Claims:We Claim:
1. A sunshield assembly (100) for a vehicle, the sunshield assembly (100) comprising:
a holding member (20) adapted to accommodate a collapsible sunscreen (10) therein, the collapsible sunscreen (10) is movable between a collapsible position (100a) and an extended position (100b), and
a rotating shaft (40) with a bi-stable strip (30a or 30b or 30c) arranged at or in the holding member (20),
wherein the bi-stable strip (30a or 30b or 30c) comprises a first end (32a) connected to a distal end (12) of the collapsible sunscreen (10) and a second end (32b) fixed to the rotating shaft (40) such that upon actuating the rotating shaft (40) in a first direction (40a), the bi-stable strip (30a) unrolls from the rotating shaft (40) and moves the collapsible sunscreen (10) from the collapsible position (100a) to the extended position (100b) and upon actuating the rotating shaft in a second direction (40b), the bi-stable strip (30a) rolls onto the rotating shaft (40) and moves the collapsible sunscreen (10) from the extended position (100b) to the collapsible position (100a).

2. The sunshield assembly (110) as claimed in claims 1, wherein the holding member (20) is having a cavity (22) arranged in a longitudinal direction therein, the cavity (22) is of arcade shaped adapted to accommodate the collapsible sunscreen (10) of an arc-shape, the arc-shape of the collapsible sunscreen (10) is substantial of the same contour as of a windscreen or a window of the vehicle for maintaining a constant air gap between the windshield or the window, thereby increasing heat resistivity of the sunshield assembly (100).

3. The sunshield assembly (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the holding member (20) is mounted on an interior trim panel or is a portion of an interior trim panel of the vehicle.

4. The sunshield assembly (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the holding member (20) is a portion of a defroster trim panel of the vehicle.

5. The sunshield assembly (100) as claimed in claims 1, wherein the bi-stable strip (30a, 30b, 30c) is stitched through the collapsible sunscreen (10) for guiding the movements of the collapsible sunscreen (10) in between the collapsible position (100a) and the extended position (100b).

6. The sunshield assembly (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the rotating shaft (40) is actuated by an electric motor (50) or manually by a user of the vehicle for moving the collapsible sunscreen (100) between the collapsible position (100a) and an extended position (100b).

7. The sunshield assembly (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the collapsible sunscreen (10) is foldable in a zigzag pattern (16) with edges of folds configuring a live hinge (23) for each fold.

8. The sunshield assembly (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the distal end (12) of the collapsible sunscreen (10) is fixed to a covering member (24) for covering the collapsible sunscreen (10) in the collapsible position (100a).

9. The sunshield assembly (100) as claimed in claims 1, wherein the sunshield assembly (100) comprises a latching arrangement (65) to latch the collapsible sunscreen (10) at the extended position 100b with a frame (210) of the vehicle.

10. The sunshield assembly (100) as claimed in claims 1 and 9, wherein the rotating shaft (40) is connected to a torsional spring (70), the torsional spring (70) biases the collapsible sunscreen (10) when the collapsible sunscreen (10) is unlatched from the frame (210).
, Description:Field of the Invention

[0001] The present invention relates to a sunshield assembly. More specifically, the present invention relates to a sunshield assembly for a vehicle.

Background of the Invention

[0002] Generally, vehicle interiors or exteriors are provided with sunshield assemblies for restricting the entry of the sunlight into the vehicle interiors. These assemblies include one or more sunscreens or sunscreen segments which are slidable between a non-operating position for allowing entry of the sunshine in the vehicle interiors and to an operation position for restricting the entrance of the sunlight into the vehicle interiors.

[0003] Presently, existing sunshield assemblies include actuation mechanisms and moving mechanisms comprising motors; sliders slide on a permanent guiding track and the like for actuating and moving the sunscreen movements between the non-operating position and the operating position. Further, the sunshield assemblies with collapsible sunscreens are also provided in existing vehicles for minimising space consumption compared to non-collapsible collapsible sunscreens. But these collapsible sunscreens are operated and moved by complex constructional elements such as by using sliders which slides on a permanent guiding track arranged on pillars or roof of the vehicle etc.
[0004] Therefore, there is a need for a sunshield assembly for a vehicle which overcomes all or few of the drawbacks of the prior art.

Objects of the Invention
[0005] An object of the present invention is to provide a sunshield assembly for a vehicle.

[0006] Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a sunshield assembly for a vehicle, which is simple in construction and easy to operate.

[0007] Another object of the present invention is to provide a sunshield assembly for a vehicle, which requires less space in the vehicle interior or in exterior trim panels.

[0008] Further object of the present invention is to provide a sunshield assembly for a vehicle, which can be easily mounted and can be auto or manually operated.

Summary of the invention
[0009] According to the present invention, there is provided with a sunshield assembly for a vehicle. The sunshield may be arranged in the vehicle interior or exterior trim panel. The sunshield assembly includes a holding member and a collapsible sunscreen. The holding member may be adapted to accommodate the collapsible screen. The collapsible sunscreen is movable between a collapsible position and an extended position. The holding member may be mounted on an interior trim panel like on an instrument panel or a door panel or a defroster panel or a window sash at an interior side or an exterior side of the vehicle. In an embodiment, the holding member may be a portion of a trim panel at an interior side or an outer side of the vehicle.

[0010] The holding member may have a cavity arranged in a longitudinal direction of the holding member, and the cavity may be adapted to accommodate the collapsible sunscreen. The cavity may be of an arcade shaped adapted to accommodate the collapsible sunscreen of an arcade shape. The arc-shape of the collapsible sunscreen may be substantial of the same contour as of a windscreen or a window of the vehicle for maintaining a constant air gap between the windshield or the window, thereby increasing the heat resistivity of the sunshield assembly.

[0011] The collapsible sunscreen may be foldable in a zigzag pattern with edges of folds configuring a live hinge for each fold. Further, the sunshield assembly may include a rotating shaft with a bi-stable strip arranged at or in the holding member. The bi-stable strip is a strip which has the properties of being stable at two positions for example being stable when rolled on the rotating shaft and is also being stable at the unrolled extended position thus able have certain stiffness and able to support the collapsible sunscreen in the extended position without any additional support or track or rail. The bi-stable strip may be connected to the collapsible sunscreen. More specifically, the bi-stable strip has a first end connected to a distal end of the collapsible sunscreen and a second end fixed to the rotating shaft.

[0012] Further, upon actuating the rotating shaft in a first direction, the bi-stable strip unrolls from the rotating shaft. It moves the collapsible sunscreen from the collapsed position to the extended position. Similarly, upon actuating the rotating shaft in a second direction, the bi-stable strip rolls onto the rotating shaft. It moves the collapsible sunscreen from the extended position to the collapsed position.

[0013] Furthermore, the bi-stable strip is stitched through the collapsible sunscreen for guiding the movement of the collapsible sunscreen in between the collapsible position and the extended position upon actuation of the rotating shaft. In an embodiment, the sunshield assembly may include three bi-stable strips.

[0014] The rotating shaft may be rotated manually by a user. In an embodiment, the rotating shaft may be connected to an electric motor. The rotating shaft may be auto actuated by operating the electric motor. Further, the distal end of the collapsible sunscreen may be fixed to a covering member which covers the collapsible sunscreen in the collapsible position.
[0015] The sunshield assembly may include a latching arrangement to latch the collapsible sunscreen at the extended position with a frame of the vehicle. The frame can be a window sash of the vehicle or a trim panel like a roof panel of the vehicle. Further, the rotating shaft may be connected to a torsional spring. The torsional spring may bias the collapsible sunscreen towards the collapsed position when collapsible sunscreen is unlatched from the frame. In an embodiment, the latching arrangement may have a magnetic/electromagnetic latch and the like.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0016] The advantages and features of the present invention will be understood better with reference to the following detailed description of some embodiments of the impact energy absorber and claims taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein like elements are identified with like symbols, and in which;

[0017] Figure 1 shows a schematic perspective view of a sunshield assembly for a vehicle interior in accordance with the present invention in a collapsed position;

[0018] Figure 2 shows a schematic perspective view of the sunshield assembly for a vehicle in accordance with the present invention in an extended position;

[0019] Figure 3 shows a schematic side cross-sectional view of figure 1;

[0020] Figure 4 shows a schematic side cross-sectional view of figure 2;

[0021] Figure 5a & 5b shows a schematic top cross-sectional view of the sunshield assembly figures 1 & 2.

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0022] An embodiment of this invention, illustrating its features, will now be described in detail. The words "comprising, "having, "containing," and "including," and other forms thereof, are intended to be equivalent in meaning and be open-ended in that an item or items following any one of these words is not meant to be an exhaustive listing of such item or items or meant to be limited to only the listed item or items.

[0023] The terms “first,” “second,” and the like, herein do not denote any order, quantity, or importance, but rather are used to distinguish one element from another, and the terms “an” and “a” herein do not denote a limitation of quantity, but rather denote the presence of at least one of the referenced item.

[0024] The disclosed embodiments are merely exemplary of the invention, which may be embodied in various forms.

[0025] The present invention provides a sunshield assembly for a vehicle. The sunshield assembly can be arranged in a vehicle for restricting entry of sunlight in a vehicle interior. The disclosed sunshield assembly consumes less space in the vehicle. The sunshield assembly can be easily mounted in the vehicle and easy to operate.

[0026] Referring now to figures 1 & 2, various views of a sunshield assembly (100) for a vehicle in accordance with the present invention is illustrated. The sunshield assembly (100) includes a collapsible sunscreen (10), a holding member (20) and a rotating shaft (40) with a bi-stable strip (30a). The holding member (20) is adapted to accommodate the collapsible sunscreen (1) therein. More specifically, the holding member (20) has a cavity (22) arranged in a longitudinal direction of the holding member (20).

[0027] The cavity (22) is adapted to accommodate the collapsible sunscreen (10) therein. In an embodiment, the cavity (22) is configured in an arcade shaped, and the collapsible screen (10) is also configured in a contour of the arc shape. The arc-shape of the collapsible sunscreen (10) is substantial of the same contour as of a windscreen or a window of the vehicle for maintaining a constant air gap between the windshield or the window, thereby increasing heat resistivity of the sunshield assembly (100).

[0028] The collapsible sunscreen (10) is movable between a collapsible position (100a) (as shown in figure 1) and an extended position 100b (as shown in figure 2). The collapsible sunscreen (10) covers a windshield or a window (not shown) of the vehicle when in the extended position (100b). When the collapsible sunscreen (10) is in the collapsible position (100a) (as shown in figure 1), the sunlight enters into the vehicle interior. Similarly, when the collapsible sunscreen (10) is at the extended position (100b) (as shown in figure 2), entry of the sunlight into the vehicle interior is prevented.

[0029] The collapsible sunscreen (10) is made of a material having plurality a live hinge (23) in-between to fold or to unfold the collapsible sunscreen (10) as desired (as shown in figure 3 and 4). More specifically, the collapsible sunscreen 10 is foldable in a zigzag pattern 16 with edges (23) of folds configuring the live hinge (23) for each fold. In another embodiment, the collapsible sunscreen (10) can be made from opaque and flexible materials. In another embodiment, the collapsible sunscreen (10) may be collapsed telescopically thereof into the collapsible position (100a).

[0030] In the present embodiment, the holding member (20) is a portion of a defroster trim panel of the vehicle (as shown in figure 1 and 2). In an alternative embodiment, the holding member (20) can be mounted on an interior trim panel like on an instrument panel or a door panel or a window sash at an interior side or an exterior side of the vehicle.

[0031] As shown in figure 3 and 4, one end of the collapsible sunscreen (10) is fixed to a base (not numbered) of the holding member (20). The distal end (12) of the collapsible sunscreen (10) is connected to a covering member (24), for covering the collapsible sunscreen (10) when in the collapsible position (100a). In the present embodiment, the sunshield assembly 100 includes three bi-stable strips (30a, 30b & 30c). The bi-stable strip (30a) is stitched through the collapsible sunscreen (10) and connected to the distal end (12) for the collapsible sunscreen (10) for guiding the collapsible sunscreen (10) between the collapsible position (100a) and the extended position (100b). The bi-stable strip (30a or 30b or 30c) is a strip which has the properties of being stable at two positions (100a & 100b). For example. The bi-stable strip (30a) is being stable when rolled on the rotating shaft (40) and is also being stable at the unrolled extended position (100b), thus able to have specific stiffness and able to support the collapsible sunscreen (10) in the extended position (100b) without any additional support or track or rail

[0032] Referring now to figures 5a & 5b, a schematic cross-sectional top view of the sunshield assembly (100) for the vehicle in accordance with the present invention are illustrated. The sunshield assembly (100) includes three bi-stable strips (30a, 30b & 30c) arranged on the rotating shaft (40). In the present embodiment, the rotating shaft (40) is a house in a housing (30) configured inside the holding member (20) (as shown in figure 3 or 4). The bi-stable strip (30a) is having a first end (32a) and a second end (32b). The first end (32a) is connected to the distal end (12) of the collapsible sunscreen (10) and the second end (32b) is fixed to the rotating shaft (40). Furthermore, upon actuating the rotating shaft (40) in a first direction (40a) or in a second direction (40b) the bi-stable strip (30a) moves the collapsible sunscreen (10) from the collapsible position (100a) to the extended position (100b) or from the extended position (100b) to the collapsible position 100a respectively.

[0033] More specifically, upon actuating the rotating shaft (40) in the first direction (40a), the bi-stable strip (30a) unrolls and extends away from the rotating shaft (40). The first end (32a) moves the collapsible sunscreen (10) along with the covering member (24) from the collapsed position (100a) to the extended position (100b). As the first end (32a) of the bi-stable strip (30a) is connected to the distal end (12) of the collapsible sunscreen (10), the bi-stable strip (30a) (specifically the first end 32a) pushes and moves the collapsible sunscreen (10 ) along with the covering member (24) from the collapsed position (100a) to the extended position (100b).

[0034] Similarly, upon rotating the shaft (40) in the second direction (40b), the bi-stable strip (30a) rolls on the rotating shaft (40). The first end (32a) moves the collapsible sunscreen (10) and the covering member (24) from the extended position (100b) to the collapsed position (100a). The bi-stable strip 30a (specifically the first end 32a) pulls the collapsible sunscreen (10) along with the covering member (24) for moving the collapsible sunscreen (10) from the extended position (100b) to the collapsed position (100a) and the covering member (24) close the cavity (22) of the holding member (20). In the present embodiment, the first direction (40a) is a clockwise rotation and the second direction (40b) is an anti-clockwise rotation. In an alternative, first direction (40a) can be an anti-clockwise rotation, and the second direction (40b) can be a clockwise rotation.

[0035] In the present embodiment, referring to all figures, the rotating shaft (40) is connected to an electric motor (50). The rotating shaft (40) is actuated by operating the electric motor (50). The electric motor (50) is connected to a controller (not shown). The controller can be programmed to operate the electric motor (50) automatically based on the temperature of the vehicle interior or the external environment or the intensity of the sunlight and other programmable parameters. Alternatively, the electric motor (50) can be operated by a switch (not shown), which can be operated manually. In an alternative embodiment, the rotating shaft (40) is actuated manually. A user (occupant) of the vehicle can manually pull the collapsible sunscreen (10) from the collapsed position (100a) to the extended position (100b).

[0036] In the present embodiment, the sunshield assembly (100) also includes a latching arrangement (65) (as shown in figure 5b) having a hook (61) arranged for latching the distal end (12) of the collapsible sunscreen (10) to a frame (210) of the vehicle in the extended position (100b) of the collapsible sunscreen (10). More specifically, the latching arrangement (65) has an eye (60) configured on the covering member (24) arranged to get latch with the hook (61) arranged at a frame (210) of the vehicle (as shown in figure 4, 5b). The frame (210) can be a window sash of the vehicle or a trim panel like a roof panel of the vehicle.

[0037] Further, in an alternative embodiment, the rotating shaft (40) is connected to a torsional spring (not shown). The torsional spring is adapted to bias the collapsible sunscreen (10) towards the collapsed position (100a) when the collapsible sunscreen (10) is unlatched from the frame (210). More specifically, when the hook (61) is unlatched from the eye (60), the collapsible sunscreen (10) collapsed into the holding member (20) as the bi-stable strip auto-rolled onto the rotating shaft (40) by the action of the torsional spring. The torsional spring can be any other similar biasing member possessing similar properties.

[0038] Therefore, the present invention has the advantage of providing the sunshield assembly (100) for a vehicle. The sunshield assembly (100) is simple in construction and smooth in operation. The sunshield assembly (100) consumes less space in the vehicle. The sunshield assembly (100) is easily mounted and easy to operate.

[0039] The foregoing descriptions of specific embodiments of the present invention have been presented for purposes of illustration and description. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the present invention to the precise forms disclosed, and obviously, many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teaching. The embodiments were chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the present invention and its practical application, and to thereby enable others skilled in the art to best utilise the present invention and various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. It is understood that various omissions and substitutions of equivalents are contemplated as circumstances may suggest or render expedient, but such omissions and substitutions are intended to cover the application or implementation without departing from the scope of the claims of the present invention.