Patent Application
20190389282
This disclosure relates to a sun visor, and more particularly a sun visor near a windshield of a motor vehicle.
Some passenger vehicles include sun visors attached to a windshield or roof of a vehicle. Sun visors may be located at the driver and passenger seat, for example, and protect the driver and passenger from bright sunlight. Some known sun visors pivot to a stowed position when not in use, and may include a light and/or a vanity mirror.
A sun visor assembly for a vehicle according to an exemplary aspect of the present disclosure includes, among other things, a visor having a transparent portion and a circuit configured to control at least one function of the visor. The visor is pivotable between a first position and a second position.
In a further embodiment, the circuit comprises a printed circuit on the transparent portion.
In a further embodiment, the circuit is configured to adjust a tint of the transparent portion.
In a further embodiment, the visor has a camera and a transparent screen on the transparent portion, the transparent screen configured to display an image of an occupant of the vehicle.
In a further embodiment, the visor has a light.
In a further embodiment, the visor has a housing along a top edge of the transparent portion.
In a further embodiment, the circuit is arranged within the housing.
In a further embodiment, the visor receives power from a vehicle.
In a further embodiment, the visor comprises a clip for attaching to a vehicle.
In a further embodiment, the transparent visor is a display and the circuit is configured to adjust a brightness of the display.
In a further embodiment, the transparent visor is configured to display information for an occupant of a vehicle.
In a further embodiment, the information is at least one of a time, speed limit, vehicle speed, navigation instruction, compass, and warning information.
In a further embodiment, the sun visor is in communication with a remote device.
In a further embodiment, the remote device is one of a vehicle information system and a mobile device.
In a further embodiment, the sun visor communicates with the remote device wirelessly.
A vehicle according to an exemplary aspect of the present disclosure includes, among other things, a seat, a window near the seat, and a visor mounted near the window and the seat. The visor has a transparent portion. The visor is pivotable between a first position and a second position. A circuit is configured to control at least one function of the visor.
In a further embodiment, the circuit is configured to adjust a tint of the transparent visor.
In a further embodiment, the transparent portion has an electronic mirror.
In a further embodiment, the transparent portion is configured to display information for an occupant of the seat.
In a further embodiment, the visor is configured to pivot about two axes.
The assembly 20 includes a visor 26 made of a tinted transparent material, such as an acrylic material. In one example, the visor 26 is tinted a gray shade to help block sunlight while still allowing the driver to see his or her surroundings. In other embodiments, the visor 26 may be tinted other shades, such as to match the interior of the vehicle, or for particular applications such as evening driving. The visor 26 may be generally rectangular in shape, and have a generally uniform thickness. The visor 26 may include a thicker perimeter extending about the visor 26. In one example, the perimeter is rounded, and has a radius of about 3.5 mm.
The visor 26 is movable between a stowed position and a deployed position. In the stowed position, the visor 26 is generally adjacent a roof of the vehicle, while in the deployed position, the visor 26 is generally adjacent a windshield of the vehicle. The visor 26 is attached to the mount 24 at a corner 23. In this example, the visor 26 moves between the stowed and deployed positions by pivoting about an axis A. The visor 26 may also move in a direction parallel to the axis A, to allow the driver of the vehicle to further adjust the visor 26. In some examples, the visor 26 is also pivotable about an axis B.
The visor 26 includes a printed circuit 28 and circuit housing 30. The printed circuit 28 may be embedded on the acrylic surface of the visor 26, and may provide several functions to the visor 26. In the illustrated example, the circuit housing 30 is arranged along a top edge of the visor 26. In other examples, it may be arranged along a different edge, such as a side edge.
The visor 26 may be tintable to adjust the amount of sunlight protection. For example, a driver may want the visor 26 darker on very bright days. The printed circuit 28 includes a dimmer switch 32. In the illustrated embodiment, the dimmer switch 32 is a touch slider. In this example, a driver may slide a finger along the switch 32 or touch a particular point along the dimmer switch 32 to adjust the visor 26 darker or lighter. In the illustrated example, the switch 32 is arranged along a bottom edge of the visor 26. In other examples, the switch 32 may be arranged along a top edge or side of the visor 26. The adjustable tint function may be mechanically implemented, or electronically implemented.
The visor 26 may be made with smart glass, such as that made by VG SMARTGLASS, LLC. In some embodiments, the tint of the visor 26 may automatically adjust based on an amount of sunlight detected. In this embodiment, the assembly 20 may include a light or temperature sensor, for example.
The visor 26 may include a light and electronic vanity “mirror.” In one example, a light 34 is located on the circuit housing 30. The light 34 may be controlled via a switch, in one example. The visor 26 may include an “electronic mirror”—that is, a camera and screen. The driver may turn the “electronic mirror” on and off at a switch 36. In the illustrated example, the switch 36 is part of the printed circuit 28. However, in other embodiments, the switch 36 may be located on the circuit housing 30. A camera 38 is positioned to be facing the driver. When the driver switches the “electronic mirror” on, a transparent screen 40 displays the drivers face as captured by the camera 38. This allows the driver to see himself or herself on the screen in real time, as with a mirror. The screen 40 is transparent when it is off, so the driver can see through that portion of the visor 26 when the “electronic mirror” is not in use. In one embodiment, the transparent screen 40 is at least 140 mm long by 65 mm tall, though larger and smaller transparent screens are contemplated within the scope of this disclosure.
In one embodiment, the electronic components of the visor assembly 20 may be powered by a lithium battery. In other embodiments, the visor assembly 20 may receive power from the vehicle 22.
The National Highway Traffic and Safety Administration (“NHTSA”) requires certain warning labels to be posted on sun visors in some vehicles. In one embodiment, the warning label may be displayed on the screen 40. In other embodiments, the warning label may be placed on the vehicle 22 near the visor assembly 20.
The assembly 220 includes a visor 226 made of a tinted transparent material, such as an acrylic or glass material. In one example, the visor 226 is tinted a gray shade to help block sunlight while still allowing the driver to see his or her surroundings. In other embodiments, the visor 226 may be tinted other shades, such as to match the interior of the vehicle, or for particular applications such as evening driving. The visor 226 may be generally rectangular in shape, and have a generally uniform thickness.
The visor 226 is movable between a stowed position and a deployed position. In the stowed position, the visor 226 is generally adjacent a roof of the vehicle, while in the deployed position, the visor 226 is generally adjacent a windshield of the vehicle. In this example, the visor 226 moves between the stowed and deployed positions by pivoting about an axis A. The visor 226 may also move in a direction parallel to the axis A, to allow the driver of the vehicle to further adjust the visor 226. In some examples, the visor 226 is also pivotable about an axis B. Thus, the visor assembly 220 may rotate between stowed and deployed positions (about axis A), pivot to the side (about axis B), and/or slide (along axis A).
The assembly 220 includes a housing 230 containing electronic components for providing functions to the visor 226. In the illustrated example, the housing 230 is arranged along a top edge of the visor 226. In other examples, it may be arranged along a different edge, such as a side edge. The visor 226 may include an electronic mirror 232 and an information display 234. In some embodiments, the assembly 220 may include a light on the visor 226 or the housing 230. The housing 230 includes a printed circuit board 231 for controlling at least some of these visor functions. In an embodiment, the printed circuit board 231 is about 40 mm×40 mm. The functions of the visor 226 may be controlled via a switch, button, or touchpad, in one example. In an embodiment, the functions of the visor 226 may be controlled via a user input area 236 located in the housing 230.
In an embodiment, the mirror 232 is an “electronic mirror”—that is, a camera and screen. The driver may turn the “electronic mirror” on and off at a switch 236. In the illustrated example, the switch 36 is located in the housing 230. The assembly 220 may include a camera positioned to be facing the driver. When the driver switches the “electronic mirror” on, the electronic mirror 232 displays the drivers face as captured by the camera. This allows the driver to see himself or herself on the screen in real time, as with a mirror. The mirror display 232 is transparent when it is off, so the driver can see through that portion of the visor 226 when the “electronic mirror” is not in use. In one embodiment, the electronic mirror 232 is at least 140 mm long by 65 mm tall, though larger and smaller transparent screens are contemplated within the scope of this disclosure. The electronic mirror 232 may be fully translucent, or partially translucent. For example, the electronic mirror 232 may be switched between 100% translucent and 50% translucent when on.
Referring to
The visor 226 may be tintable to adjust the amount of sunlight protection. For example, a driver may want the visor 226 darker on very bright days. The housing 230 may include a dimmer switch 242. In the illustrated embodiment, the dimmer switch 242 is a touch slider. In this example, a driver may slide a finger along the switch 242 or touch a particular point along the dimmer switch 242 to adjust the visor 226 darker or lighter. This adjustable tint function may be mechanically implemented, or electronically implemented.
The visor 226 may be made with smart glass, such as that made by VG SMARTGLASS, LLC. In some embodiments, the tint of the visor 226 may automatically adjust based on an amount of sunlight detected. In this embodiment, the assembly 220 may include a light or temperature sensor, for example. The visor 226 may also be adjustable via a translucent film on the entire visor 226.
The functions of the visor, such as the information display 234 may be adjustable. For example, the display 234 may be adjusted brighter or dimmer, depending on the amount of ambient light. The housing 230 may include a dimmer switch 244, such as a touch slider. In this example, a driver may slide a finger along the switch 244 or touch a particular point along the dimmer switch 244 to adjust the display 234 darker or lighter. The dimmer switches 242, 244 may be capacitive touch switches, for example.
In a further embodiment, the visor assembly 220 may connect through Bluetooth. An indicator 239 indicates whether the assembly 220 is connected. The functions of the visor assembly 220, such as dimming the display 234 or adjusting the tint of the visor 226 may be further controlled via the Bluetooth connection. In some embodiments, the visor assembly 220 may communicate with other devices within the vehicle via the Bluetooth connection. The visor assembly 220 may receive data from a vehicle information system in the vehicle cabin 222 and/or data from a mobile device, such as a smart phone. In one example, the visor assembly 220 communicates with the vehicle information system or mobile device via a Bluetooth connection.
Referring to
The National Highway Traffic and Safety Administration (“NHTSA”) requires certain warning labels to be posted on sun visors in some vehicles. As shown in
As shown in
Although the different embodiments are illustrated as having specific components, the embodiments of this disclosure are not limited to those particular combinations. It is possible to use some of the components or features from any of the embodiments in combination with features or components from any of the other embodiments.
The foregoing description shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in any limiting sense. A worker of ordinary skill in the art would understand that certain modifications could come within the scope of this disclosure.
This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/687,431 filed on Jun. 20, 2018 and U.S. Provisional No. 62/788,374 filed on Jan. 4, 2019.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 62687431 | Jun 2018 | US | |
| 62788374 | Jan 2019 | US |
