Magnetic Sun Visor Retention Eliminates Bending Stress
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing sun visor retention systems apply forces at the base, leading to bending stresses and require thicker materials, and are limited by specific angles, necessitating multiple designs for varying headliner geometries.
Innovation Solution
A magnetic detention system using ferromagnetic elements in the sun visor body and permanent magnets in the headliner provides retention force at the end of the visor opposite the support rod, allowing for thinner construction and wider geometric compatibility.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a leaf spring retention mechanism is used at the base of the visor, then the visor is held in the home position, but significant bending stresses are generated on the visor body requiring thicker and heavier construction
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical leaf spring retention system with a magnetic retention system. Permanent magnets mounted in the headliner interact with ferromagnetic elements in the visor body to provide retention force, eliminating the need for mechanical springs and reducing bending stresses on the visor body.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the retention function from the visor body itself (by removing the leaf spring mechanism) and relocates it to the headliner (via permanent magnets). This transfers the retention load from the visor structure to the headliner mounting structure.
2Reliability
If a leaf spring retention mechanism is used at the base, then the visor is retained, but the retention force is applied only at the rod location limiting accommodation of headliner geometry variations
Solution Approach 1:
The magnetic retention system provides universal applicability across different headliner geometries. By mounting permanent magnets directly in the headliner at various locations, the system can accommodate standard roofs, moon roofs, and other configurations without requiring different visor designs.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent moves the retention application point from the visor rod (one-dimensional constraint) to the headliner plane (two-dimensional freedom). This allows magnets to be positioned at optimal locations in the headliner to accommodate various geometries while maintaining effective retention.
3Strength
If thicker visor body construction is used to resist bending stresses, then structural integrity is maintained, but vehicle weight increases
Solution Approach 1:
The magnetic retention system replaces mechanical spring forces with magnetic attraction forces, eliminating bending moments on the visor body. This allows the use of thinner, lighter visor materials while maintaining structural integrity and retention performance.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The magnetic system effectively holds the sun visor in place without vibration, enabling lighter construction and accommodating various vehicle geometries, while minimizing interference with electronic devices.
Implementation Method 1
The permanent magnet and the ferromagnetic element are aligned so that the body is attracted toward the headliner and positively held in the home position adjacent the headliner
Data Source
AI summary
A sun visor assembly is provided incorporating a magnetic detention system. That assembly includes a sun visor body, a ferromagnetic element held in that body and a permanent magnet in a headliner of the vehicle. The permanent magnet and the ferromagnetic element are aligned so that the body is attracted toward the headliner and positively held in a home position adjacent the headliner.