GB2341370A - A motor vehicle sun blind arrangement - Google Patents

Abstract

A sun blind (4) of a sun blind arrangement (1) is deployed using a deployment mechanism (6) in order to ensure that the sun blind (4) is held in close association with a vehicle window (5). The arrangement includes guides or runners (8) either side of the window (5) to further ensure close association between the sun blind (4) and the window (5). The deployment mechanism (6) is only operable when the vehicle ignition is deactivated or when the vehicle is not occupied. A mounting for a rear view mirror (8) along with wedges (10) associated with a roof edge (3) can be used to ensure close association between the sun blind (4) and the window (5) is maintained.

Description

2341370 - 1 A MOTOR VEHICLE SUN BLIND ARRANGEMENT The present invention

relates to a motor vehicle sun blind arrangement and more particularly to such an arrangement deployed in order to reduce the long-term "greenhousine' effect of parking a vehicle on a sunny day.

It will be appreciated that a motor vehicle cabin essentially comprises, with the glass windows, a greenhouse enclosure which can reach relatively elevated temperatures when exposed to direct sunlight for a period of time. In such circumstances, not only does the interior of the cabin become uncomfortable for an occupant on their return, but also can lead to premature failure of components along with fading of the vehicle interior.

In such circumstances, it is known to provide a sun blind, which typically is a cardboard cut-out component located adjacent the major window surfaces of the vehicle interior. Thus, a sun shade or sun blind will be taken from a folded state and deployed above the vehicle interior facia and adjacent the windscreen and also above a rear parcel shelf adjacent the rear window of a vehicle. The ellect of the sun blind is to shade a substantial proportion of the vehicle interior and so diminish the abovementioned detrimental effects.

Unfortunately, carrying and stowing such folded cardboard cut-outs is both inconvenient and not as efficient as possible. It will be understood that the objective of the sun blind is to reflect as much sun light as possible back through the window in order to diminish the greenhouse effect and fading of the vehicle interior. In order to achieve that objective, the sun blind should be located as close to the window as possible such that the gap between the sun blind and the window is narrow to reduce the volume of air heated by the incident sunlight. Clearly, a folded cardboard cut-out cannot be so located.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a motor vehicle sun blind arrangement which substantially relieves the above-mentioned problems.

In accordance with the present invention there is provided a motor vehicle sun blind arrangement comprising a deployment mechanism mounted with regard to a vehicle facia to present a sun blind from a stowed configuration typically in an upward direction on deployment to a deployed configuration which is substantially across a vehicle window between that vehicle facia and a roof edge, said sun blind being associated with retention means to retain that deployed configuration until that retention means is released, the arrangement characterised in that the sun blind is biased by bias means towards the stowed configuration and the deployment mechanism includes means to drive the sun blind between the stowed configuration and the deployed configuration against the bias means.

Typically, the drive mechanism is operable when the vehicle ignition is switched off and not operable when the vehicle ignition is activated andlor the vehicle occupied.

Normally the deployment mechanism will include guide rails either side of the window to facilitate close adjacent association between the window and the sun blind.

Typically, the deployment mechanism, and in particular the drive means will comprise wires coupled to the sun blind and driven about respective pulley means to present the sun blind in the deployed 10 configuration across a vehicle window.

The sun blind will include those cut-outs necessary to accommodate roof irregularities of curvature and mountings such as for a rear view mirror in order to ensure close adjacent location between the window and the sun blind.

To further facilitate close adjacent location between the- sun blind and the window in the deployed configuration, normally the sun blind WW be held under tension. This tension can be provided through stretching the material from which the sun blind is made or incorporated within the drive means and/or deployment mechanism appropriate means for tensioning the sun blind.

The arrangements may also include wedge members to hold, and possibly push, the sun blind into close association with the window.

An embodiment of the present invention will now be described by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawing, in which:.

Figure 1 is a pictorial front perspective of a sun blind arrangement in a deployed configuration; and Figure 2 is a part cross-section of a sun blind arrangement in a deployed configuration.

As indicated above, it is important in order to provide the most effective shading within a vehicle cabin that the sun blind is closely associated with its window. The present invention particularly relates to the front windscreen of a motor vehicle but could also, with appropriate adaptation, be utilised with regard to the rear window and also side windows. Clearly, previous cardboard cut-out type sun blinds wedged beside a window have not been able to achieve close adjacent location to that window. Thus, shading within the vehicle has not been the most efficient possible.

Referring to the drawings in which Figure 1 shows in pictorial front perspective a sun blind arrangement 1 above a vehicle facia 2 and a roof edge 3. The sun blind arrangement 1 comprises a sun blind 4 secured across a window 5 in close association therewith. Essentially, the sun blind 4 is deployed in an upward direction using a deployment mechanism 6 such that when the vehicle ignition is deactivated, and assuming the sun blind is required, the deployment mech i m 6 displaces the sun blind 4 upwards towards the roof edge 3. In such circumstances, it will be appreciated that in a stowed configuration the sun blind 4 is rolled or folded into an appropriate channel located in the upper surface of the facia 2. Alternatively, a sun blind could be deployed downwardly from a roof edge stowage position.

The deployment mechanism 6 typically will comprise a draw wire or string coupled to the sun blind 4 and pulled about pulley members using a capstan winder. Typically, this winder will be activated using an electric motor stimulated upon detection of vehicle ignition deactivation. Furthermore, the electric motor is most conveniently of a stepper type so that accurate control of the position of the sun blind 4 is achieved.

Clearly, when the vehicle is occupied or at least when the ignition is activated, it will be appreciated that the deployment mechanism 6 is retracted to return the sun blind 4 to its stowed configuration in the facia 2.

In such circumstances, it is most convenient for the sun blind 4 to be biased towards that stowed configuration. This bias can take the form of mechanical spring loading around a roller upon which the sun blind 4 is stowed.

As the sun blind 4 is displaced in an upward direction indicated by arrow head A, it will be noted that a leading edge 7 of the sun blind 4 will encounter a mounting for a rear view mirror 8. In order to accommodate this mounting, the edge 7 will typically include a cut-away appropriate for that mounting. Furthermore, by appropriate ramp configuration of the mounting for the rear view mirror 8, it will be appreciated that the edge can be brought into closer approximation with the roof edge 3 and window 5. For example, the inherent tension created by deployment through the deployment mechanisms 6 can be utilised such that a ramp slope in the mounting for the rear view mirror 8 may guide the edge about the cut-away for that mounting towards the window 5 to bring them into closer proximity. Similarly, further wedge guiders could be located along the roof edge 3 in order to guide or curl the edge 7 into closer association with the window 5.

As indicated above, the best deployment of the sun blind 4 is with that sun blind 4 in close association with the window 5. Unfortunately, typically vehicle windscreens are curved thus, in order to best present the sun blind 4, it will be appreciated that the roller on which the sun blind 4 is stowed may itself be bowed for consistency with the windscreen 5 base. However, in order to achieve close association between the window 5 and the blind 4, it is normally necessary to include guides or runners 8 along either side of the window 5. In such circumstances, it will be appreciated that the roller 9 will initially present the sun blind 4 for deployment in a consistent manner to the window 5 and the guide runners 8 keep that consistency at least at each end of the window 5. Clearly, in order to maintain the relatively free leading edge 5 in association with the window 5 mechanism such as the mounting 4, the rear view mirror 8 along with wedges 10 may be used"in order to draw and retain that sun blind 4 in close association with the window 5.

Normally, the deployment mechanism 6 will also include the retention means to retain the sun blind 4 in its deployed configuration. This retention will typically be through locking the deployment mechanism, ie. switching off and applying a brake to the wind motor of the mechanism 6.

As close association between the window 5 and the sun blind 4 is desirable, it will be appreciated that typically the sun blind' 4 will be held under tension. This tension wffi normally be created through use of stretchable sheet material for the sun blind 4 in association with the tension created by pulling through the deployment mechanism 6. Clearly, the sun blind 4 could also include fanning or concertina folds to create lateral tension.

Normally the material from which the sun blind 4 is made will be substantially reflective. Thus, the sun blind 4 may have a white or silvered 5 surface to reflect as much sunlight back through the window 5 as possible. Furthermore, the sun blind 4 may be fluted or corrugated in order to maximise the surface area available.

As indicated above, typically the sun blind 4 will be presented from the stowed configuration to the deployed configuration illustrated when the vehicle ignition is deactivated. However, it will also be appreciated that deployment of the sun blind 4 could be manually activated by a vehicle occupant when required but clearly not when the vehicle is in motion. Alternatively, a temperature sensor or solar sensor within the vehicle could be used to automatically deploy the sun blind arrangement 1 when appropriate circumstances are detected whilst the vehicle is in a parked state, that is to say as environmental conditions change through the day.

Clearly, deployment of the sun blind arrangement 1 may not be necessary on cloudy days, etc. However, it will also be understood that deployment of a sun blind 4, if with regard to all windows of a vehicle, could " 9 - act as a security measure by obscuring the content of the interior of a motor vehicle.

As indicated above, the sun blind 4 will be made from a sheet material. This material may be a fabric or plastic or bonded paper. In any event, normally the arrangement 1 or at least the sun blind 4 will be detachable from the vehicle facia 2 in order to clean the sun blind 4 or replace it.

The wedges 10 could be pivoted about the roof edge 3 in order to further push the sun blind 4 towards the window 5. Clearly, in such circumstances, the wedges 10 will be latched into a position holding the sun blind 4 against the window 5. Activation of the wedges 10 to push the sun blind 4 towards the window 5 may be automatic or manual. Additionally, the wedges 10 may include ribbed surfaces to grip the sun blind 4 against the window 5.

Claims (12)

- 10CLAIMS

1. A vehicle sun blind arrangement comprising a deployment mechanism mounted in a vehicle facia to present a sun blind from a stowed configuration in a typically upward direction upon deployment to a deployed configuration which is substantially across a vehicle window between that vehicle facia and a roof edge and said sun blind being associated with retention means to retain that deployed configuration until that retention means is released, the arrangement characterised in that the sun blind is biased by bias means towards the stowed configuration and the deployment mechanism includes means to drive the sun blind between the stowed configuration and the deployed configuration against the bias means.

2. An arrangement as claimed in Claim 1, wherein the means to drive the sun blind between the stowed configuration and the deployed configuration is only operation when the vehicle ignition is deactivated.

3. An arrangement as claimed in Claim 1 or Claim 2, wherein the sun blind is guided by guide rails or runners either side of the window between the stowed configuration and the deployed configuration.

4. An arrangement as claimed in Claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein the means to drive the sun blind between the stowed configuration and deployed configuration comprises wires coupled to the sun blind and drawn about pulleys using a winder operated by an electric motor.

5. An arrangement as claimed in Claim 4, wherein the electric motor is of a stepping motor.

6. An arrangement as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein a leading edge of the sun blind includes a cut-out in order to allow close association between the sun blind with the window about a mounting for a rear view mirror.

7. An arrangement as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the arrangement includes wedges associated with the roof edge in order to retain that edge and therefore the sun blind in close association with the window.

8. An arrangement as claimed in Claim 7, wherein the wedges may be rotated about a hinge in order to push the sun blind about the leading edge in to close association with the window.

9. An arrangement as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the sun blind is stowed in an aperture of the vehicle facia which is configured to have a consistent contour with the window base in order to facilitate close presentation of the sun blind to that window upon deployment by the deployment means.

10. An arrangement as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the sun blind in the deployed configuration is held under tension in order to facilitate close association between the sun blind and the window.

11. A motor vehicle sun blind arrangement substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawing.

12. A motor vehicle including a motor vehicle sun blind arrangement as claimed in any preceding claim.