is connected by a transmission shaft 9, extending the axis of rotation 6 of the first wheel 4, to a motor 10 also received in the housing 2 (the cover closing the compartment of the motor 10 of the housing 2 is shown in [Fig.2]), preferably in a separate housing as shown, and configured to drive the first wheel 4 in rotation. An integrated control member is provided to control the motor 10, for example a switch or more generally any human-machine interface (buttons, screen, application on a portable smart device such as a smartphone or tablet communicating wirelessly or wired with the control member). Alternatively, it will be understood that the control member can be remote from the motor, and can comprise a calculation means (processor, microprocessor, microcontroller, programmable gate array (FPGA), application-specific component (ASIC), digital signal processor (DSP)) associated with memory (read-only or read-only) comprising a program for operating the motor and with wireless (Bluetooth®, Wifi®, etc.) or wired (USB) communication means.Advantageously, an Arduino® board can be a good example of a control unit.

[0030] A first pulley 11 is mounted so as to rotate on the axis of rotation 6 of the first wheel 4. Thus, the first wheel 4 and the first pulley 11 are configured to rotate in the same direction. A second pulley 12 is also mounted so as to rotate on the second axis of rotation 7. Thus, the second wheel 5 and the second pulley 12 are configured to rotate in the same direction. The first and second pulleys 11, 12 are contained in the same plane, parallel to that containing the first and second wheels 4, 5.

[0031] A belt 13 (shown exploded in [Fig.l]) is mounted on the first and second pulleys 11, 12 and twisted in a figure eight. The belt 13 is configured to be driven by the first pulley 11 connected to the motor 10 and is configured to in turn drive the second pulley 12. Because the belt 13 is mounted in a figure eight on the pulleys 11, 12, the second pulley 12 is driven in rotation in the direction opposite to the direction of rotation of the first pulley 11.

[0032] The sun visor 1 also comprises a first arm 14 and a second arm 15, each arm 14, 15 being mounted integrally by a first end 16 to the first and second wheels 4, 5, respectively. The arms 14, 15 are configured to move between a closed position in which the arm 14, 15 extends parallel to the opening 3, and a deployed position in which the arm 14, 15 is perpendicular to the direction of the opening 3, as can be seen in [Fig. 2] representing the deployed state. The second end 17 is provided with rollers 18, configured to move in grooves 19 of a rod 20, of a length equivalent to or substantially less than that of the opening 3 (or of the passage opening formed in a cover closing the opening 3 in use) to advantageously close the opening 3 when the arms 14, 15 and therefore the screen 22 are folded.

[0033] According to the embodiment shown in Figures 1-2, the arms 14, 15 comprise a threaded hollow rod 14a, 15a and a threaded rod 14b, 15b, the threaded rod 14b, 15b being movably received in the corresponding hollow rod 14a, 15a.

[0034] The length of the arms 14, 15 is thus previously adjusted before installing the sun visor 1, according to the dimensions of the windshield.

[0035] The housing 2 comprises a drum 21 rotatably mounted in the housing 2 along an axis parallel to the direction of the opening 3. The sun visor 1 also comprises a rectangular flexible screen 22 having a lower edge 23 by which the screen 22 is wound onto the drum 21. To do this and, as is known, a return means integrated into the drum 1 is provided. The rod 20 is mounted on the upper edge 24, opposite the lower edge 23, of the screen 22.

[0036] Thus, the closed position of the arms 14, 15 corresponds to the retracted position of the screen 22 in the housing 2, wound on the drum 21, and the deployed position of the arms 14, 15 corresponds to the deployed position of the screen 22 outside the housing 2, with the upper edge 24 of the screen 22 stretched and parallel to the opening 2 of the housing 3, as can be seen in [Fig.2].

[0037] The motor 10 and the transmission shaft 9 constitute a drive mechanism for the arms 14, 15. Thus, when the motor 10 rotates the transmission shaft 9 in a first direction, the first wheel 4 is rotated in this first direction, and thus the first arm 14 is rotated in the first direction. Since the first pulley 11 is mounted on the same rotation axis 6, the first pulley 11 rotates simultaneously in said first direction of rotation. Because the belt 13 is mounted in a figure eight, it rotates the second pulley 12 in the direction opposite to said first direction of rotation. Since the second pulley 12 is mounted on the same rotation axis 7 as the second wheel 5, the second wheel 5 rotates simultaneously in the direction opposite to said first direction of rotation, and the second arm 15 is rotated in the direction opposite to the first direction.Thus, the first and second arms 14, 15 are driven simultaneously in rotation in opposite directions, the axis of rotation of the first and second arms 14, 15 corresponding to the axes of rotation 6, 7 of the first and second wheels 4, 5, respectively, to ensure the simultaneous movement of the arms 14, 15 in the direction of deployment of the screen 22 or its retraction.

[0038] The first pulley 11, the second pulley 12 and the belt 13 constitute a transmission mechanism mounted between the first and second arms 14, 15 to drive the second arm 15 in rotation in the direction opposite to the direction of rotation of the first arm 14.

[0039] The deployment of the arms 14, 15 simultaneously leads to pulling the screen 22 out of the housing 2 and therefore to its unwinding from the drum 21, this being made possible by the rollers 18 which are movable and guided in the grooves 19 of the rod 20 fixed to the upper edge of the screen 22. It is understood that the motor 10 is sized as a function of the return means of the drum 21 to allow, when it is actuated, to develop a force greater than that exerted by the return means of the drum 21 on the screen 22 to authorize the deployment of the arms 14, 15.

[0040] A rotation of the motor 10 in the direction opposite to the first direction leads to the redeployment of the arms 14, 15 and to the winding of the screen 22 onto the drum 21 when the two arms 14, 15 fold back.

[0041] Because the arms 14, 15 comprise a movable threaded rod 14b, 15b movable in a hollow rod 14a, 15a, such a configuration allows the height adjustment of the arms 14, 15 and therefore the maximum deployment of the screen 22 depending on the size of the windshield on which it is installed, making it a universal sun visor.

[0042] Advantageously, the sun visor 1 comprises at least one sensor from among a brightness sensor, a temperature sensor and a clock, a switch, an end-of-travel sensor, the control member controlling the motor according to the data received from the at least one sensor. The sensor(s) can be controlled by the control member, and in particular the end-of-travel sensor to stop the motor 10 when the arms 14, 15 are fully deployed.

[0043] In the embodiment shown, the drive mechanism is an electric motor powered by a power supply, the control member being an electronic control unit powered by a power supply and actuated by a switch or any human-machine interface (not shown). As a variant of the motor 10, the drive mechanism may be a crank.

[0044] Advantageously, a side wall 25 of the housing 2 is equipped with suction cups 26 configured to allow the housing 2 to be fixed to a vehicle window, in particular a windshield, in a removable manner.

[0045] Alternatively, the rods may be made in one piece as will be described below.

[0046] In Figures 3 and 4, it can be seen that a sun visor 101 is shown according to a second embodiment.

[0047] The sun visor 101 is similar to the sun visor 1 according to the first embodiment described above. Elements of the sun visor identical or analogous to the elements of the sun visor 1 of the first embodiment, and described with reference to Figures 1-2, will bear the same reference numeral increased by 100, and will not be described in further detail here.

[0048] In this embodiment, the housing 102 further comprises two uprights 102a, 102b, at each end, the upright 102a enclosing the motor 110. Suction cups 126 are mounted on each of the uprights 102a, 102b, to allow the bumper to be fixed sun 101 on the inside of a windshield.

[0049] The second embodiment differs from the first embodiment in that the first and second arms 127, 128 of the sun visor 101 are made in one piece. As before, the arms 127, 128 are connected to the housing 102 by a first end 116 and to the screen 122 by a second end 117, provided with rollers 118 configured to be movable and guided in grooves 119 of a rod 120 mounted on the upper side 124 of the screen 122.

[0050] Furthermore, the second embodiment differs from the first embodiment in that it comprises a third wheel 129. The second wheel 105 is provided with teeth 130 and is meshed with the third wheel 129, also provided with teeth 131. Thus, the third wheel 129 and the second wheel 105 are configured to rotate in opposite directions.

[0051] The third wheel 129 is mounted integral in rotation on a third axis of rotation 132 parallel to the axis of rotation of the second wheel 105. The first wheel 104, the second wheel 105 and the third wheel 129 are contained in the same plane.

[0052] The first pulley 111 is mounted integral in rotation on the axis of rotation of the first wheel 104. Thus, the first wheel 104 and the first pulley 111 are configured to rotate in the same direction.

[0053] A second pulley 133 is also mounted integral in rotation on the third axis of rotation 132. Thus, the third wheel 129 and the second pulley 133 are configured to rotate in the direction opposite to that of the second wheel 105.

[0054] The first and second pulleys 112, 132 are contained in the same plane, parallel to that containing the first, second and third wheels 104, 105 129.

[0055] A belt 134, not twisted in an eight as in the first embodiment but straight, is mounted on the first and second pulleys 111, 132 and is configured so as to drive the first and second pulleys 111, 132 in the same direction.

[0056] Thus, when the motor 110 rotates the transmission shaft in a first direction, the first wheel 104 is rotated in this first direction, and thus the first arm 127 is rotated in the first direction. Since the first pulley 111 is mounted on the same axis of rotation, the first pulley 111 rotates simultaneously in said first direction of rotation. The belt 134 rotates the second pulley 133 in said first direction of rotation. Since the second pulley 133 is mounted on the same axis of rotation 132 as the third wheel 129, the third wheel 129 rotates simultaneously in said first direction of rotation. Because the third wheel 129 is meshed with the second wheel 105, the second wheel 105 is rotated in the direction opposite to the first direction of rotation, and the second arm 128 is rotated in the direction opposite to the first direction.Thus, the first arm 127 and the second arm 128 are driven simultaneously in rotation. in opposite directions, the axis of rotation of the first and second arms 127, 128 corresponding respectively to the axes of rotation of the first and second wheels 104, 105.

[0057] The first pulley 111, the second pulley 133, the third wheel 129 and the belt 134 constitute a transmission mechanism mounted between the first and second arms 127, 128 to simultaneously drive the second arm 128 in rotation in the direction opposite to the direction of rotation of the first arm 127.

[0058] The deployment of the arms 127, 128 simultaneously leads to pulling the screen 122 out of the housing 102 and therefore to its unwinding from the drum 121, this being made possible by the rollers 118 which are movable and guided in the grooves 119 of the rod 120.

[0059] A rotation of the motor 110 in the direction opposite to the first direction leads to the folding of the arms 127, 128 and to the winding of the screen 122 onto the drum when the two arms 127, 128 fold.

[0060] It should be noted that the motor 110 could just as well be connected to the third axis of rotation 132.

[0061] Alternatively, the arms may comprise, as in the first embodiment, a threaded rod movable in a hollow tapped rod to adjust the height of the arms.

[0062] Although for ease of drawing, the arms have been shown extending perpendicularly from the housing, the person skilled in the art will understand that depending on the inclination of the windshields, the arms will be able to move in a plane inclined relative to the median plane of the housing comprising the opening, so that the screen can be deployed in a plane parallel to that of the windshield.

[0063] It is understood that the embodiments which have just been described have been given for informational and non-limiting purposes and that modifications may be made thereto without departing from the scope of the present invention.

Claims

Claims

1. - Sun visor (1; 101), characterized in that it comprises a housing (2; 102), two arms (14, 15; 127, 128) and a rectangular flexible screen (22; 122), mounted in a longitudinal direction of the housing (2; 102), each arm (14, 15; 127, 128) being pivotally mounted by one of its ends (16; 116) at one of the ends (8) in the longitudinal direction of the housing (2; 102), each arm (14, 15; 127, 128) being configured to move between a closed position, in which the arm (14, 15; 127, 128) extends parallel to the longitudinal direction of the housing (2; 102), and a deployed position, in which the arm (14, 15; 127, 128) is perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the housing (2; 102), the screen (22; 122) having a lower side (23) fixed to the housing (2; 102) and an opposite upper side (24; 124), to which the other end (17; 117) of the arms (14, 15; 127, 128) is movably connected, the closed position of the arms (14, 15; 127, 128) corresponding to the retracted position of the screen (22;122), the deployed position of the arms (14, 15; 127, 128) corresponding to the deployed position of the screen (22; 122) with the upper edge (24; 124) of the screen (22; 122), opposite the lower edge (23), stretched and parallel to the longitudinal direction of the housing (2; 102), a drive mechanism (9, 10; 110) being further mounted on the rotation axis (6) of a first arm (14; 127) for rotating the first arm (14; 127), a transmission mechanism (11, 12, 13; 111, 133, 129, 134) being mounted between the first arm (14; 127) and the second arm (15; 128) so that the rotation of the first arm (14; 127) simultaneously drives rotating the second arm (15; 128) in the direction opposite to the direction of rotation of the first arm (14; 127), the sun visor (1; 101) further comprising a drive mechanism control member (9, 10; 110).;

2. - Sun visor (1; 101) according to claim 1, characterized in that the transmission mechanism (11, 12, 13; 111, 133, 129, 134) comprises two pulleys (11, 12; 111, 133) each associated with a respective axis of rotation (6, 7) of arm (14, 15; 127; 128) and secured thereto and mounted on an axis of rotation (6, 7; 132) parallel to the axis of rotation (6, 7) of the arms (14, 15; 127; 128), and a belt (13; 134) connecting the pulleys (11, 12; 111, 133), the belt (13; 134) rotating the second arm (15; 128) in the direction of rotation opposite to that of the first arm (14; 127).

3. - Sun visor (1) according to claim 2, characterized in that the pulleys (11, 12) are mounted on the axis of rotation (6, 7) of the arms (14, 15), the belt (13) being mounted in a figure eight on the pulleys (11, 12).

4. - Sun visor (101) according to claim 2, characterized in that a toothed wheel (105) is mounted integral with the axis of rotation of one of the arms, the transmission mechanism (111, 133, 129, 134) comprising an intermediate toothed wheel (129), meshed with the toothed wheel (105) mounted on the axis of rotation of said arm (128), and mounted on the axis of rotation (132) of the pulley (133) associated with said arm (128) extending parallel to the axis of rotation of said arm (128), said axis of rotation of the pulley (111) associated with the other arm (127) being mounted on the axis of rotation of the other arm (127), a belt (134) connecting the two pulleys.

5. - Sun visor (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the arms (14, 15) comprise a threaded rod (14b, 15b) and a tapped hollow rod (14a, 15a), the threaded rod (14b, 15b) being movably received in the hollow rod (14a, 15a), the threaded rod (14b, 15b) being connected to the screen (22) and the hollow rod (14a, 15a) being connected to the housing (2).

6. - Sun visor (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the housing (2) comprises a drum (21) rotatably mounted in the housing (2) along an axis parallel to the longitudinal direction of the housing (2) and a return means associated with the drum (21), the screen (22) being connected by its lower edge (23) to the drum (21) and capable of being rolled up onto the drum (21) when the two arms (14, 15) fold.

7. - Sun visor (1; 101) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the end (17; 117) of the arms (14, 15; 127, 128) connected to the screen (22; 122) comprises rollers (18; 118) mounted movably in grooves (19; 119) of a rod (20; 120) mounted on the upper edge (24; 124) of the screen (22; 122).

8. - Sun visor (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the housing (2) is equipped with suction cups (26) for fixing the housing (2) to a window.

9. - Sun visor (1; 101) according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that it comprises at least one sensor among a brightness sensor, a temperature sensor, an end-of-travel sensor, a switch and a clock, the control member

10. controlling the drive mechanism (10; 110) as a function of the data received from the at least one sensor. - Sun visor (1; 101) according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the drive mechanism is one of a crank and an electric motor (10; 110), the electric motor (10; 110) then being powered by an electrical supply and the control member being an electronic control unit powered by the electrical supply.

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