Sun Visor Cam Mechanism for Side Window Shielding
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing sun visor assemblies do not effectively position the visor body to shield eyes from sunlight coming through the side window, and users are often unaware of the visor's capability to slide along the support rod for optimal positioning.
Innovation Solution
A sun visor assembly with a built-in cam that automatically displaces the visor body along the support rod from a home position to an extended position as the support rod is pivoted toward the side window, utilizing a cam follower and arcuate cam surface, and a projecting ear to facilitate this movement, while also educating the operator about the sliding capability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If the visor body is made fixed on the support rod, then the device complexity is reduced, but the ability to effectively shield eyes from side window sunlight is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The visor body is made dynamically adjustable along the support rod through a cam-follower mechanism. The cam profile is specifically designed to automatically extend the visor body when the support rod is positioned for side window shielding, providing optimal sunlight blocking without requiring complex manual controls or additional actuators.
Solution Approach 2:
The cam mechanism is passively actuated by the movement of the support rod itself. As the user positions the support rod to shield from side window sunlight, the cam profile automatically drives the visor body to its extended position, eliminating the need for separate control mechanisms or additional user actions.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the visor body can slide along the support rod, then the adaptability for different shielding positions is improved, but the ease of operation deteriorates due to user unawareness of the sliding capability
Solution Approach 1:
The cam mechanism is pre-configured with a profile that automatically performs the visor body extension action when the support rod is moved to specific positions. This preliminary design ensures that the sliding capability is automatically utilized without requiring user knowledge or action, as the mechanism itself initiates and completes the sliding motion based on support rod position.
Solution Approach 2:
The cam profile provides mechanical feedback through the follower, automatically translating support rod position into corresponding visor body extension. This feedback mechanism ensures the visor body is always in the optimal position for sunlight shielding based on the support rod's current position, eliminating the need for user judgment or manual adjustment.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If a cam mechanism is added to automatically displace the visor body, then the sunlight shielding effectiveness is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The cam mechanism is integrated into the existing support rod and visor body structure. The cam is mounted on the support rod and works with a follower attached to the visor body, merging the automatic extension function with the existing pivoting and sliding capabilities without requiring completely separate control systems or additional actuators.
Solution Approach 2:
The cam-follower mechanism serves multiple functions: it automatically extends the visor body for side window shielding, maintains proper visor body position during support rod movement, and works passively with the existing support rod pivoting motion. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional separate mechanisms.
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 solution provides enhanced sunlight shielding by positioning the visor body optimally to block side window sunlight and educates users on the visor's sliding functionality, improving user experience and effectiveness in blocking sunlight from both windshields and side windows.
Implementation Method 1
a cam configured to displace the visor body along the support rod from a home position to an extended position as that support rod is displaced toward the side window
Data Source
AI summary
A sun visor assembly comprises a support rod displaceable between a first position, extending along a windshield, and a second position extending along a side window. A visor body is carried on the support rod. A cam is configured to displace the visor body along the support rod from a home position to an extended position as the support rod is displaced toward the second position. A sun visor operating method and method of educating an operator with respect to a capability of a visor body to slide along a support rod are also disclosed.