Vehicle Sunshade Coupling Mechanism for Unequal Travel Lengths
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing sunshade assemblies for vehicles with multiple roof openings face challenges in efficiently operating multiple sunshades with different travel lengths, requiring complex drive systems and multiple movable parts.
Innovation Solution
A sunshade assembly with a drive assembly comprising aligned guides and drive members, where a coupling mechanism allows for independent operation of sunshades using a single motor, utilizing a connecting guide with a control slit to rotate a coupling member and uncouple drive members, simplifying the system without additional movable parts.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single drive cable operates both front and rear mechanisms with different travel lengths, then the system uses a simpler single-cable drive, but the mechanism complexity increases due to pin/curve and locking lever requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The drive system is segmented into separate drive members for the front and rear sunshades, with the first drive member operating the front mechanism and the second drive member operating the rear mechanism. This segmentation allows each drive member to be optimized for its specific travel length without requiring complex locking levers or pin/curve mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
A connecting guide acts as an intermediary element between the first and second guides, providing a smooth transition path for the drive members. This eliminates the need for complex locking mechanisms by allowing the drive members to transition seamlessly between different operational states.
2Adaptability or versatility
If different travel lengths are required for front and rear mechanisms, then each mechanism can be optimized independently, but the drive system becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The drive system employs dynamic coupling through the connecting guide, which allows the first and second drive members to be coupled or uncoupled based on operational requirements. This dynamic configuration enables independent optimization of travel lengths for front and rear sunshades while maintaining a relatively simple overall drive structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The connecting guide serves multiple functions: it connects the first and second guides, guides the transition of drive members between guides, and enables the coupling/uncoupling mechanism. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate components for each function.
3Reliability
If a locking lever mechanism is used to lock/unlock the front mechanism, then the front mechanism can be securely locked, but the system requires additional movable parts
Solution Approach 1:
The drive members are designed to self-lock through their interaction with the guides and connecting guide geometry. The controlled transition through the connecting guide naturally provides locking and unlocking functions without requiring separate locking levers or additional movable parts.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking and guiding functions are merged into the integrated guide system. The connecting guide combines the functions of guiding the drive member transition and providing the locking/uncoupling mechanism, eliminating the need for separate locking components.
Data Source
AI summary
A sunshade assembly comprises a first and second movable sunshades and a drive assembly. The drive assembly comprises a first slider coupled to a first drive member through a first coupling and connected to the first sunshade, and a second slider attached to a second drive member and connected to the second sunshade. The first coupling can be uncoupled to drive the second slider while not driving the first slider. The first coupling includes a coupling member to couple and uncouple the coupling member from a counter member on the first slider by a movement of the coupling member. The coupling member of the first drive member arrives in a guide when the coupling member must be uncoupled from the counter member and is shaped to cause the movement of the coupling member when the first and second drive members move further to open or close the second sunshade.