Patent Application
20250222750
The present disclosure generally relates to vehicle sun visors to shade light from reaching a passenger and more particularly relates to visor systems that provide multidirectional shading.
A vehicle generally has a windshield, a rear window, and side windows through which light may enter the vehicle's interior. Front seat passengers in particular, are exposed to the light that enters through both the windshield and the side windows. The light may originate from a number of sources which may have various levels of intensities. Some light sources may be of a lower intensity and may not be in need of shading. Others, such as direct sunlight, may have a higher intensity and a way to provide at least partial shading may be desired.
In a number of situations, it may be desirable to shade a passenger's eyes from the light entering the vehicle's interior. Because roadways follow curves and travel routes include turns, the direction from which light sources enter the vehicle may be constantly changing. Accounting for these directional changes may become repeatedly necessary, which may require adjusting a sun visor to provide the desired shading effect. For example, when driving toward the sun, the driver may lower the sun visor over a part of the windshield. When the vehicle turns right, the driver may turn the sun visor away from the windshield to shade a part of the driver's side window. In a trip, this may require a large number of repeated adjustments.
Accordingly, it is desirable to provide vehicle sun visors with capabilities that meet a range of different light sources and driving directions. Preferably, this may be accomplished while minimizing the number of manual adjustments that must be made. Furthermore, other desirable features and characteristics of the present invention will become apparent from the subsequent detailed description and the appended claims, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and the foregoing introduction.
Systems are provided for shading light entering a vehicle. A visor system includes a visor body coupled with the vehicle by one hinge system. The visor body operates as a first shade. A cover is coupled with the visor body by another hinge system. The cover operates as a second shade. A mirror is disposed on the visor body, and the cover selectively covers the mirror.
In additional embodiments, the one hinge system includes a ball joint that allows the cover to move in multiple axes relative to the visor body.
In additional embodiments, the one hinge system includes a detachable hinge configured to separate the cover from the visor body.
In additional embodiments, the cover includes an extension that expands the cover in length from the visor body.
In additional embodiments, the cover includes a perimeter section defining an opening and includes a door coupled with the perimeter section by a third hinge system.
In additional embodiments, the vehicle includes a front windshield and a side window, wherein the visor body extends over the front windshield while the cover extends over the side window to simultaneously shade both front and side light.
In additional embodiments, the cover includes a perimeter section defining an opening and includes a door coupled with the perimeter section by a third hinge system. The opening registers with the mirror so that the door alternatively covers and uncovers the mirror.
In additional embodiments, a lamp is disposed on the visor body adjacent to the mirror. A switch activates the lamp when the door is opened.
In additional embodiments, the one hinge system includes a ball joint and a detachable hinge, wherein the ball joint is configured to allow the cover to move in multiple axes relative to the visor body when the detachable hinge is detached.
In additional embodiments, a lamp is included on the visor body, wherein the lamp is configured to remain off when the cover is opened for shading purposes.
In a number of additional embodiments, a visor system for a vehicle includes a visor body coupled with the vehicle by one hinge system, the visor body is constructed as a first shade. A cover is coupled with the visor body by another hinge system. The cover is constructed as an additional shade. A mirror is disposed on the visor body. The cover, when closed, selectively covers the mirror. A door is coupled with the cover by a third hinge system. The door operates to uncover the mirror when the cover is closed.
In additional embodiments, the one hinge system includes a ball joint that allow the cover to move in multiple axes relative to the visor body.
In additional embodiments, the one hinge system includes a detachable hinge that separates the cover from the visor body.
In additional embodiments, the cover includes an extension that expands the cover in length from the visor body.
In additional embodiments, the cover includes a perimeter section defining an opening. The door operates to close the opening.
In additional embodiments, the vehicle includes a front windshield and a side window. The visor body extends over the front windshield while the cover extends over the side window to simultaneously shade both front and side light.
In additional embodiments, the cover includes a perimeter section defining an opening. The opening registers with the mirror so that the door alternatively covers and uncovers the mirror.
In additional embodiments, a lamp is disposed on the visor body adjacent to the mirror. A switch activates the lamp when the door is opened.
In additional embodiments, the one hinge system includes a ball joint and a detachable hinge. The ball joint allows the cover to move in multiple axes relative to the visor body when the detachable hinge is detached.
In a number of other embodiments, visor system for a vehicle includes a visor body coupled with the vehicle by a hinge system. The visor body operates as a shade. A cover is coupled with the visor body by another hinge system. The cover operates as another shade. A mirror is included on the visor body. The cover operates, when closed, to selectively cover the mirror. A door is coupled with the cover by an additional hinge system. The door operates to selectively uncover the mirror when the cover is closed. One of the hinge systems includes a detachable hinge and a multi-axis hinge to allow the cover to move in multiple axes relative to the visor body.
The exemplary embodiments will hereinafter be described in conjunction with the following drawing figures, wherein like numerals denote like elements, and wherein:
The following detailed description is merely exemplary in nature and is not intended to limit the application and uses. Furthermore, there is no intention to be bound by any expressed or implied theory presented in the preceding introduction, brief summary or the following detailed description.
With reference to
Propulsion of the vehicle 100, such as on a roadway, is provided by a propulsion system (not shown). The propulsion system may be any of various types such as electric, internal combustion, hybrid, or others. Torque generated by the propulsion system is transferred to the wheel assemblies 108 to propel the vehicle 100, which may be done under manual and/or autonomous control.
In the current embodiment the body 102 includes a number of openings with glass windows including a windshield 112 and side windows 114, 116. During operation of the vehicle 100, light sources 118 at the exterior 110, such as the sun, may emit light 120 that enters to the interior 104 through the windshield 112 and/or side windows 114, 116. The amount and the direction of the light 120 may change repeatedly during operation of the vehicle 100. The visor system 106 selectively shades the light 120 from directly shining on the passengers, such as on the driver of the vehicle 100.
Referring additionally to
As shown in
Referring to
The upper hinge 140 is shown in isolation in
Referring to
As shown in
Accordingly, visor systems with multidirectional shading capabilities are provided. While at least one exemplary embodiment has been presented in the foregoing detailed description, it should be appreciated that a vast number of variations exist. It should also be appreciated that the exemplary embodiment or exemplary embodiments are only examples, and are not intended to limit the scope, applicability, or configuration of the disclosure in any way. Rather, the foregoing detailed description will provide those skilled in the art with a convenient road map for implementing the exemplary embodiment or exemplary embodiments. It should be understood that various changes can be made in the function and arrangement of elements without departing from the scope of the disclosure as set forth in the appended claims and the legal equivalents thereof.
