MXPA05012426A - Sliding sun visor - Google Patents

Abstract

A sliding sun visor having:a pivot rod (2);a conductor (3) for supplying power to at least one electrical device included in the sun visor structure (1). The conductor (3) has a second portion having at least a length to enable the sun visor structure (1) be positioned in the most extended use-position. The sun visor structure (1) has conductor housing elements (4) for housing the second portion of the conductor. The conductor housing elements (4) are parallel to the pivot rod (2). The conductor housing elements (4) are provided with a longitudinal groove (40), the conductor (3) has continuous conductor cables from the first end to the at least one electrical device and the conductor (3) is transversally folded.

Description

SLIDING PARASOLS Field of the invention The invention forms parts of the sliding sun visors with electrical accessories for motor vehicles.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Parasols for motor vehicles are elements mounted inside a motor vehicle in the area of the interior ceiling. The object of the parasols is to protect passengers from possible glare due to sunlight.

Usually, the parasols have two functions to which correspond two movements: the frontal protection: the parasol is folded around a pivoting rod that has to be put in a lowered position of use; lateral protection: the sun visor is rotated around a vertical minor axis at one end of the sun visor to cover the area of the side window. Umbrellas known in the art show limited protection to the maximum area of the sunshade itself, which does not correspond to the possible total protection area. However, the dimensions of the elements adjacent to the parasol make it difficult to design parasols, which do not interfere with the surrounding elements of the parasol. In order to extend the protection of the sun visors beyond the area of your body, which is what gives protection in a maximum area, the sliding sun visors have been developed to be able to be placed in positions that allow protection in areas additional to the corresponding to the body.

There is an additional problem with the extension of the sunshades when an integrated mirror with lighting is included in the sunshade. Umbrellas known in the prior art are represented in the following patent documents. US5653490: a sun visor includes a guide channel which receives an elongated pivoting rod and a combined guide and torque control. The sliding guide comprises a polymeric lubricating member that surrounds the torque control to present a sliding surface between the sun visor rod and the channel 'inside the body of the sun visor while the torque control allows the sun visor to be lifted to desired adjusted positions between a raised storage position adjacent to the vehicle roof and lowered usage positions. US6131985: Each component of the sunshade core includes an alignment element that cooperates with an alignment element on the outer skin, thereby maintaining the core components of the sunshade in the correct location. The modularity of the visor core components allows their use with any one of a plurality of differently configured outer coatings and in a plurality of combinations of parasol core components. Modular components include a hinge block for pivotally engaging a sunshade support rod, a leg section with an exposed support member for supporting a free end of the sunshade blade, and track components for slidingly engaging other components such as a sunshade. parasol extension panel. US6139083: A vehicle sun visor assembly includes an axle configured to be mounted on a vehicle. The shaft includes first and second molded electrical cables that extend longitudinally along the axis. The first and second electric cables include the corresponding first and second exposed contact surfaces spaced circumferentially about the axis. The sun visor body is pivotally and slidably mounted on the shaft and includes a first and a second joint contact positioned for a selective engagement with the first and second contact surfaces exposed only when the sun visor is positioned in a longitudinal position and of pivoting about the shaft to provide electrical power to an integrated mirror or the like. DE10017047: The cover has a movable cover body and can pivot on a mounted shaft to allow rotation but axially fixed to a sliding body that is rotatably fixed but axially movable in a hollow body with a spring-loaded pressure element which acts radially on the axis. The body has at least one electric lighting switch, a remote control unit for a garage door opening control and a cable with one or more wires and a surplus to allow the movement of the cover. The cover has a cover body that can pivot about an axis and can move along the axis, which is mounted to allow rotation but is axially fixed and is housed by a sliding body that is rotatably fixed but axially movable in a hollow tubular body embedded near a longitudinal edge of the body and carrying a spring-loaded pressure element acting radially against the shaft, which has a flat profile. The body has at least one switch for switching on and off an electric lighting device, a remote control unit for a garage door opening control and a cable containing one or more wires with a surplus provided to allow movement of the cubresol. JP2002211315: The vehicle sun visor has a spindle internally mounted on a sun visor body which can rotate around the spindle and slide along the axial direction of the spindle. A regulating means of the amount of light for regulating the amount of light of the lighting device mounted on one side of the cabin or on the side of the sun visor body is mounted between the sun visor body and the spindle. The regulating means of the amount of light regulates the amount of light of the illumination device when said regulating means of the amount of light detects that the parasol body has been rotated around the spindle at a predetermined angle or that the parasol body has been slid along the spindle in a certain amount. The problem that the present invention has to solve is to provide a sunshade with simplified sliding which includes a continuous supply of electrical energy.

Description of the invention The present invention provides a sun visor with additional protection beyond its starting position, guaranteeing an energy supply in any position: not extended, partially or fully extended. The present invention comprises a plurality of features. - Sliding guide with metallic guide. The extension of the parasol is carried out by sliding the pivoting rod and sliding guide means or sliding guide, which are attached, into the frame or structure of the parasol. The guide rail is guided by a metal tube or conductor housing means parallel to the pivot rod, said tube being used as an electrical conduit housing or conductive wire. Flexible tape for electrical power supply or flexible printed circuit (CIF), in other words, the driver. The power supply along the entire length of the sun visor from the entrance of the pivot rod to the mirror is made by a flexible ribbon conductor such as a flexible printed circuit (CIF) or flexible flat cable (CPF) type. Said flexible tape can change its shape in each movement of extension or backwards movement of the parasol. Micro-switches The switching on and off of the mirror lighting is activated by microswitches placed near one end of the pivoting rod (first microswitch) and one end of the mirror cover (second microswitch). The first micro-switch refers to the rotation of the lens hood and the second micro-switch refers to the movement of the mirror lid.

The new features of the invention provide a plurality of advantages over the prior art: - The power supply is guaranteed because the electrical conduction is not interrupted; the supply of energy from the input of the power supply to the adapter located at the junction of the end of the pivot rod with the electrical accessories is not interrupted thanks to the flexible tape (CIF or CPF), which is a guarantee of supply of energy in any condition. Mirror lighting in any position of the parasol. The continuity of the aforementioned power supply allows an illumination in any extended position of the sun visor, thus avoiding the interruption of the energy in the intermediate positions, as it happens in the state of the art. Possibility of including various electrical accessories. In accordance with the aforementioned characteristics, it is possible to include other functions that require power supply on a permanent basis, such as an antenna, a remote control unit such as a "home link" domotic module or the like. The driver is folded transversely. i) when the parasol is not extending, the flexible ribbon conductor is folded; ii) when the parasol is extended, the flexible tape is unfolded by passing through the tube opening. Guided sliding. The tube or driver's accommodation means is either a cover for the conductor or flexible tape (CIF, CPF) or a guide for the sliding guide. In this way the tube operates the sliding movement when the sliding guide moves forward or backward to provide a precise positioning and a solid sensation when the sunshade is extended.

A first aspect of the invention relates to a sliding parasol having: a pivoting rod with a first end hooked to be articulated to an interior roof of a vehicle, a second end opposite the first end and a hollow space extending from the first end to second end - a parasol structure coupled to the pivoting rod to allow the sun visor structure to be placed in a position of use selected from the folded position, the most pivoted and / or extended position of use and positions intermediate thereof, pivoting about said pivoting rod and moving it along the same; a conductor for supplying power to at least one electrical device included in the parasol structure, said conductor having a first portion defined between the first end of the pivoting rod and the second end of the pivoting rod, said first portion being housed in the space hollow of the pivoting rod and a second portion having at least one length that allows the structure of the sun visor to be positioned in the most extended position of use; the parasol structure comprising the means for accommodating the conductor for receiving the second portion of the conductor, said conductor housing means being parallel to the pivoting rod; characterized in that: the driver housing means is provided with a longitudinal slot; the conductor comprises continuous conductor cables from the first end to at least one electrical device; the driver is folded transversely. In addition, the sliding parasol also comprises sliding guiding means fixed to the pivoting rod for guiding a sliding movement of the sunshade structure along the pivoting rod, the sliding guiding means being in turn in the sliding movement of the parasol structure, guided by the driver's accommodation means. The conductor is typically a flexible tape, and said flexible tape can be a flexible flat cable (CPF) or a flexible printed circuit (CIF). In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the conductor housing means has a substantially U-shaped cross section. According to another characteristic of the invention, the sliding guide means has a protrusion to be coupled to the longitudinal groove of the means of driver's accommodation to prevent relative rotation in between. In another embodiment of the invention the sliding parasol further comprises a first microswitch for detecting a parasol structure pivoted in the use position. In this embodiment, the pivoting rod comprises a tongue for activating the first micro-switch. Optionally, the sliding parasol further comprises a domotic module such as a "home link". In a further embodiment of the invention, the sliding parasol comprises: an integrated mirror provided with a cover; a second micro-switch for detecting the position of the lid; illumination means for illuminating the integrated mirror according to the state of the first microswitch and the state of the second microswitch. For this purpose, a flexible printed circuit (CIF) or a flexible flat cable (CPF) is used for the supply of electric power and also electrical contacts that guarantee control of the illumination of the integrated mirror of the lamps placed in the area of the head or the mirror. The sun visors with extension protection beyond the area of your body only guarantee the supply of electrical energy, that is to say, the illumination of the integrated mirror, in extreme positions of the extension of the parasol. The present invention includes as a new feature a constant supply of electric power regardless of the position of extension of the sun visor, and not only in extreme positions as known in the state of the art. In addition, while it benefits from the constant supply of electric power to the lighting control of the thick integrated by the mirror lid, it is possible to add other electrical accessories such as for example a domotic "home link" or remote control unit for control elements such as opening the garage door, lighting exterior lights and the like.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS A series of drawings that help to better understand the invention, and which expressly refer to various embodiments of said invention, presented as illustrative and non-limiting examples thereof, will be briefly described below.

Figure IA and IB are perspective views of a parasol in a non-extended and extended position. Figure 2 is a perspective view of a parasol showing the structure of the parasol. Figure 3 is a detailed view of the first end of the pivot rod. Figure 4 is a detailed view of the second end of the pivot rod.

Figure 5 is a detailed view of the sliding guide means. Figure 6 is a perspective view of the structure of the sun visor showing the path of the driver. Figure 7 is a detailed view of the structure of the parasol.

Description of preferred embodiments of the invention Figures 1A and IB show isometric views of a sun visor from its front side in a non-extended and extended use position. The sun visor includes a mirror with sliding lid as a non-restrictive example, and could also include a mirror without a lid or a rotating lid.

Figure 2 shows the interior of the sun visor with the body lid removed. The elements shown are: Frame 1. Plastic structural element that forms the internal structure of the parasol. - Pivoting rod 2. Plastic element, which allows the longitudinal extension of the sun visor and the rotation from the elevated storage position to the down position. In addition, this allows a lateral rotation for lateral protection. The pivoting rod is jointly fixed to a sliding guide and a guide channel is formed within the frame structure of the parasol 1. Tube4. Hollow metal element to house the electrical conductor and to help the sliding guide when the extension movement is made. Sliding guide 5, Plastic part fixed to the pivoting rod 2 that slides along the tube in the frame.

Spring. Elastic metallic element that guarantees a constant pressure around the pivoting rod to establish positions of use of the parasol. Support derbazo. The sun visor is hooked to the center of the interior roof and is released from it to carry out a lateral protection. Distributor. Metal zone that distributes electrical energy to electrical accessories. Mirror unit. Mirror and plastic support for mirror 9 that includes a sliding cover 91 and electrical elements to allow control of the lighting with lamps 92 in the interior ceiling or in the mirror unit itself.

Figure 3 shows a detail of the end of the pivoting rod 21. The pivoting rod 2 is molded around a metal tube insert. This tube is hollow to pass the conductor or electrical conductor wire 3, the conductor being a flexible tape, a flexible flat cable type (CPF) or a flexible printed circuit (CIF) that includes tracks and can be adapted to bend from a input of electric power supply to electrical accessories.

Figure 4 shows a detail of the pivoting rod 2. The microswitches are devices that interrupt an electrical circuit and, in this way, activate the electrical accessories. The first micro-switch 6 at the top and end of the pivoting rod 2 controls the illumination of the mirror when the hood 1 remains in the folded storage position. The second microswitch 90 at the bottom controls the illumination of the mirror when the mirror lid 91 is manipulated. The microswitches 6, 90 are connected in sequence.

The lighting possibilities are: Figure 5 shows side details with the tube or means for receiving the conductor 4, and the pivoting rod 2. The tube or means for accommodating the conductor 4 are open to allow the assembly of the conductor 3, that is, the flexible tape ( CPF or CIF). At the second end of the pivoting rod 22, a flange or a tongue is seen, which acts as a pusher for the closest micro-switch 6.

Figure 6 shows a detail of the sliding guide or sliding guide means 5. The sliding guide slides in the frame and along the tube or housing means of the conduit 5 and is attached to the pivoting rod 2 and to the housing spring .

Figure 7 shows a detail of the remote control unit, for example a domotic "house-link" module 8. The power supply is provided through a connector.

Claims (10)

1. - A sliding parasol having: a pivoting rod (2) with a first end (21) hooked to be articulated to an interior roof of a vehicle, a second end (22) opposite the first end (21) and a hollow space ( 20) extending from the first end (21) to the second end (22); a parasol structure (1) coupled to the pivoting rod (2) of to allow the structure of the parasol (1) to be placed in a position of use selected from the folded position, the most pivoted use position and / or extended and intermediate positions thereof, pivoting about and moving along said pivoting rod (2); a conductor (3) for supplying power to at least one electrical device included in the structure of the parasol (1), said conductor (3) having: a first portion defined between the first end (21) of the pivoting rod (2) and the second end (22) of the pivoting rod (2), said first portion being housed in the hollow space (20) of the pivoting rod (2) and a second portion having at least a length that allows the structure of the sun visor (1) is positioned in the most widely used position; the structure of the parasol (1) comprising the means (4) for receiving the conductor to receive the second portion of the conductor, said means (4) for receiving the conductor parallel to the pivoting rod (2); characterized by: the driver housing means (4) is provided with a longitudinal slot (40); the conductor (3) comprises continuous conductor cables from the first end to at least one electrical device; the conductor (3) is folded transversely.

2. - The sliding parasol according to claim 1 also comprises sliding guiding means (5) fixed to the pivoting rod (2) to guide a sliding movement of the structure of the parasol (1) along the pivoting rod (2), being in turn, the sliding guiding means (2) in the sliding movement of the structure of the parasol (1), guided by the means (4) for housing the conductor.

3. - The sliding parasol according to claim 2, wherein the conductor (3) is a flexible tape.

4. - The sliding parasol according to claim 3, wherein the conductor (3) is a flexible printed circuit.

5. - The sliding parasol according to claim 1, in the conductor housing means (4) has an essentially U-shaped cross section.

6. - The sliding parasol according to claim 5, wherein the sliding guide means (5) has a protrusion (50) for coupling to the longitudinal groove (40) of the means for accommodating the conductor to prevent relative rotation in between

7. - The sliding parasol according to claim 1, further comprising a first micro-switch (6) for detecting a structure of the pivoted parasol (1) in the position of use.

8. - The sliding parasol according to claim 7, wherein the pivoting rod (2) comprises a tongue (7) for activating the first micro-switch (6).

9. - The sliding parasol according to claim 1, further comprising a domotic module (8).

10. - The sliding parasol according to any of claims 7-9 comprising: an integrated mr (9) provided with a cover (91); a second microswitch (90) for detecting the position of the lid (91); illumination means (92) to illuminate the integrated mr (9) according to the state of the first micro-switch (6) and the state of the second micro-switch (90).