WO2020260511A1

WO2020260511A1 - Main body element of a sun visor assembly, sun visor assembly having such a main body element, and method for assembling a sun visor

Info

Publication number: WO2020260511A1
Application number: PCT/EP2020/067919
Authority: WO
Inventors: Patrick Welter; Frédéric SELVINI; Dorian ZOSSI; Gaëtan PICK
Original assignee: Daimay France Sas
Priority date: 2019-06-28
Filing date: 2020-06-25
Publication date: 2020-12-30

Abstract

The present invention relates to a main body element (2) of a sun visor (1), wherein the main body element (2) corresponds to a sun-shade portion of the sun visor (1) and comprises, in correspondence with a longitudinal top edge thereof, a tube receiving portion (3) that is configured to preferably releasably receive a tube (4) of a slide-on-rod assembly of the sun visor (1), wherein the tube receiving portion (3) is defined between a first projection or tab (5) of the main body element (2) and a second projection or tab (6) of the main body element (2), said first projection or tab (5) being pivotably connected to the main body element (2) such that the first projection or tab (5) is pivotable relative to the main body element (2) between a first position in which the tube (4) of the slide-on-rod assembly is engaged between the first and second projections or tabs (5, 6), and a second position in which an engagement of the first projection or tab (5) with the tube (4) is released.

Description

MAIN BODY ELEMENT OF A SUN VISOR ASSEMBLY, SUN VISOR ASSEMBLY HAVING SUCH A MAIN BODY ELEMENT, AND METHOD FOR ASSEMBLING A SUN

VISOR

Description

The invention relates to sun visor for vehicles and, especially, to longitudinally displaceable sun visors, that is, to sun visors that are axially displaceable with regard to their pivot rod. Many vehicles employ sun visors to shield occupants from sunlight, thereby enabling the occupants to focus on the surrounding environment. For example, certain vehicles include sun visors positioned adjacent to a top portion of the windshield to facilitate access by a driver and/or front passenger. Under certain lighting condition, a driver may deploy the sun visor to reduce light transmission into the vehicle interior, thereby enabling the driver to focus on vehicle operations.

Certain sun visors include a positioning assembly configured to enable the sun visor to rotate between a stowage position and a deployed position, and to enable the sun visor to slide from a retracted position to an extended position. The positioning assembly may comprise a slide-on-rod assembly including an ability to move within the tube. The tube is configured to be secured to a main body element of the sun visor, and the carriage assembly is configured to be secured to a pivot rod of the sun visor. The sun visor may move between the retracted and extended positions via translation of the tube relative to the carriage assembly along a longitudinal axis.

Unfortunately, lack of rigidity and potential noises problems around the tube may occur. Moreover, in the prior art, the tube i s assembled on the main body element of the sun visor by a deformation which does not allow to transmit any mechanical forces from the fixation of the tube to the moving area of the slide- on-rod assembly.

Hence, an objective of the invention is to provide for simple structure that allows for an easy assembly of sun visors, using low-cost materials and components, while at the same time an optimized force transmission from the fixation of the tube to the moving area of the slide-on-rod assembly is achieved .

A first aspect of the invention relates to a main body element of a sun visor assembly, wherein the main body element corresponds to a sun -shade portion of the sun visor assembly and comprises, in correspondence with a longitudinal top edge thereof, a tube receiving portion that is configured to preferably releasably receive a tube of a slide-on-rod assembly of the sun visor assembly, wherein the tube receiving portion is defined between a first projection or tab of the main body element and the second projection or tab of the main body element, said first projection or tab being pivotably connected to the main body element such that the first projection or tab is pivotable relative to the main body element between a first position in which the tube of the slide-on-rod assembly is engaged between the first and second projections or tabs, and the second position in which an engagement of the first projection or tab with the tube is released.

A second aspect of the invention relates to a sun visor assembly for vehicles, comprising a main body element corresponding to a sun-shade portion of the sun visor, said main body element comprising, in correspondence, with longitudinal top edge thereof, a tube receiving portion, and wherein the sun visor assembly further comprises a slide-on-rod assembly including a tube and a carriage configured to move within the tube. The tube of the slide-on-rod assembly is configured to be received by the tube receiving portion, wherein the tube receiving portion is defined between a first projection or tab of the main body element and a second projection or tab of the main body element, said first projection or tab being pivotably connected to the main body element such that the first projection or tab is pivotable relative to the main body element between a first position in which the tube of the slide-on-rod assembly is engaged between the first and second projections or tabs, and the second position in which an engagement of the first projection or tab with the tube is released.

In accordance with some embodiments of the present invention, the first projection or tab is formed at a first end portion of a deformation/bending arm, wherein the deformation/bending arm comprises a second end portion opposite the first end portion, and wherein the deformation/bending arm is pivotably connected with the main body element via its second end portion.

At least in the first position of the first projection or tab, the deformation/bending arm preferably forms at least partly a vertical side edge of the main body element.

The deformation/bending arm may comprise centering means for aligning the deformation/bending arm with the main body element during the swivel of the deformation/bending arm relative to the main body element in the first position of the first projection or tab. For example, the centering means may comprise first guiding elements arranged at the deformation/bending arm and second guiding elements arranged at a vertical side edge of the main body element facing the deformation/bending arm, said second centering means being at least partly complementary to the first guiding elements.

In accordance with some embodiments of the present invention, the

deformation/bending arm may comprise locking means for preferably releasable locking the deformation/bending arm with the main body element in a state when the first projection or tab is in its first position. For example, the locking means may comprise first locking elements arranged at the deformation/bending arm and second locking elements arranged at a vertical side edge of the main body element facing the deformation/bending arm, said second locking elements being at least partly complementary in accordance with present invention, the deformation/bending arm and the main body element are together formed in one piece as an injection molded part. The deformation/bending arm may comprise an intrinsic spring tension such that the first projection or tab is biased in the direction of the second position of the first projection or tab.

In accordance with some embodiments of the present invention, the first projection or tab comprises a first fitting that extends in the direction of the second projection or tab, wherein the second projection or tab comprises a second fitting that extends in the direction of the first projection or tab, said first and second fittings being adapted to receive a corresponding end portion of the tube preferably in a form-fitting manner.

Preferably, the first projection or tab comprises a through-hole that is parallel aligned with regard to the longitudinal top edge of the main body element when the first projection or tab is in its first position, said through-hole being configured to receive a pivot rod of the sun visor assembly.

The main body element may comprise a grid-shape portion covered by a non- translucent material so as to provide for a main sun-shade portion of the sun visor. A further aspect of the present invention relates to a method for

assembling a sun visor for vehicles. According to the inventive method, main body element according to the above-discussed art is provided. Moreover, a tube of a slide-on-rod assembly is provided. Then, the tube is inserted into the tube receiving portion of the main body element such that second end portion of the tube is received by a fitting of the second projection or tab of the main body element. Then, the first projection or tab is moved in its first position, wherein during movement (swiveling) the first projection or tab a first end portion of the tube opposite the second end portion thereof is received by a fitting of the first projection or tab. Finally, the first projection or tab is locked in its first position.

To complete the description and in order to provide for a better understanding of the invention, a set of drawings is provided. Said drawing form an integral part of the description and illustrated a preferred embodiment of the invention, which should not be interpreted as restricting the scope of invention, but just as an example of how the invention can be embodied. The drawings comprise the following figures: FIG. 1 is a perspective top view of a sun visor assembly in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention, wherein the sun visor assembly is shown in a retracted position.

FIG. 2 is a partial perspective view of the sun visor assembly according to

FIG. 1, wherein the sun visor assembly is in an extended position.

FIG. 3 is a top view of a main body element of the sun visor assembly according to FIG. 1, wherein a tube of a slide-on-rod assembly is attached to the main body element of the sun visor.

FIG. 4 is a detailed view of FIG. 3 showing the area around a first

projection or tab of the main body element in a state where an end portion of the tube is engaged with the first projection or tab of the main body element.

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the sun visor assembly of FIG. 4, taken a long line A-A.

FIG. 6 is a top view of the main body element of the sun visor assembly on

FIG. 3 in a state where the tube of the slide-on-rod assembly is not fixed to the tube receiving portion of the main body element, and where the main body element is in its injection (natu ral) shape.

FIG. 7 is a detailed view of FIG. 6 showing the area around the first

projection or tab of the main body element.

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of the main body element of FIG. 7, taken along line B-B.

FIG. 9 is a top view of the main body element of FIG. 3 in a state, where the tube of the slide-on-rod assembly is received by the tube receiving portion of the main body element and engaged by the second projection or tab of the main body element.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a sun visor assembly 1 in accordance of the present invention. The sun visor assembly 1 is intended to be installed within an interior of a vehicle. In such embodiments, a sun visor assembly 1 is configured to shield a vehicle occupant from sunlight. The sun visor assembly 1 may include a slide-on-rod assembly configured to enable the sun visor 1 to rotate between a stowage position and a deployed position, and to enable the sun visor 1 to slide from a retracted position (see FIG. 1) to an extended position (see FIG. 2).

As illustrated in FIG. 1, the sun visor 1 may have a vanity mirror assembly.

Flowever, in certain embodiments, the vanity mirror assembly may be omitted. As already indicated, in the illustrated embodiment, the sun visor 1 is configured to rotate about a rotational axis between a stowage position (e.g., parallel to a headliner of the vehicle interior and/or in contact with the headliner) and the illustrated usage position (e.g., deployed to reduce light transmission into the vehicle interior). For example, to transition the sun visor 1 from the illustrated usage position to the stowage position, a vehicle occupant may rotate the sun visor 1 in a first rotational direction about the rotational axis. Conversely, to transition the sun visor 1 from the stowage position to the illustrated usage position, the vehicle occupant may rotate the sun visor 1 in a second rotational direction about the rotational axis.

In the illustrated embodiment, the sun visor 1 is also configured to rotate about a second rotational axis between the illustrated usage position and the second usage position (e.g., proximate to a window of the vehicle to reduce light transmission through the window). For example, to transition the sun visor 1 from the illustrated usage position to the second usage position, a vehicle occupant may rotate the sun visor 1 in a third rotational direction about the second rotational axis. Conversely, to transition the sun visor 1 from the second usage position to the illustrated usage position, the vehicle occupant may rotate the sun visor 1 in the fourth rotational direction about the second rotational axis. In any case, the sun visor 1 may move between a retracted position (see FIG. 1) and an extended position (see FIG. 2) while in the second usage position.

In order to allow the movement of the sun visor 1 between a retracted position and an extended position, a slide-on-rod assembly may be employed within the sun visor 1. In the illustrated embodiment, the slide-on-rod assembly includes a tube 4 (e.g., formed from steel via bending and welding processes, from aluminum via an extrusion process, from plastic via an injection molding process, etc.) and a carriage assembly configured to be disposed within the tube 4. As discussed in detail below, the tube 4 of the slide-on-rod assembly is configured to be secured to the sun visor 1 and, in particular, to a main body element 2 of the sun visor 1, and the carriage assembly of the slide-on-rod assembly is configured to be secured to a pivot rod 12 of the sun visor 1. The sun visor 1 may move between the retracted and extended positions via translation of the tube 4 relative to the carriage assembly along a longitudinal axis.

FIG. 3 is a top view of the main body element 2 of the sun visor 1, wherein the tube 4 of the slide-on-rod assembly is secured in a tube receiving portion 3 of the main body element 2.

In more detail, in the illustrated embodiment, the tube receiving portion 3 of the main body element 2 of the sun visor 1 is formed between a first projection or tab 5 of the main body element 2 and a second projection or tab 6 of the main body element 2. In the illustrated embodiment, the second projection or tab 6 is fixed to the main body element 2 of the sun visor 1 such that the second projection or tab 6 cannot be moved relatively to the main body element 2.

Preferably, the main body element 2 and the second projection or tab 6 are together formed in one piece as an injection molded part.

As can be seen from FIGs. 6 and 9, however, in the illustrated embodiment of the sun visor 1 the first projection or tab 5 of the main body element 2 of the sun visor 1 is pivotably connected to the main body element 2. In more detail, the first projection or tab 5 of the main body element 2 is pivotably connected to the main body element 2 such that the first projection or tab 5 is pivotable relative to the main body element 2 between a first position in which the tube 4 of the slide- on-rod assembly is engaged between the first and second projections or tabs 5, 6 (see FIG. 3), and second position in which an engagement of the first projection or tab 5 of the main body element 2 of the sun visor 1 with the tube 4 is released (see for example, FIG. 6 or FIG. 7). Preferably, the first projection or tab 5 of the main body element 2 is also formed together with the main body element 2 in one piece as an injection molded part.

As illustrated, in particular, in FIG. 6 or FIG. 9, the main body element 2 of the sun visor 1 is provided with a deformation/bending arm 7 integrally formed with the main body element 2, wherein the first projection or tab 5 is formed at the first end portion of the deformation/bending arm 7, and wherein a second end portion of the deformation/bending arm 7 opposite the first end portion is used for pivotably connecting the deformation/bending arm 7 with the main body element 2. As can be seen from FIG. 3, at least in the first position of the first projection or tab 5, the deformation/bending arm 7 forms at least partly a vertical side edge of the main body element 2.

The deformation/bending arm 7 and the main body element 2 together with the first and second projections or tabs 5, 6 are together formed in one piece as an injection molded part.

Preferably, the deformation/bending arm 7 comprises an intrinsic spring tension such that the deformation/bending arm 7 is biased in a direction in which the first projection or tab 5 is in its second position (see for example FIG. 7).

As illustrated in Figures 4 and 5 and FIGs. 7 and 8, the deformation/bending arm 7 comprises centering means 8 for aligning the deformation/bending arm 7 with the main body element 2 of the sun visor 1 during the swivel of the

deformation/bending arm 7 relative to the main body element 2 in the first position of the first projection or tab 5. For example, the centering means 8 may comprise first guiding elements arranged at the deformation/bending arm 7 and second guiding elements arranged at the vertical side edge of the main body element 2 facing the deformation/bending arm 7, wherein the second guiding elements are at least partly complementary to the first guiding elements.

In accordance with the illustrated embodiment, the deformation/bending arm 7 also comprises locking means 9 for preferably releasable locking the

deformation/bending arm 7 with the main body element 2 in a state when the first projection or tab 5 is in its first position. For example, the locking means 9 may comprise first locking elements arranged at the deformation/bending arm 7 and the second locking elements arranged at the vertical side edge of the main body element 2 of the sun visor 1 facing the deformation/bending arm 7, wherein the second locking elements are at at least partly complementary to the first locking elements.

As can be seen from FIG. 7, the first projection or tab 5 of the main body element 2 may comprise a first fitting 10 that extends in the direction of the second projection or tab 6 (not illustrated in FIG. 7). In a similar way, the second projection or tab 6 may comprise a second fitting 11 that extends in the direction of the first projection or tab 5. The first and second fittings 10, 11 are preferably adapted to receive a corresponding end portion of the tube 4 preferably in a form-fitting manner.

Although not illustrated in the accompanying drawings, the first projection or tab 5 shall comprise a through-hole that is parallel aligned with regard to the longitudinal top edge of the main body element 2 when the first projection or tab 5 is in its first position (see FIG. 3 or FIG. 4). The through-hole of the first projection or tab 5 is configured to receive the pivot rod 12 of the sun visor 1 assembly 1.

The main body element 2 of the sun visor 1 comprises a grid-shaped portion covered by a non-translucent material so as to provide for a main sun-shade portion of the sun visor 1.

For assembling the sun visor 1, the main body element 2 according to the invention is provided. Then, a tube 4 of a slide-on-rod assembly is inserted into the tube receiving portion 3 of the main body element 2, i.e. the portion of the main body element 2 defined between the first and second projections or tabs of the main body element 2. In more detail, and as illustrated in FIG. 9, the tube 4 is inserted into the tube receiving portion 3 of the main body element 2 such that a second end portion of tube 4 is received by a corresponding fitting of the second projection or tab 6 of the main body element 2.

Thereafter, the deformation/bending arm 7 with the first projection or tab 5 is swiveled such that the first projection or tab 5 is moved in its first position (see FIG. 3). During the movement of the first projection or tab 5 in its first position, a first end portion of the tube 4 of the slide-on-rod assembly, i.e. the end portion of the tube 4 opposite to the second end portion of the tube 4 that is already engaged by the fitting of the second projection or tab 6 is received by a fitting of the first projection or tab 5. Then, the first projection or tab 5 or, in detail, the deformation/bending arm 7 with the first projection or tab 5 is locked such that the first projection or tab 5 remains in its first position. The present invention facilitates the assembly of the tube 4 on the main body element 2 of the sun visor 1. At the same time, an optimized force transmission from the tube receiving portion 3 of the main body element 2 to a carriage of the slide-on-rod assembly is obtained.

While all the certain features and embodiments of the invention have been illustrated and described, many modifications and changes may occur to those skilled in the art (e.g., variations in sizes, dimensions, structures, shapes and proportions of the various elements, mounting arrangements, use of materials), without materially departing from the novel teachings and advantages of the subject-matter recited in the claims. The order of sequence of any process or method steps may be varied or re-sequenced according to alternative

embodiments.

List of reference numerals

1 sun visor assembly/sun visor

2 main body element

3 tube receiving portion

4 tube of a slide-on-rod assembly

5 first projection or tab

6 second projection or tab

7 deformation/bending arm

8 centering means

9 locking means

10 first fitting

11 second fitting

12 pivot rod

Claims

MAIN BODY ELEMENT OF A SUN VISOR, SUN VISOR ASSEMBLY HAVING SUCH A MAIN BODY ELEMENT, AND METHOD FOR ASSEMBLING A SUN VISOR Claims

1. Main body element (2) of a sun visor (1), wherein the main body element (2) corresponds to a sun-shade portion of the sun visor (1) and comprises, in correspondence with a longitudinal top edge thereof, a tube receiving portion (3) that is configured to preferably releasably receive a tube (4) of a slide-on-rod assembly of the sun visor (1), wherein the tube receiving portion (3) is defined between a first projection or tab (5) of the main body element (2) and a second projection or tab (6) of the main body element (2), said first projection or tab (5) being pivotably connected to the main body element (2) such that the first projection or tab (5) is pivotable relative to the main body element (2) between a first position in which the tube (4) of the slide-on-rod assembly is engaged between the first and second projections or tabs (5, 6), and a second position in which an engagement of the first projection or tab (5) with the tube (4) is released.

2. Main body element (2) according to claim 1,

wherein the first projection or tab (5) is formed at the first end portion of a deformation/bending arm (7), and wherein the deformation/bending arm (7) comprises a second end portion opposite the first end portion, wherein the deformation/bending arm (7) is pivotably connected with the main body element (2) via its second end portion.

3. Main body element (2) according to claim 2,

wherein - at least in the first position of the first projection or tab (5) - the deformation/bending arm (7) forms at least partly a vertical side edge of the main body element (2).

4. Main body element (2) according to claim 2 or 3,

wherein the deformation/bending arm (7) comprises centering means (8) for aligning the deformation/bending arm (7) with the main body element (2) during the swivel of the deformation/bending arm (7) relative to the main body element (2) in the first position of the first projection or tab (5).

5. Main body element (2) according to one of claims 2 to 4,

wherein the deformation/bending arm (7) comprises locking means (9) for preferably releasable locking the deformation/bending arm (7) with the main body element (2) in a state when the first projection or tab (5) is in its first position.

6. Main body element (2) according to one of claims 2 to 5,

wherein the deformation/bending arm (7) and the main body element (2) are together formed in one piece as an injection molded part.

7. Sun visor assembly (1) for vehicles, comprising:

a main body element (2) corresponding to a sun-shade portion of the sun visor (1), said main body element (2) comprising, in

correspondence with a longitudinal top edge thereof, a tube receiving portion (3); and

a slide-or-rod assembly including a tube (4) and a carriage configured to move within the tube (4),

wherein the tube (4) of the slide-on-rod assembly is configured to be received by the tube receiving portion (3), and wherein the tube receiving portion (3) is defined between a first projection or tab (5) of the main body element (2) and the second projection or tab (6) of the main body element (2), said first projection or tab (5) being pivotably connected to the main body element (2) such that the first projection or tab (5) is pivotable relative to the main body element (2) between a first position in which the tube (4) of the slide-on-rod assembly is engaged between the first and second projections or tabs, and the second position in which an engagement of the first projection or tab (5) with the tube (4) is released.

8. Sun visor assembly (1) according to claim 7,

wherein the first projection or tab (5) is formed at a first end portion of a deformation/bending arm (7), and wherein the deformation/bending arm (7) comprises a second end portion opposite the first end portion, wherein the deformation/bending arm (7) is pivotably connected with the main body element (2) via its second end portion.

9. Sun visor assembly (1) according to claim 8,

10. Sun visor assembly (1) according to claim 8 or 9,

wherein the deformation/bending arm (7) comprises centering means (8) for aligning the deformation/bending arm (7) with the main body element (2) during the swivel of the deformation/bending arm (7) relative to the main body element (2) and the first position of the first projection or tab (5).

11. Sun visor assembly (1) according to claim 10,

wherein said centering means (8) comprises first guiding element arranged at the deformation/bending arm (7) and the second guiding elements arranged at a vertical side edge of the main body element (2) facing the deformation/bending arm (7), said second guiding elements being at least partly complementary to said first guiding elements.

12. Sun visor assembly (1) according to one of claims 8 to 11,

13. Sun visor assembly (1) according to claim 12,

wherein said locking means (9) comprises first locking elements arranged at the deformation/bending arm (7) and second locking elements arranged at the vertical side edge of the main body element (2) facing the deformation/bending arm (7), said second locking elements being at least partly complementary to the first locking elements.

14. Sun visor assembly (1) according to one of claims 8 to 13,

15. Sun visor assembly (1) according to one of claims 7 to 13,

wherein the first projection or tab (5) is biased in the direction of its second position.

16. Sun visor assembly (1) according to one of claims 8 to 14,

wherein in the deformation/bending arm (7) comprises an intrinsic spring tension such that the first projection or tab (5) is biased in the direction of the second position of the first projection or tab (5).

17. Sun visor assembly (1) according to one of claims 7 to 16,

wherein the first projection or tab (5) comprises a first fitting (10) that extends in the direction of the second projection or tab (6), and wherein the second projection or tab (6) comprises a second fitting (11) that extends in the direction of the first projection or tab (5), said first and second fittings (10, 11) being adapted to receive a corresponding end portion of the tube (4) preferably in a form-fitting manner.

18. Sun visor assembly (1) according to one of claims 7 to 17,

wherein the first projection or tab (5) comprises a through-hole that is parallel aligned with regard to the longitudinal top edge of the main body element (2) when the first projection or tab (5) is in its first position, said through-hole being configured to receive a pivot rot of the sun visor assembly (1).

19. Sun visor assembly (1) according to one of claims 7 to 18, wherein the main body element (2) comprises a grid-shape portion covered by a non-translucent material so as to provide for a main sun shade portion of the sun visor (1).

20. Method for assembling a sun visor (1) for vehicles, comprising:

providing a main body element (2) according to one of claims 1 to 6; providing a tube (4) of a slide-on-rod assembly;

inserting the tube (4) into the tube receiving portion (3) of the main body element (2) such that a second end portion of the tube (4) is received by a fitting of the second projection or tab (6) of the main body element (2);

swiveling the first projection or tab (5) in its first position, wherein during swiveling the first projection or tab (5) in its first position a first end portion of the tube (4) opposite the second end portion thereof is received by a fitting of the first projection or tab (5); and

locking the first projection or tab (5) in its first position.