阅读说明：本技术 用于机动车辆的遮阳板 (Sun visor for motor vehicles ) 是由 王建华 乔治·F·兰伯特 普雷姆·昌德·卡特拉加达 于 2019-06-20 设计创作，主要内容包括：本发明涉及一种用于车辆的遮阳板组件,根据本公开的示例性方面,其尤其包括具有透明部分的遮阳板以及被配置用于控制遮阳板的至少一种功能的电路。遮阳板可在第一位置与第二位置之间枢转。(The present invention relates to a visor assembly for a vehicle, which, according to an exemplary aspect of the present disclosure, includes, inter alia, 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.)

1. A visor assembly for a vehicle, comprising:

a visor having a transparent portion, the visor being pivotable between a first position and a second position; and

circuitry configured to control at least one function of the visor.

2. The visor assembly of claim 1 wherein said electrical circuit comprises a printed circuit on said transparent portion.

3. The visor assembly of claim 1 wherein said circuit is configured for adjusting a tint of said transparent portion.

4. The visor assembly of claim 1 wherein said visor has a camera and a transparent screen on said transparent portion, said transparent screen configured to display an image of an occupant of said vehicle.

5. The visor assembly of claim 1 wherein said visor has a light.

6. The visor assembly of claim 1 wherein said visor has a shell along a top edge of said transparent portion.

7. The visor assembly of claim 6 wherein said electrical circuit is disposed within said housing.

8. The visor assembly of claim 1 wherein said visor receives power from a vehicle.

9. The visor assembly of claim 1 wherein said visor includes a clip for attachment to a vehicle.

10. The visor assembly of claim 1 wherein said transparent visor is a display and said circuit is configured to adjust a brightness of said display.

11. The visor assembly of claim 1 wherein said transparent visor is configured for displaying information to an occupant of a vehicle.

12. The visor assembly of claim 11 wherein said information is at least one of time, speed limit, vehicle speed, navigation instructions, compass and warning information.

13. The visor assembly of claim 11 wherein said visor is in communication with a remote device.

14. The sun visor assembly of claim 13 wherein said remote device is one of a vehicle information system and a mobile device.

15. The visor assembly of claim 13 wherein said visor is in wireless communication with said remote device.

16. A vehicle, comprising:

a seat;

a window adjacent the seat;

a visor mounted adjacent to the window and the seat, the visor having a transparent portion, the visor being pivotable between a first position and a second position; and

a circuit configured to control at least one function of the visor.

17. The vehicle of claim 1, wherein the circuit is configured to adjust the color tone of the transparent visor.

18. The vehicle of claim 1, wherein the transparent portion has an electronic mirror.

19. The vehicle of claim 1, wherein the transparent portion is configured to display information for an occupant of the seat.

20. The vehicle of claim 1, wherein the visor is configured to pivot about two axes.

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a sun visor, and more particularly to a sun visor adjacent a windshield of a motor vehicle.

Background

Some passenger vehicles include a visor that is attached to the windshield or roof of the vehicle. For example, the visor may be located at the driver and passenger seats and protect the driver and passengers from bright sunlight. Some known visors pivot to a stowed position when not in use and may include lights and/or vanity mirrors.

Disclosure of Invention

A 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 further embodiments, the circuitry comprises printed circuitry on the transparent portion.

In further embodiments, the circuit is configured to adjust the tint of the transparent portion.

In further embodiments, the visor has a camera and a transparent screen on a transparent portion, the transparent screen being configured to display an image of an occupant of the vehicle.

In a further embodiment, the sun visor has a light.

In further embodiments, the visor has a shell along the top edge of the transparent portion.

In further embodiments, the circuit is disposed within the housing.

In further embodiments, the visor receives power from the vehicle.

In further embodiments, the visor comprises a clip for attachment to a vehicle.

In further embodiments, the transparent visor is a display and the circuit is configured to adjust the brightness of the display.

In further embodiments, the transparent visor is configured to display information to an occupant of the vehicle.

In further embodiments, the information is at least one of time, speed limits, vehicle speed, navigation instructions, compass, and warning information.

In further embodiments, the visor is in communication with a remote device.

In further embodiments, the remote device is one of a vehicle information system and a mobile device.

In further embodiments, the visor is in wireless communication with a remote device.

A vehicle according to an exemplary aspect of the present disclosure includes, among other things, a seat, a window proximate the seat, and a visor mounted proximate the window and the seat. The visor has a transparent portion. The visor is pivotable between a first position and a second position. The circuit is configured to control at least one function of the visor.

In further embodiments, the circuit is configured to adjust the shade of the transparent visor.

In a further embodiment, the transparent portion has an electron mirror.

In further embodiments, the transparent portion is configured to display information for an occupant of the seat.

In further embodiments, the visor is configured for pivoting about two axes.

Drawings

FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary visor assembly.

FIG. 2 illustrates another example visor assembly.

FIG. 3 illustrates another example visor assembly.

FIG. 4 illustrates another view of an exemplary visor assembly.

FIG. 5 illustrates another view of an exemplary visor assembly.

FIG. 6 illustrates another view of an exemplary visor assembly.

FIG. 7 illustrates a cross-sectional view of an exemplary visor assembly.

FIG. 8 illustrates another view of an exemplary visor assembly.

Detailed Description

Fig. 1 illustrates an exemplary visor assembly 20. In this example, the visor assembly 20 is mounted in a vehicle cab 22 via a mount 24. For example, mount 24 may be attached to a corner of a windshield or roof of vehicle cab 22. The visor assembly 20 may be mounted in the vehicle cab 22 on the driver's side, the passenger's side, or both. In some examples, the visor assembly 20 may be mounted adjacent a rear seat or anywhere in the vehicle cab 22 to display information.

The assembly 20 includes a visor 26 made of a tinted, transparent material (e.g., an acrylic material). In one example, the sun visor 26 is shaded gray to help block sunlight while still allowing the driver to see his or her surroundings. In other embodiments, the visor 26 may be shaded to match the interior of the vehicle, or for certain applications, such as night 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 around the visor 26. In one example, the perimeter is circular 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 the roof of the vehicle, while in the deployed position, the visor 26 is generally adjacent the windshield of the vehicle. The visor 26 is attached to the mount 24 at a corner 23. In this example, the visor 26 is moved between the stowed and deployed positions by pivoting about an axis a. The visor 26 may also be movable 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 may also pivot about an axis B.

The visor 26 includes a printed circuit 28 and a circuit housing 30. The printed circuit 28 may be embedded on the acrylic surface of the visor 26 and may provide multiple functions to the visor 26. In the illustrated example, the circuit housing 30 is disposed along the top edge of the visor 26. In other examples, it may be disposed along a different edge (e.g., a side edge).

The visor 26 may be tintable to adjust the amount of shading. For example, the driver may desire the visor 26 to darken 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, the driver may slide a finger along the switch 32 or touch a particular point along the dimmer switch 32 to adjust the visor 26 to be darker or lighter. In the illustrated example, the switch 32 is disposed along the bottom edge of the visor 26. In other examples, the switch 32 may be disposed along the top edge or side of the visor 26. The tone-tuning function may be implemented mechanically or electronically.

The visor 26 may be made of smart glass, such as smart glass manufactured by the sumatchendel company (VG SMARTGLASS, LLC). In some embodiments, the shade of the visor 26 may be automatically adjusted based on the amount of sunlight detected. In this embodiment, the assembly 20 may include, for example, a light sensor or a temperature sensor.

The visor 26 may include a light and an electronic vanity "mirror". In one example, the light 34 is located on the circuit housing 30. In one example, the lights 34 may be controlled by a switch. The visor 26 may include an "electronic mirror," i.e., a camera and a screen. The driver can turn the "electronic mirror" on and off at switch 36. In the example shown, 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. The camera 38 is positioned to face the driver. When the driver turns on the "electronic mirror", the transparent screen 40 displays the face of the driver photographed 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 closed so that 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 140mm long and 65mm high, although larger and smaller transparent screens are contemplated within the scope of the present 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 safety administration ("NHTSA") requires certain warning labels to be posted on the visors of certain vehicles. In one embodiment, a warning label may be displayed on the screen 40. In other embodiments, the warning label may be placed adjacent the visor assembly 20 on the vehicle 22.

Fig. 2 illustrates another example visor assembly 120. In this example, the mount 124 allows the visor 126 to be attached to an existing vehicle. In the illustrated embodiment, the mount 124 is attached to the top edge of the visor 126 and is configured to clip onto an existing visor. In other embodiments, the mount 124 may be a suction cup configured to attach to a windshield or window of the vehicle 122. The assembly 120 may benefit from all of the various features disclosed above. Such attachment of the assembly 120 to an existing vehicle may provide sun protection for the driver and/or passengers without obstructing the view of the surrounding environment.

Fig. 3 to 8 show another example embodiment. Fig. 3 illustrates another example visor assembly 220. The visor assembly 220 is mounted in a vehicle cab 222 by a mount 224. For example, mount 224 may be attached to a corner of a windshield or roof of vehicle cab 222. The visor assembly 220 may be mounted in the vehicle cab 222 on the driver side, the passenger side, or both.

The assembly 220 includes a visor 226 made of a tinted, transparent material (e.g., an acrylic or glass material). In one example, the sun visor 226 is shaded gray to help block sunlight while still allowing the driver to see his or her surroundings. In other embodiments, the visor 226 may be shaded to match the interior of the vehicle, or for certain applications, such as night 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 the roof of the vehicle, while in the deployed position, the visor 226 is generally adjacent the windshield of the vehicle. In this example, the visor 226 moves between a stowed position and a deployed position by pivoting about an axis a. The visor 226 may also be movable 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 may also pivot about axis B. Accordingly, the visor assembly 220 may rotate (about axis a), pivot sideways (about axis B), and/or slide (along axis a) between the stowed and deployed positions.

The assembly 220 includes a housing 230, the housing 230 housing electronic components for providing functionality to the visor 226. In the illustrated example, the outer cover 230 is disposed along the top edge of the visor 226. In other examples, it may be disposed along a different edge (e.g., 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 lights 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 one embodiment, the printed circuit board 231 is about 40mm by 40 mm. In one example, the functions of the visor 226 may be controlled by a switch, button, or touch pad. In one embodiment, the function of the visor 226 may be controlled by a user input area 236 located in the housing 230.

In one embodiment, mirror 232 is an "electronic mirror," i.e., a camera and screen. The driver may turn the "electronic mirror" on and off at switch 236. In the example shown, the switch 36 is located in the housing 230. The assembly 220 may include a camera positioned to face the driver. When the driver turns on the "electronic mirror", the electronic mirror 232 displays the face of the driver photographed 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 closed so that the driver can see through this portion of the visor 226 when the "electronic mirror" is not in use. In one embodiment, the electron mirror 232 is at least 140mm long and 65mm high, although larger and smaller transparent screens are contemplated within the scope of the present disclosure. The electron mirror 232 may be fully or partially translucent. For example, the electron mirror 232 may switch between 100% translucent and 50% translucent when open.

Referring to fig. 4 and with continued reference to fig. 3, the housing 230 may include a number of buttons, switches, and/or indicators. In the example shown, the housing 230 includes a light 238. The assembly 220 may include a plurality of lights 238. In other embodiments, the light 238 may be located on other portions of the assembly 220. For example, the light 238 may be an LED light. The housing 230 may also include an on/off switch 240. In one example, the switch 240 controls the light 238 and the mirror 232.

The shade 226 may be colorable to adjust the amount of shade. For example, the driver may desire that the visor 226 darken 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, the driver may slide a finger along the switch 242 or touch a particular point along the dimmer switch 242 to adjust the visor 226 to be darker or lighter. The tone tuning function may be implemented mechanically or electronically.

The visor 226 may be made of smart glass, such as smart glass manufactured by the Schmidt Sheder company (VG SMARTGLASS, LLC). In some embodiments, the shade of the sun visor 226 may be automatically adjusted based on the amount of sunlight detected. In this embodiment, the component 220 may include, for example, a light sensor or a temperature sensor. The visor 226 may also be adjustable by a translucent film over the visor 226.

The function of the visor (e.g., the information display 234) may be adjustable. For example, the display 234 may be adjusted to be brighter or darker depending on the amount of ambient light. The housing 230 may include a dimmer switch 244, such as a touch slider. In this example, the driver may slide a finger along the switch 244 or touch a particular point along the dimmer switch 244 to dim or dim the display 234. For example, the dimming switches 242, 244 may be capacitive touch switches.

In further embodiments, visor assembly 220 may be connected via bluetooth. Indicator 239 indicates whether component 220 is connected. The functions of the visor assembly 220, such as dimming the display 234 or adjusting the shade of the visor 226, may be further controlled via a bluetooth connection. In some embodiments, visor assembly 220 may communicate with other devices within the vehicle through a bluetooth connection. The visor assembly 220 may receive data from a vehicle information system in the vehicle cab 222 and/or from a mobile device such as a smart phone. In one example, the visor assembly 220 communicates with a vehicle information system or mobile device via a bluetooth connection.

With reference to fig. 5 and with continuing reference to fig. 3 and 4, the information display 234 may display information to the driver. For example, the information display 234 may display information about navigation. For example, the display 234 may display the expected arrival time and the next turn or exit. For example, the display 234 may also display the current time, speed limit, current vehicle speed, weather, and/or GPS data. The entire visor 226 is transparent so that the driver can see the road through the visor 226 and the information display 234. Thus, in some embodiments, the information display 234 may occupy the entire visor 226, or only a portion of the visor 226. In one embodiment, the displayed information may be programmed as variables based on the design and location of the vehicle manufacturer.

The national highway traffic safety administration ("NHTSA") requires certain warning labels to be posted on the visors of certain vehicles. As shown in fig. 6, the warning label 246 may be an electronic warning label displayed on the visor 226. The warning label 246 may be displayed such that the driver of the vehicle 222 may view the warning label 246 when the visor 226 is in the stowed position. In other embodiments, the warning label 246 may be placed on the vehicle 222 near the visor assembly 220. The electronic warning label 246 may be turned on or off, or may be turned on and off automatically.

Fig. 7 and 8 show the arrangement of electronic components within the housing 230. In the illustrated embodiment, assembly 220 receives electrical power from vehicle 222 through mount 224. The mount 224 may include a telescoping rod 248, and the assembly 220 may receive 12V power through the telescoping rod 248. In another embodiment, the electronic components of the visor assembly 220 may be powered by a lithium battery.

As shown in fig. 7, the visor 226 may have a smaller thickness than the outer shell 230. In the illustrated embodiment, the visor 226 extends into the housing 230 to be secured to the housing 230. The visor 226 may have one or more protrusions 250 with holes 252 to secure to the housing 230. As shown in fig. 8, the visor 226 may include a circular edge around a perimeter 254 of the visor 226. The visor 226 may also have rounded corners 256, 258. In one embodiment, the corners 256, 258 have different radii. In another embodiment, the corners 256, 258 have the same radius.

Although different embodiments are shown with specific components, embodiments of the present disclosure are not limited to those specific combinations. Some features or characteristics from any embodiment may be used in combination with features or characteristics from any other embodiment.

The foregoing description is to be construed in an illustrative, and not a restrictive, sense. One of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that certain modifications are possible within the scope of the present disclosure.