GB2512186A

GB2512186A - Sun visor for a vehicle

Info

Publication number: GB2512186A
Application number: GB201400921A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Mahesh S Chaudhari; Sainath Dongare
Original assignee: Daimler AG
Current assignee: Mercedes Benz Group AG
Priority date: 2014-01-20
Filing date: 2014-01-20
Publication date: 2014-09-24
Also published as: GB201400921D0

Abstract

A sun visor 10 for a vehicle, comprising a main body 12 and an extension member 18 movable into a working position (Figure 7) in which it increases a surface of the sun visor 10. The extension member 18 is also movable into a stowage position in which the extension member 18 at least partially overlaps with the main body 12. The sun visor 10 comprises retracting means 32, 34 configured to facilitate the movement of the extension member 18 from the working position into the stowage position. The retracting means 32, 34 may be springs and the extension member 18 may have a gear rack (38, Figure 2) which may be in contact with a pinion 40. A toothed rack 44 may be present on the extension member 18 and a plunger 46 having a locking tongue (48, Figure 4) may be present on the main body 12 to maintain the extension member 18 in the working position.

Description

Sun Visor for a Vehicle The invention relates to a sun visor for a vehicle, comprising a main body and an extension member. The extension member can be moved into a working position in which it increases a surface of the sun visor. The extension member is also movable into a stowage position in which the extension member at least partially overlaps with the main body.

There are two piece sun visors with a first flap which can be rotated to the side window about a vertical axis and another flap which can be rotated about the horizontal axis to shade the drivers' eyes against sun glare through the windscreen. Most sun visors are designed for mannequins corresponding to a maximum height criterium. They are, thus, designed such that the smallest height of the sun visor will not obstruct the mannequin of the biggest size. In such a case the sun visor is not helpful to avoid glaring for a small size driver or a small size mannequin. Also there are vehicles with different sizes and in particular different windshield sizes which are particularly big in height or width. For such vehicles especially sized sun visors need to be developed in order to avoid seat occupants of different sizes to be impared by sun glare from the front or from the side.

Document DE 10 2007 009 980 Al describes a sun visor with an auxiliary blind which is extendible and retractable in a self-locking manner. A transparency of the auxiliary blind can be adjusted.

Further, document US 6406086 A describes a sun visor with a main body and an extension member which is retractable into the main body. When the extension member is pulled out of the main body, pinions are meshing with gear racks arranged in the main body. The extension member further comprises two side flaps which are rotated outwards due to the force exerted by spring elements when the extension member is pulled out of the main body. Damping elements can damp the movement of extension member during its movement into the working position, in which it increases the surface of the sun visor.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a sun visor of the initially mentioned kind which is particularly easy to operate.

This object is solved by a sun visor having the features of claim 1. Advantageous configurations with convenient further developments of the invention are specified in the dependent claims.

According to the invention the sun visor comprises retracting means configured to facilitate the movement of the extension member from the working position into the stowage position. This allows for a particularly simple operation of the sun visor, as very little effort is required to move the extension member from the working position or open position into the stowage position or working position.

Also, due to the extension member which allows to increase the surface of the sun visor sun glare can be avoided for vehicle occupants having different sizes. This is not possible with a conventional sun visor without any extensioned member. Also even in a vehicle with a particularly high windshield sun glare can be avoided for users having different sizes. Further the extensioned member of the sun visor can easily be operated by a person driving the vehicle.

In an advantageous embodiment of the invention the retracting means comprise a first spring and a second spring with respective ends fixed to the main body. The first spring is arranged adjacent to a first lateral margin of the extension member and the second spring is arranged adjacent to a second lateral margin of the extension member. This allows for a very uniform retracting movement of the extension member being brought into its stowage position.

Further advantageously the extension member can comprise a gear rack arranged at the first lateral margin of the extension member, wherein a pinion meshing with the gear rack is fixed to the main body. Of course the pinion can be arranged on the extension member and the gear rack on the main body alternatively. This rack and pinion arrangement results in damping the movement of the extension member into the working position and from the working position into the stowage position. The extension member will thus not return suddenly back into its stowage position but slowly as the damping torque of the rack and pinion arrangement needs to be overcome.

Preferably the extension member comprises a toothed rack arranged at the second lateral margin of the extension member, wherein a plunger having a locking tongue is fixed to the main body. The locking tongue is configured to block the extension member in the working position. This configuration allows the extension member being locked in a variety of working positions each corresponding to a specific position of the locking tongue in a recess of the toothed rack.

In alternative embodiments the plunger with the locking tongue can be arranged on the extension member and the toothed rack on the main body of the sun visor.

Preferably the sun visor comprises a spring element configured to push the locking tongue into a corresponding recess in the toothed rack. Thus, the plunger automatically locks the extension member in a desired working position.

In a further advantageous embodiment a button configured to retract the locking tongue from the recess is arranged on the main body. Thus, by operating the button the locking tongue is removed from the recess and the retracting means easily can retract the extension number into its stowage position. The button can in particular be configured to retract the locking tongue in a sliding movement.

The features and feature combinations mentioned above in the description as well as the features and feature combinations mentioned below in the description of figures and/or shown in the figures alone are usable not only in the respectively specified combination but also in other combinations or alone without departing from the scope of the invention.

Thus, implementations not explicitly shown in the figures or explained, but which result and can be generated by separated feature combinations of the explained implementations are also to be considered encompassed and disclosed by the invention.

Further advantages, features and details of the invention are apparent form the claims, the following description of preferred embodiments as well as based on the drawings.

Therein show: Fig. 1 a partially cut away view of a sun visor for a vehicle, which comprises an extension flap that can be pulled out of a slot provided between two halfs of a main body of sun visor; Fig. 2 a rack and pinion assembly configured to damp the retracting movement of the extension flap which is pulled back into the main body by means of two springs; Fig. 3 the rack and pinion assembly according to Fig. 2 in an enlarged perspective view; Fig. 4 a plunger locking the extension flap in a desired working position, the plunger being pushed by a spring; Fig. 5 the plunger in a retracted position in which a locking tongue of the plunger is retracted from a recess in a toothed rack of the extension flap; Fig. 6 the sun visor with the extensioned member in its stowage position, wherein the extension flap is concealed between the two halfs of the main body of the sun visor; and Fig. 7 sun visor with the extension flap being pulled out into a working position or open position.

Fig. 1 shows a sun visor 10 for a vehicle. The sun visor 10 comprises a main body 12 of which a first half 14 is shown in Fig. 1 and a second half 16 is shown in Fig. 6. In an opening between the two halves 14, 16 an extension flap 18 or extension member is arranged. In Fig. 1 the extension flap is shown in a stowage position, in which it is almost completely concealed by the main body 12, i.e. retracted into the opening in the main body 12. The extension flap 18 can be pulled out of the main body 12 in a direction illustrated by an arrow 20 in Fig. 1 and in Fig. 6. The extension flap 18 can thus be moved into a working position, in which a surface of the sun visor 10 is increased.

The main body 12 is fixed to a support frame 22 substantially having an L-shape. By means of a first mount 24 and a second mount 26 the support frame 22 is pivotably fixed to a roof member of the vehicle. The first mount 24 serves as sun visor pivot and the second mount 26 as sun visor bracket. The main body 12 can therefore pivot about a first pivot axis which coincides with a rod 28 being fixed to the support frame 22 by a metal clip 30. The second mount 26 has a bracket for releasably fixing the rod 28. Thus, the support frame 22 can freely rotate about an end portion of the rod 28 being coupled to the first mount 24.

The first mount 24 allows the support frame 22 and the main body 12 to pivote about another pivot axis which is perpendicular to the first pivot axis The sun visor 10 can therefore be utilized to shade the eyes of an occupant of the vehicle against sun light entering a cabin of the vehicle through the windscreen or trough a side window of the vehicle.

The sun visor 10 is attached to the roof portion at the front of the cabin of the vehicle in an area corresponding to a head region within the cabin of the vehicle. The sun visor 10 is attached to both mounts 24, 26 wherein the rod 28 is detachable from the second mount 26 for avoiding sun glare from the side of the vehicle. By pivoting the main body 12 about a horizontal axis front side glare can be avoided and by detaching it from the second mount 26 the main body 12 can rotate about a vertical axis and, thus, be utilized for avoiding side glaring.

The material of the sliding extension flap 18 can be choosen according to the requirements to make it light weight and functional at the same time.

When the extension flap 18 is pulled out of the main body 12 into its working position shown in Fig. 7, a first spring 32 and a second spring 34 are extended which exert a retracting force on the extension flap 18. A first end of each one of the springs 32, 34 is fixed to the main body 12 of the sun visor 10. A central axis of each one of the springs 32, 34 is parallel to a lateral margin of the extension flap 18. Accordingly, the first spring 32 is arranged adjacent to a first lateral margin 36 of the extension flap 18. An outer edge of this first margin 36 has a gear rack 38 which extends in a direction coinciding with the direction of movement when the extension flap 18 is pulled out of the main body 12. A pinion 40 mounted to the first half 14 of the main body 12 meshes with the gear rack 38.

This rack and pinion assembly damps the movement of the extension flap 18 when it is pulled out of the main body 12 against the force of the two springs 32, 34.

The second spring 34 extends along a second lateral margin 42 of the extension flap 18, which is located opposite of the first lateral margin 36. The second margin 42 has a toothed rack 44 with laterally protruding teeth 54 (see Fig. 5). A plunger 46 assembled to the first half 14 of the main body 12 has a tapered locking tongue 48 which is pushed by a spring 50 into a recess 52 between the respective teeth 54 of the toothed rack 44 (see Fig. 4 and Fig. 5). By the plunger 46 cooperating with the toothed rack 44 on the second margin 42 and the pinion 40 meshing with the gear rack 38 on the first margin 36, an orientation or position of the extension flap 18 is maintained. This assures a straight movement of the extension flap 18 when it is pulled out into its working position.

The plunger 46 further blocks the extension flap 18 in a desired working position, the number of which corresponds to the number of recesses 52 provided in the toothed rack 44. The plunger 46 can have an extension which can be used for operating the extension flap 18 while driving the vehicle.

By pulling the extension of the flap 18 out of the main body 12, vertical coverage against sun glare and lateral coverage can be provided over an increased area of the sun visor 10. Also the sun visor 10 avoids sun glare for all sizes of users and different windshield sizes of the vehicle. The sun visor 10 is however particularly compact and easy in operation while driving the vehicle.

As can be further seen from Fig. 1, the extension flap 18 can have a mirror 56 which can in particular be provided with a removable cover. The support frame 22 can be welded to the sun visor flap. The main purpose of the support frame 22 is to provide strength to the sun visor 10. The extension flap 18 fits in guide ways with the rack and pinion arrangement providing the function of a one-way damper. The plunger 46 on the other side of the extension flap 18 also has the function of keeping the extension flap 18 in a desired position. The second half 16 of the main body 12 can be welded or snapped to the first half 14.

If a driver or co-driver wishes to increase a surface of the sun visor 10 for avoiding glare from the front or through the side windows he only needs to pull the extension flap 18 in the direction of the arrow 20. Consequently the retracting springs 32, 34 exert a force against this movement which is further damped by the pinion 40 meshing with the gear rack 38. Fig. 2 illustrates how the first spring 32 is elongated when the driver pulls out the extension flap 18. For smooth operation the springs 32, 34 can, in particular, be arranged in bushings 58. Fig. 3 shows particularly well how the pinion 40 meshes with the gear rack 38.

As can particularly well be seen from Fig. 4, the form of the locking tongue 48 and the recesses 52 in the toothed rack 44 is such that by pulling the extension flap 18 downwards, the plunger 46 is pushed the sideways against the force of the spring 50.

This is due to the saw tooth form of the recesses 52 corresponding with the tapered shape of the locking tongue 48, an inclined surface of which forms an angle of about 45° with the direction indicated by the arrow 20 in Fig. 1.

During the downward movement of the extension flap 18 the extension flap 18 is engaged between the pinion 40 acting as a damper and the plunger 46 located on the other side of the extension flap 18. As the plunger 46 is spring loaded by the force of the spring 50, the plunger 46 moves from one recess 52 to the next recess 52 upon the downward movement of the extension flap 18. Therefore the opening movement of the extension flap 18 creates a pleasant sound.

As soon as a required working position of the extension flap 18 is achieved, the plunger 46 arrests the return motion of the extension flap 18. Thus, locking the extension flap 18 in a desired working position is particularly easy.

For closing the extension flap 18 a vehicle occupant can operate a button 60 mounted to a bracket 62 fixed to the plunger 46 (see Fig. 4 and Fig. 5). The button 60 can be slid sideways, i.e. against the force of the spring 50, to retract the locking tongue 48 from the recess 52. A corresponding sliding movement of the button 60 is indicated in Fig. 4 by an arrow 64. This operating of the button 60 causes the extension flaplS to return back into the main body 12 of the sun visor 10. A corresponding movement of the extension flap 18 is indicated in Fig. 4 by another arrow 66. While returning back the extension flap 18 by sliding the button 60, the motion of the extension flap 18 is controlled by the one-way damper provided by the rack and pinion assembly. Thus, the extension flap 18 does not return back suddenly due to the force exerted by the two springs 32, 34. Rather it returns back slowly by overcoming the damping torque.

As can be seen in Fig. 6, a clearance 68 can be provided in each one or only one of the two halves 14, 16. This clearance 68 facilitates grabbing the extension flap 18, if the driver wishes to pull it out of the main body 12. Further, in its retracted position or stowage position shown in Fig. Ba lower margin 70 of the extension flap 18, which is

S

perpendicular to the first lateral margin 36 and the second lateral margin 42 may slightly protrude from the main body 12 in the direction indicated by the arrow 20.

While Fig. 6 shows the extension flap 18 in its closed position or stowage position, Fig. 7 shows the extension flap 18 in one of the working positions, i.e. in an open position.

List of reference signs sun visor 12 main body 14 first half 16 second half 18 extension flap arrow 22 support frame 24 mount 26 mount 28 rod metal clip 32 first spring 34 second spring 36 first margin 38 gear rack pinion 42 second margin 44 toothed rack 46 plunger 48 locking tongue spring 52 recess 54 tooth 56 mirror 58 bushing button 62 bracket 64 arrow 66 arrow 68 clearance margin

Claims

Claims Sun visor for a vehicle, comprising a main body (12) and an extension member (18) movable into a working position in which it increases a surface of the sun visor (10) and into a stowage position in which the extension member (18) at least partially overlaps with the main body (12), characterized in that the sun visor (10) comprises retracting means (32, 34) configured to facilitate the movement of the extension member (18) from the working position into the stowage position.
2. Sun visor according to claim 1, characterized in that the retracting means comprise a first spring (32) and a second spring (34) with respective ends fixed to the main body (12), wherein the first spring (32) is arranged adjacent to a first lateral margin (36) of the extension member (18) and the second spring (34) is arranged adjacent to a second lateral margin (42) of the extension member (18).
3. Sun visor according to claim 1 or 2.characterized in that the extension member (18) comprises a gear rack (38) arranged at a first lateral margin (36) of the extension member (18), wherein a pinion (40) meshing with the gear rack (38) is fixed to the main body (12).
4. Sun visor according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the extension member (18) comprises a toothed rack (44) arranged at a second lateral margin (42) of the extension member (18), wherein a plunger (46) having a locking tongue (48)is fixed to the main body (12), wherein the locking tongue (48) is configured to block the extension member (18) in the working position.
5. Sun visor according to claim 4, characterized in that the sun visor (10) comprises a spring element (50) configured to push the locking tongue (48) into a corresponding recess (52) in the toothed rack (44).
6. Sun visor according to claim 5, characterized in a button (60) configured to retract, in particular in a sliding movement, the locking tongue (48) from the recess (52) is arranged on the main body (12).
7. Sun visor according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that a mirror (56), in particular with a removable cover, is arranged on the extension member (18).