A-Pillar Sun Visor Louver for Windshield Gap Glare Shielding

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional sun visors for commercial vehicles often leave gaps between the A-pillar and the extended sun blind, allowing backlight/sunlight to enter and blind the driver, due to installation space and assembly constraints.

Innovation Solution

A device with a movable cover body connected to the A-pillar trim part, which can be pivoted into position to cover and shade the gap between the A-pillar and the sun blind, providing effective sunlight shielding without obstructing the view when not in use.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If conventional sun visors are arranged above the windshield, then they can provide sunlight shielding, but gaps remain between the A-pillar and the extended sun blind allowing backlight to enter

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebacklight entering through gapVSAvoidvisor structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The sun protection system is divided into multiple segments: a conventional sun blind for general coverage and a separate A-pillar visor body for gap coverage. This segmentation allows each component to address specific areas, eliminating backlight entry through gaps while maintaining overall system simplicity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The A-pillar visor body acts as an intermediary element that fills the gap between the conventional sun blind and the A-pillar. This intermediate component specifically addresses the uncovered area, preventing backlight from reaching the driver's eyes through the previously exposed gap.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Object-affected harmful factors

If a movable visor body is added to cover the gap, then backlight shielding is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebacklight shieldingVSAvoidvisor structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The A-pillar visor body is merged with the existing trim part structure, utilizing the trim part as a mounting base. This integration approach combines the new visor function with existing vehicle interior components, reducing overall device complexity while achieving improved backlight shielding.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The visor body is designed with movable connection to the trim part, allowing it to be positioned as needed. This dynamic design enables the visor to be adjusted or removed if necessary, providing flexibility without permanently increasing structural complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Ease of operation

If the visor body is positioned to cover the gap, then driver visibility is improved, but space for movement is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedriver visibilityVSAvoidspace
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The visor body is specifically sized and shaped to cover only the gap area between the sun blind and A-pillar. This localized approach provides precise sunlight shielding where needed while minimizing the volume occupied by the visor, preserving space in other areas of the vehicle interior.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentEP3964377B1Device for shielding against sunlight for a motor vehicle
Publication Date: 2024.07.31 MAN TRUCK & BUS SE
  • EP3964377B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3964377B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP3964377B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

The invention relates to a device (10) for shielding a motor vehicle from sunlight, comprising a trim panel (14) designed for the interior lining of an A-pillar of the motor vehicle, and a louver (12) movably connected to the trim panel (14). Advantageously, the device (10) according to the invention can, for example, cover and shade a gap between the A-pillar and a sunshade located above the windshield and extended. For this purpose, the movable louver (12) can be moved into a position of use in which it is positioned in the gap. The driver of the motor vehicle can thus be effectively shielded from dazzling glare/sunlight that could otherwise enter through the gap.