Elastic Sun Shade for Off-Road Vehicles

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Solution Overview

Problem

Off-road vehicle drivers face unsafe driving conditions due to sun glare, particularly during sunrise or sunset, as they often need to use one hand to shield their eyes, compromising their ability to steer safely.

Innovation Solution

A sun shade system for off-road vehicles, featuring a shade member with fastening components at each end and along its length, which can be attached to the vehicle's front bars to block sun glare, is designed to be adjustable, portable, and easy to install without tools, ensuring minimal storage space and compatibility with various vehicle types.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Illumination intensity

If the driver uses one hand to shield eyes from sun glare, then vision is protected, but steering safety deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesun glare blockingVSAvoidsteering safety
Core Design Contradiction:
Illumination intensityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The sun shade is divided into multiple segments or sections that can be independently positioned and adjusted. This segmentation allows the shade to be customized to block specific glare angles while maintaining visibility of the road and controls, providing effective glare protection without compromising steering safety

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The sun shade incorporates adjustable and reconfigurable components that allow dynamic modification of its position and orientation. Drivers can adjust the shade during different times of day or changing sun positions to optimize both glare blocking and visibility, ensuring steering safety is maintained while protecting vision

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Object-affected harmful factors

If a fixed sun shade is installed on the vehicle, then glare protection is provided, but adaptability to different driving conditions deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesun glare blockingVSAvoidadjustability to different sun positions
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The sun shade system incorporates movable and adjustable components that enable dynamic reconfiguration based on sun position, time of day, and driving conditions. This allows the same shade structure to adapt to morning, noon, and evening sun angles, providing consistent glare protection across varying conditions

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The sun shade is designed with universal mounting capabilities and multiple adjustment options that allow it to function effectively in various vehicle types and driving scenarios. The adjustable design enables the single device to serve multiple purposes: blocking direct sun, reducing reflected glare, and maintaining visibility for different driver preferences and conditions

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Object-affected harmful factors

If a permanent sun shade structure is added to the vehicle, then glare protection is improved, but vehicle complexity and installation difficulty increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesun glare blockingVSAvoidinstallation and storage complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The sun shade is constructed from modular segments that can be easily assembled and disassembled without specialized tools or permanent modifications to the vehicle. This segmented design simplifies installation and storage while maintaining effective glare blocking capability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The sun shade incorporates self-contained mounting mechanisms and attachment systems that enable easy installation and removal by the driver without requiring professional installation or vehicle modifications. The self-service design reduces complexity while providing effective glare protection

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentUS11498394B2Sun shade for off-road vehicles
Publication Date: 2022.11.15 DORIOTT JANE MARIE
  • US11498394B2 patent drawing
  • US11498394B2 patent drawing
  • US11498394B2 patent drawing

AI summary

A sun shade that can be used as a sun blocker for off-road vehicles such as UTVs, ATVs, golf carts, and tractors is disclosed herein. The sun shade is a length of elastic fabric that stretches between two front side bars of an off-road vehicle and attaches to itself via fasteners for quick and easy installation without the need for any tools. The sun shade can block out sun glare, thereby improving vision.