Description:FORM 2

THE PATENTS ACT, 1970
(39 of 1970)
&
THE PATENTS RULES, 2003

COMPLETE SPECIFICATION
(Section 10 and Rule 13)

TITLE OF THE INVENTION
A Visor Assembly

APPLICANTS
Mahindra & Mahindra Limited, an Indian company, having its address at Mahindra Research Valley, Mahindra World City, Plot No:41/1, Anjur P.O., Chengalpattu, Kanchipuram District, Tamil Nadu – 603004, India

PREAMBLE TO THE DESCRIPTION
The following specification particularly describes the invention and the manner in which it is to be performed. 

FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[001] The invention generally relates to a visor assembly for a vehicle.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[002] Visors are employed in the interior of a vehicle to block sunlight from falling on an occupant’s face. Typically, a visor comprises of a rod pivotably mounted on a ceiling or headliner of the vehicle, and a visor body mounted on the rod such that the visor body is rotatable about the pivot point towards front windshield or a side window between A-pillar and B-pillar of the vehicle, as per requirement.
[003] AC vents are conventionally provided on a dashboard of the vehicle to direct conditioned air towards occupants of the vehicle, particularly a driver and a co-passenger seated in front. However, with placement of interactive screens on the dashboard of the vehicle, space to provide air vents that can effectively direct conditioned air towards the occupants has decreased.
[004] An alternative is to provide air vents in the ceiling or headliner of the vehicle. However, with modern day aerodynamic vehicle designs, only a small part of the ceiling is available above the driver and the co-passenger seated in front. Further, this space would be used up in mounting the visor. Furthermore, in vehicles having a sunroof, there wouldn’t be usable space on the ceiling to provide the AC vents.
[005] Thus, there is a need in the art for a visor assembly, which addresses at least the aforementioned problems.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[006] In one aspect the present invention provides a visor assembly for a vehicle. The visor assembly includes a support rod pivotally mounted to a ceiling of a vehicle cabin and a visor body mounted on the support rod. The visor body is adapted to be movable with the support rod and is rotatably mounted on the support rod so as to enable the visor body to be deployed with respect to a windshield or a side window of the vehicle depending upon position of the support rod. The visor assembly further includes an air channel and a vent housing disposed in the visor body. The air channel is in communication with an HVAC system of the vehicle. The vent housing is connected with the air channel. The vent housing has a plurality of air vents adapted to direct air supplied from the HVAC system of the vehicle via the air channel into the vehicle cabin.
[007] In an embodiment, the support rod is a tube or a channel connected with the HVAC system of the vehicle. In another embodiment, the support rod is connected with the air channel provided in the visor body, and the support rod and the air channel together form a continuous passage to allow air from the HVAC system to pass to the vent housing.
[008] In an embodiment, an air duct conveys air from the HVAC system of the vehicle to the visor assembly. The air duct has a first end connected to an HVAC duct of the vehicle and a second end connected to the support rod or the air channel. In another embodiment, the air duct is disposed inside an A-pillar of the vehicle.
[009] In an embodiment, the visor assembly includes a first swivel connector at a connection joint between the air duct and the support rod. In another embodiment, the visor assembly includes the first swivel connector at a connection joint between the air duct and the air channel. The first swivel connector conveys air from the air duct to the support rod or the air channel and simultaneously enables the support rod or the air channel to rotate with respect to the air duct.
[010] In an embodiment, the support rod is disposed inside the visor body and extends parallel to a first edge of the visor body. The vent housing is disposed at a second edge of the visor body opposite to the support rod.
[011] In an embodiment, the visor assembly includes a second swivel connector at a connection joint between the support rod and the air channel. The second swivel connector is adapted to convey air from the support rod to the air channel and simultaneously enables the air channel to rotate with respect to the support rod. In another embodiment, the second swivel connector comprises a shut off mechanism. When engaged, the shut off mechanism prevents passage of air from the support rod to the air channel.
[012] In an embodiment, the visor assembly includes a third swivel connector at a connection joint between the air channel and the vent housing. The third swivel connector is adapted to convey air from the air channel to the vent housing and simultaneously enables the vent housing to rotate with respect to the air channel.
[013] In an embodiment, the vent housing is adapted to be rotated independently of the visor body to direct air flow in a desired direction into the vehicle cabin.
[014] In another embodiment, the visor assembly includes an actuator adapted to dynamically vary orientation of the vent housing based on angle of rotation of the visor body to maintain air flow in the desired direction. In an embodiment, the actuator dynamically varies orientation of the vent housing to maintain air flow in the desired direction when position of deployment of the visor body is changed manually.
[015] In another embodiment, the visor assembly comprising a camera adapted to detect and record movements of a head of an occupant of the vehicle. The actuator is adapted to dynamically vary orientation of the vent housing based on position of the head of the occupant as recorded by the camera.
[016] In an embodiment, the visor body includes a front panel and a rear panel. The front panel and the rear panel are affixed to each other forming the visor body.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[017] Reference will be made to embodiments of the invention, examples of which may be illustrated in accompanying figures. These figures are intended to be illustrative, not limiting. Although the invention is generally described in context of these embodiments, it should be understood that it is not intended to limit the scope of the invention to these particular embodiments.

Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a visor assembly in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.
Figure 2 shows an exploded view of the visor assembly and an exemplary HVAC ducting of the vehicle in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.
Figure 3 shows a perspective view of the visor assembly and the HVAC ducting of the vehicle in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.
Figure 4 shows a cross sectional view of a swivel connector of the visor assembly in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.
Figure 5 shows a cross sectional view of a connection joint of the swivel connector of the visor assembly in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.
Figure 6 shows a cross sectional view of a swivel connector of the visor assembly with a shut off mechanism in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.
Figure 7 shows a perspective view of a vehicle cabin with an occupant and an exemplary visor assembly in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.
Figure 8 shows a perspective view of the vehicle cabin with the occupant and a visor body of the visor assembly deployed towards a windshield of the vehicle in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.
Figure 9 shows a perspective view of the vehicle cabin with the occupant and the visor body of the visor assembly deployed towards a side window of the vehicle in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[018] The present invention provides a visor assembly for a vehicle capable of providing conditioned air into the vehicle’s cabin from an HVAC system of the vehicle.
[019] Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a visor assembly 100 in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. The visor assembly 100 comprises a support rod 110, a visor body 120, an air channel 130 and a vent housing 150. In the illustrated embodiment, the support rod 110 is an L-shaped rod having its one end pivotally mounted to a ceiling 60 (shown in Figure 7) of a vehicle cabin 12 (shown in Figure 7). The support rod 110 is pivotally supported by a bracket 90 mounted to the ceiling 60 of the vehicle cabin 12 such that the support rod 110 can be rotated with respect to the bracket 90. While one segment of the L-shaped rod has its one end pivotally mounted to the ceiling 60, the other segment of the L-shaped rod extends orthogonally from the other end of the first segment, and is disposed inside the visor body 120, and extends parallel to a first edge of the visor body 120. The visor body 120 is rotatably mounted on the support rod 110. In the illustrated embodiment, the vent housing 150 is disposed at a second edge of the visor body 120 opposite to the support rod 110. In an embodiment, the visor assembly 100 comprises an air channel 130 disposed in the visor body 120. The air channel 130 is in communication with an HVAC system of the vehicle 10. In an embodiment, the support rod 110 is a tube or a channel connected with the HVAC system of the vehicle 10. The air channel 130 connects the support rod 110 to the vent housing 150. In an embodiment, the air channel 130 is an L-shaped tube. In the illustrated embodiment, the air channel 130 connects with or is in communication with vent housing 150. The support rod 110 or the air channel 130 is connected with an HVAC system of the vehicle 10. In an embodiment, the support rod 110 is a tube or a channel connected with the HVAC system, and the air channel is connected with the support rod 110. Accordingly, the support rod 110 disposed within the visor body 120 and the air channel 130 together form a continuous passage in the visor body 120. The vent housing 150 is connected with or in communication with the air channel 130 enabling conditioned air supplied from the HVAC system of the vehicle 10 to be delivered to the vent housing 150, and further be directed into the vehicle cabin 12 via the air vents 152. In another embodiment, the air channel 130 is connected with the HVAC system such that the air channel 130 forms a continuous passage inside the visor body 120 to allow air from the HVAC system to pass to the vent housing 150.
[020] In an embodiment, the vent housing 150 has plurality of air vents 152. The plurality of air vents 152 are vertically oriented and provided in a spaced apart configuration. In an embodiment, the vents are movably mounted. The vents 152 are adapted to direct air supplied from the HVAC system of the vehicle 10 into the vehicle cabin 12 and onto the occupant 20 of the vehicle. The vent housing 150 is rotatably disposed in the visor body 120, such that the vent housing 150 can be rotated independently of the visor body 120 to direct air flow in a desired direction into the vehicle cabin 12, irrespective of the position of deployment of the visor body 120.
[021] In an embodiment, an air duct 42 is adapted to convey conditioned air from the HVAC system of the vehicle 10 to the visor assembly 100. The conditioned air is supplied via the air duct 42 to the support rod 110. In the illustrated embodiment, the air duct 42 is connected to the support rod 110 which is disposed upwards of the bracket 90, i.e., the air duct 42 is connected to a portion of the support rod 110 which is disposed between the ceiling 60 of a vehicle cabin 12 and a roof panel that covers the ceiling 60. Conditioned air supplied to the support rod 110 is communicated via the air channel 130 into the vent housing 150, which is then directed into the cabin via the air vents 152. In an embodiment, the visor assembly 100 includes a first swivel connector 400 at a connection joint between the air duct 42 and the support rod 110. The first swivel connector 400 conveys air from the air duct 42 to the support rod 110 and simultaneously enables the support rod 110 to rotate with respect to the air duct 42. In another embodiment, the first swivel connector 400 is provided at a connection joint between the air duct 42 and the air channel 130, and allows the visor body 120 and the air channel 130 disposed therein to rotate with respect to the air duct 42 while simultaneously enabling flow of conditioned air. In an embodiment, the visor assembly 100 includes a second swivel connector 600 at a connection joint between the support rod 110 and the air channel 130. The second swivel connector 600 conveys air from the support rod 110 to the air channel 130 and simultaneously enables the air channel 130 to rotate with respect to the support rod 110. This allows the air channel 130 to rotate along with the visor body 120 when the visor body 120 is rotated about the support rod 110, while maintaining communication of conditioned air between the support rod 110 and the air channel 130. In an embodiment, the second swivel connector 600 comprises a shut off mechanism. When engaged, the shut off mechanism is adapted to prevent passage of air from the support rod 110 to the air channel 130. The visor assembly 100 further includes a third swivel connector 500 at a connection joint between the air channel 130 and the vent housing 150. The third swivel connector 500 conveys air from the air channel 130 to the vent housing 150 and simultaneously enables the vent housing 150 to rotate with respect to the air channel 130. This enables the vent housing 150 to be rotated independently of the visor body 120 to direct air flow in a desired direction into the vehicle cabin 12, irrespective of the position of deployment of the visor body 120.
[022] In an embodiment, the visor assembly 100 includes a camera 160. In the illustrated embodiment, the camera 160 and the vent housing 150 are disposed along the same end of the visor body 120. The camera 160 is configured to detect and record movements of a head of the occupant 20 of the vehicle. In another embodiment, motion detection sensors are employed instead of the camera 160 to detect and record movements of the head of the occupant 20 of the vehicle. Motion detection sensors known in the art like Passive Infrared (PIR) sensors, Microwave sensors and Dual Tech/Hybrid sensors may be employed for the purpose. In yet another embodiment, a combination of both the camera 160 and the motion detection sensors are used to detect and record movements of the head of the occupant 20. In another embodiment, the visor assembly 100 includes an actuator 162 coupled to the vent housing 150. The actuator 162 is adapted to dynamically vary orientation of the vent housing 150 based on angle of rotation of the visor body 120 in order to maintain air flow in the desired direction when the position of deployment of the visor body 120 is varied. In an embodiment, the visor assembly 100 has an auto mode where the actuator 162 dynamically varies orientation of the vent housing 150 based on the position of the head of the occupant 20 as recorded by the camera 160. In another embodiment, the visor assembly 100 has a manual mode where the actuator 162 dynamically varies orientation of the vent housing 150 based on manual change in position of deployment of the visor body 120 with the aid of a Human Machine Interface.
[023] Figure 2 shows an exploded view of the visor assembly 100 and an exemplary HVAC ducting of the vehicle 10 in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. The visor body 120 includes a front panel 122 and a rear panel 124. The front panel 122 and the rear panel 124 are affixed to each other to form the visor body 120. All components of the visor assembly 100 disposed inside the visor body 120 are sandwiched between the front panel 122 and the rear panel 124. Thus, the portion of the support rod 110 disposed inside the visor body 120, the air channel 130, the vent housing 150, the second swivel connector 600, the third swivel connector 500, the camera 160 and the actuator 162 are all disposed between the front panel 122 and the rear panel 124. Figure 3 shows a perspective view of the visor assembly 100 and the HVAC ducting of the vehicle 10 in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. Referring to Figures 2 and 3, the air duct 42 which conveys air from the HVAC system of the vehicle 10 to the visor assembly 100 has its one end connected to an HVAC duct 30 of the vehicle 10 and other end connected to the support rod 110. In another embodiment, the air duct 42 has its one end connected to the HVAC duct 30 of the vehicle 10 and other end connected to the air channel 130. In an embodiment, the HVAC duct 30 is in direct communication with the HVAC system of the vehicle 10 and supplies conditioned air to all the AC vents provided in the vehicle cabin 12 including to the vent housing 150. In an embodiment, the air duct 42 is disposed inside an A-pillar 40 of the vehicle 10. The air duct 42 is routed from the HVAC duct 30 via the A-pillar 40 and is connected with the support rod 110 disposed above the ceiling 60 of the vehicle cabin. Thus, the air duct 42 remains hidden from direct view without compromising aesthetic appeal of the vehicle cabin 12.
[024] Figure 4 shows a cross sectional view of the first swivel connector 400 of the visor assembly 100 in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. The first swivel connector 400 is provided at a connection joint between the air duct 42 and the support rod 110 and allows the visor body 120 and the air channel 130 disposed therein to rotate with respect to the air duct 42 while simultaneously enabling flow of conditioned air. Referring to Figures 4 and 5, the first swivel connector 400 is connected to the support rod 110 using a ring snap 412 connection. The ring snap 412 connection allows for an airtight joint between the first swivel connector 400 and the air channel 130 and enables axial rotation of the support rod 110 about the first swivel connector 400. The connection between the first swivel connector 400 and the air duct is also similarly the ring snap 412 connection. In an embodiment, the third swivel connector 500 at a connection joint between the air channel 130 and the vent housing 150 is also similar to the illustrated first swivel connector 400. Thus, the ring snap 412 connection is used between the third swivel connector 500 and respectively the air channel 130 and the vent housing 150. Figure 6 shows a cross sectional view of the second swivel connector 600 of the visor assembly with a shut off mechanism in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. The second swivel connector 600 provided at the connection joint between the support rod 110 and the air channel 130 conveys air from the support rod 110 to the air channel 130 and simultaneously enables the air channel 130 to rotate with respect to the support rod 110. The second swivel connector 600 employs a ring snap 612 connection for engaging with the support rod 110 and the air channel 130 respectively. The second swivel connector 600 further comprises the shut off mechanism, which when engaged, prevents passage of air from the support rod 110 to the air channel 130. The shut off mechanism includes a door member 610 and an actuator 620. The actuator 620 is configured to open and close the door member 610. When the door member 610 is open the shut off mechanism is disengaged and air is conveyed through the second swivel connector 600. When the door member 610 is closed the shut off mechanism is engaged and air is prevented from flowing through the second swivel connector 600. In an embodiment, the occupant or an operator of the vehicle 10 can engage or disengage the shut off mechanism of the second swivel connector 600 by a switch or inputting instructions into an infotainment system of the vehicle 10. When the shut off mechanism is disengaged, conditioned air is blown into the vehicle cabin 12 through the plurality of air vents 152 of the vent housing 150. When the shut off mechanism is engaged, air is prevented from flowing through the second swivel connector 600 into the air channel 130 and conditioned air is not supplied to the vehicle cabin 12 through the plurality of air vents 152 of the vent housing 150.
[025] Figures 7 through 9 shows a perspective view of a vehicle cabin 12 with an occupant 20 and the visor assembly 100 of the vehicle 10 in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. The support rod 110 (shown in Figures 1 to 3) is pivotally mounted to the ceiling 60 of the vehicle cabin 12. The support rod 110 can be rotated about its pivot on the ceiling 60 of the vehicle cabin 12 towards a front windshield or a side window of the vehicle 10. The visor body 120 is mounted on the support rod 110 to be movable with the support rod 110. The visor body 120 is also rotatably mounted on the support rod 110 such that the visor body 120 can rotate about the support rod. Thus, the visor body 120 can be deployed with respect to the front windshield or the side window of the vehicle 10 depending upon position of the support rod 110. In the embodiment illustrated in Figure 7, the visor body 120 is in an undeployed state or folded towards the ceiling 60 of the vehicle cabin 12. Figure 8 shows a perspective view of the vehicle cabin 12 with the occupant 20, where the visor body 120 is deployed towards the windshield of the vehicle 10. Figure 9 shows a perspective view of the vehicle cabin 12 with the occupant 20 where the visor body 120 is deployed towards the side window of the vehicle 10. As discussed hereinbefore, the visor assembly 100 has the vent housing 150 disposed in the visor body 120. The vent housing 150 includes the plurality of air vents 152 adapted to supply conditioned air into the vehicle cabin 12 and further direct conditioned air onto the occupant 20. Thus, the visor assembly apart from blocking the sun or light also provides conditioned air to an occupant of the vehicle.
[026] Advantageously, the present invention provides a visor assembly for a vehicle that includes a vent housing disposed within the visor assembly, enabling air supplied from an HVAC system of the vehicle to be directed into the vehicle cabin. Therefore, at least some of the air vents conventionally provided on a dashboard of the vehicle cabin may be supplanted with air vents provided in the vent housing of the visor assembly to free up space on the dashboard to mount other elements like display panels.
[027] The foregoing description of the invention has been set merely to illustrate the invention and is not intended to be limiting. Since modifications of the disclosed embodiments incorporating the spirit and substance of the invention may occur to a person skilled in the art, the invention should be construed to include everything within the scope of the disclosure. , Claims:WE CLAIM:
1. A visor assembly (100) for a vehicle (10), the visor assembly (100) comprising:
a support rod (110) pivotally mounted to a ceiling (60) of a vehicle cabin (12);
a visor body (120) mounted on the support rod (110) to be movable with the support rod (110), the visor body (120) rotatably mounted on the support rod (110) so as to enable the visor body (120) to be deployed with respect to a windshield or a side window of the vehicle (10);
an air channel (130) provided in the visor body (120), the air channel (130) in communication with an HVAC system of the vehicle (10); and
a vent housing (150) disposed in the visor body (120), the vent housing (150) having a plurality of air vents (152), and the vent housing (150) mechanically connected with the air channel (130) enabling air supplied from the HVAC system of the vehicle (10) to be directed into the vehicle cabin (12).

2. The visor assembly (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the support rod (110) is a tube or channel connected with the air channel (130) provided in the visor body (120), forming a continuous passage to allow air from the HVAC system to pass to the vent housing (150).

3. The visor assembly (100) as claimed in claims 1 or 2, wherein an air duct (42) is disposed inside an A-pillar (40) of the vehicle (10), the air duct (42) configured to convey air from the HVAC system of the vehicle (10) to the visor assembly (100), the air duct (42) having a first end connected to an HVAC duct (30) of the vehicle (10) and a second end connected to the support rod (110) or the air channel (130).

4. The visor assembly (100) as claimed in claim 3 comprising a first swivel connector (400) at a connection joint between the air duct (42) and the support rod (110) or the air channel (130), the first swivel connector (400) configured to convey air from the air duct (42) to the support rod (110) or the air channel (130) and simultaneously enabling the support rod (110) or the air channel (130) to rotate with respect to the air duct (42).

5. The visor assembly (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein: the support rod (110) disposed inside the visor body (120) and extending parallel to a first edge of the visor body (120); and the vent housing (150) disposed at a second edge of the visor body (120) opposite to the support rod (110).

6. The visor assembly (100) as claimed in claim 2 comprising a second swivel connector (600) at a connection joint between the support rod (110) and the air channel (130), the second swivel connector (600) configured to convey air from the support rod (110) to the air channel (130) and simultaneously enabling the air channel (130) to rotate with respect to the support rod (110).

7. The visor assembly (100) as claimed in claim 6, wherein the second swivel connector (600) comprises a shut off mechanism, the shut off mechanism when engaged configured to prevent passage of air from the support rod (110) to the air channel (130).

8. The visor assembly (100) as claimed in claim 1 comprising a third swivel connector (500) at a connection joint between the air channel (130) and the vent housing (150), the third swivel connector (500) configured to convey air from the air channel (130) to the vent housing (150) and simultaneously enabling the vent housing (150) to rotate with respect to the air channel (130).

9. The visor assembly (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the vent housing (150) rotatably mounted to direct air flow in a desired direction into the vehicle cabin (12).

10. The visor assembly (100) as claimed in claim 9 comprising an actuator (162) configured to dynamically vary orientation of the vent housing (150) based on angle of rotation of the visor body (120) to maintain air flow in the desired direction.

11. The visor assembly (100) as claimed in claim 10, wherein the actuator (162) configured to dynamically vary orientation of the vent housing (150) based on change in position of deployment of the visor body (120) to maintain air flow in the desired direction.

12. The visor assembly (100) as claimed in claim 10, comprising one of either a camera (160) or motion detection sensors configured to detect and record movements of a head of an occupant (20) of the vehicle (10) and the actuator (162) configured to dynamically vary orientation of the vent housing (150) based on position of the head of the occupant (20) as recorded by the camera (160) or the motion detection sensors.

Dated this 10th day of January 2023
MAHINDRA & MAHINDRA LIMITED
By their Agent & Attorney

(Janaksinh Jhala)
of Khaitan & Co
Reg No IN/PA-2193