Extended Range Sun Visor Arcuate Track System
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional sun visors for motor vehicles have a limited range of motion, failing to effectively block glare from specific intrusion areas such as between the visor edge and the rear view mirror outboard edge and between the visor edge and the B-pillar trim, leading to increased complexity and cost with additional add-on solutions that are prone to breakage.
Innovation Solution
An extended-range sun visor assembly featuring an arcuate track system with first and second track segments mounted to the vehicle roof panel, allowing the sun visor panel to translate rearwardly and inwardly to block glare from these hard-to-reach areas, integrated with a bezel that captures the headliner and includes a grab handle for operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If conventional sun visors with limited range of motion are used, then the structure remains simple and cost-effective, but glare protection coverage is insufficient in hard-to-reach intrusion areas
Solution Approach 1:
The sun visor assembly transitions from a fixed pivot mechanism to a dynamic sliding mechanism along an arcuate track. The visor panel can translate along the curved track to reach multiple intrusion areas (between visor edge and rear view mirror, between visor edge and B-pillar trim) while maintaining a simple single-piece structure without complex add-on components
2Object-affected harmful factors
If additional parts or assemblies are added to extend glare protection range, then coverage in hard-to-reach areas improves, but device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the glare protection function with an integrated grab handle feature in a single bezel component. The bezel overlays the arcuate track and incorporates the grab handle, eliminating the need for separate add-on components while providing both extended glare protection and user interaction functionality
Solution Approach 2:
The arcuate track system serves multiple functions: it enables the sun visor to reach different intrusion areas for glare protection, provides structural support, and integrates with the bezel to create a multi-functional assembly that combines protection with user interaction features
3Object-affected harmful factors
If additional components are deployed to extend visor range, then glare protection in intrusion areas improves, but reliability decreases due to increased breakage risk
Solution Approach 1:
The integrated grab handle is incorporated into the bezel structure itself rather than being a separate component. This merging reduces the total number of parts that could potentially break while maintaining the extended glare protection capability through the arcuate track mechanism
Data Source
AI summary
An extended-range sun visor assembly for a vehicle includes an arcuate track adapted for mounting to a vehicle roof panel whereby a first track segment extends vehicle-rearwardly and a second track segment extends vehicle-inwardly. A sun visor panel is slidably mounted to the arcuate track. The assembly may further include a bezel adapted to attach to and overlay the arcuate track. The bezel may include an integrated grab handle, and is configured to capture a portion of a vehicle headliner between the arcuate track and the bezel. The first track segment is dimensioned to allow the sun visor panel to translate vehicle-rearwardly to block glare entering a vehicle side window portion adjacent a vehicle B-pillar trim element, and the second track segment is dimensioned to allow the sun visor panel to translate vehicle-inwardly to block glare entering a vehicle windshield central portion.