WO2006038765A1

WO2006038765A1 - Sun visor assembly for side of vehicle and operation method thereof

Info

Publication number: WO2006038765A1
Application number: PCT/KR2005/002357
Authority: WO
Inventors: Chang Seop Lee; Dong Nam Kim; Joon Seok Yoon
Original assignee: Qlt Co., Ltd.
Priority date: 2004-10-09
Filing date: 2005-07-21
Publication date: 2006-04-13
Also published as: KR100578473B1; KR20060031735A

Abstract

A sun visor assembly for shading a vehicular side window includes a rotation shaft that rotates in relation to a first rotational axis perpendicular to the head lining. A pivot member pivots in relation to a second rotational axis that is integrally formed with a visor body, installed at one surface of the rotation shaft, and perpendicular to the first rotational axis. A restricting means adjusts a pivot angle of the pivot member according to a rotation angle of the rotation shaft to thereby allow the pivot member to turn simultaneously in relation to the first rotational axis and in relation to the second rotational axis corresponding to the rotation of the rotation shaft relative to the first rotational axis. The sun visor assembly, thus, constructed can block sunlight entering through the side window by a single manipulation. The visor body of the sun visor assembly can be activated manually or automatically using the motor, thereby sufficiently obtaining the driver's visibility and facilitating the shading of the side window.

Description

SUN VISOR ASSEMBLY FOR SIDE OF VEHICLE AND OPERATION METHOD THEREOF

Technical Field

[1] The present invention relates to a sun visor assembly and the operation method thereof adapted to shade a vehicular side window or the like from light incidence by a single manipulation of the visor body horizontally disposed against the head lining. Background Art

[2] The sun visor assembly is generally affixed above and toward the frontal direction from the driver's and front passenger's seats underneath the head lining. A conventional sun visor assembly is illustrated in FIG. 14. The visor body of the sun visor assembly is pivotally installed for insulating light entering into the windshield and side window. The visor body is disposed horizontally with respect to the head lining when the visor does not function to shade the front windshield or side window.

[3] To shade the windshield, the driver should conventionally turn the visor body in relation to a shaft (B) that is horizontal to the head lining to thereby horizontally place the visor body with respect to the windshield.

[4] For shading the side window, the driver should rotate the horizontally placed visor body in relation to a shaft (A) that is perpendicular to the head lining to thereby place the visor body to approximately be perpendicular to the side window. Then, the driver should rotate the visor body in relation to the shaft (B) that is horizontal to the side window. Alternatively, the visor body (placed horizontally to the windshield for shading the windshield) can be swung in relation to the shaft (A) that is perpendicular to the head lining, thereby placing the visor body to be horizontal to the side window for protecting the passenger from sunlight.

[5] However, there is a drawback in that the rotational shafts (A and B) of the visor body are configured to rotate independently such that the driver should shift the visor body at least twice in relation to the rotational shafts for shading the side window.

[6] Furthermore, the driver should continuously grab the visor body while ma¬ neuvering the visor body (horizontally located relative to the head lining) to a designated shading position for the side window which may distract or annoy the driver's sight during the vehicle motion.

[7] The applicant of the present invention has filed an invention entitled "Electric Sun

Visor Assembly of the Vehicle and Control Method Thereof" (Korean Patent Ap¬ plication No. 10-2004-0033141) on May 16, 2004 with the Korean Intellectual Property Office. This invention is disclosed to automatically activate the sun visor body to automatically shade the front windshield. The "Electric sun visor assembly of the vehicle"is accomplished by attaching an auxiliary visor body (used for protecting side windows from the light) to a primary visor body (used for shading the front windshield). However, a drawback of the above assembly is that the light incidence is insulated only at the front portion of the vehicle and not at the side thereof.

[8] The application No. 10-2004-0033141 has no relationship with the present invention and, thus, is not mentioned in the present invention. Disclosure of Invention Technical Problem

[9] A primary object of the invention is to provide a sun visor assembly having a visor body that is horizontally disposed against the head lining and turns simultaneously in relation to a shaft, which is perpendicular to the head lining, and toward the inclined direction of the side window in relation to a shaft, perpendicular to the rotational shaft, thereby blocking the side window from the light incidence by a mere single ma¬ nipulation of the sun visor assembly.

[10] An another object of the invention is to provide a sun visor assembly using a motor as a driving means of the visor body, thereby simplifying the operation of the visor body without disturbing the driver's visibility due to his or her arm that shifts the visor body for shading the side window.

[11] An yet another object of the invention is to provide a sun visor assembly in which an auxiliary visor body disclosed in the present applicant's "electric sun visor assembly of the vehicle"is modified either to manually or automatically activate the front visor body of the assembly while the visor body is situated in the stowed position so as to block the light incidence through the side window.

[12] An yet another object of the invention is to provide an operation method for the sun visor assembly with a visor body (horizontally located with respect to the vehicle head lining) that turns simultaneously in relation to the rotation shaft, perpendicular to the head lining, and toward the inclined direction of the side window relative to a shaft that is perpendicular to the rotational shaft, thereby enabling to shade the side window by a mere single operation of the visor body.

[13] An yet another object of the invention is to provide an operation method for the sun visor assembly with a motor for a driving means of the visor body such that the visor body is automatically activated to shade the side window. Technical Solution

[14] In a first aspect, a sun visor assembly for shading the side window of a vehicle according to the present invention includes a rotation shaft that rotates in relation to a first rotational axis, perpendicular to the head lining of the vehicle. A pivot member has one end installed at the rotation shaft in a longitudinal direction thereof and the other end integrally formed with a visor body. The pivot member includes a pivot hinge for pivoting in relation to the first rotational axis and in relation to a second rotational axis, which is perpendicular to the first rotational axis. A restricting means adjusts a pivot angle of the pivot member relative to the second rotational axis according to a rotation angle of the rotation shaft relative to the first rotational axis, thereby allowing the pivot member to turn simultaneously in relation to the first rotational axis and in relation to the second rotational axis corresponding to the rotation of the rotation shaft in relation to the first rotational axis.

[15] The restricting means includes a support plate and guide rod, wherein the support plate is horizontally installed in relation to the head lining, and a guide rod has a guide component at the lower end thereof while an upper end of the guide rod is attached to the support plate. A guide rail having an arc-shape in relation to the first rotational axis is formed at the pivot member for permitting the guide component to slide thereon.

[16] The restricting means includes a support plate and a guide rod. The support plate is horizontally installed in relation to the head lining and is formed with a guide rail having an arc shape in relation to the first rotational axis. The guide rod is mounted at the upper end thereof with a guide component that slides on the guide rail, and the lower end of the guide rod is fixed to the pivot member.

[17] A driving means is further provided to rotate the rotation shaft and is activated by a motor.

[18] In a second aspect, an operation method of a sun visor assembly, which operates a visor body used to shade a side window of the vehicle, includes a rotation shaft that rotates in relation to a first rotational axis, which is perpendicular to the head lining of the vehicle. A pivot member pivots according to the rotation of the rotation shaft in relation to a second rotational axis that is integrally formed with the visor body, installed at one surface of the pivot member, and perpendicular to the first rotational axis. A rotation restricting means adjusts a pivot angle of the pivot member in relation to the second rotational axis corresponding to a rotation angle of the rotation shaft in relation to the first rotational axis to thereby allow the pivot member to pivot simul¬ taneously in relation to the first rotational axis and in relation to the second rotational axis while the rotation shaft rotates in relation to the first rotational axis, thus blocking the light incidence from the side window by using the visor body integrally formed with the pivot member.

[19] The restricting means includes a support plate and a guide rod. The support plate is installed horizontally against the head lining. The guide rod has a guide component at the lower end thereof, and the upper end of the guide rod is fixed to the support plate. A guide rail is formed in an arc shape at the pivot member for allowing the guide component to slide thereon. The pivot angle of the pivot member in relation to the second rotational axis is adjusted corresponding to the rotation angle of the rotation shaft in relation to the first rotation axis while the guide component slides along the arc-shaped guide rail.

[20] In another embodiment, the restricting means includes a support plate and a guide rod. The support plate is horizontally installed against the head lining and is formed with a guide rail having an arc shape in relation to the first rotational axis within a descending slope. The guide rod has at the upper end thereof a guide component that is slidable on the guide rail, and the lower end of the guide rod is fixed to the pivot member, in which a pivot angle of the pivot member in relation to the second rotational axis is adjusted corresponding to a rotation angle of the rotation shaft in relation to the first rotation axis while the guide component slides along the arc-shaped guide rail.

[21] More detailed embodiments are described in dependent claims with respect to claims 1 and 12.

Advantageous Effects

[22] Provided that the visor body horizontally disposed in a storage according to the present embodiment is manually operated, the side window of the vehicle is shaded by a mere single manipulation of the visor body. In case the sun visor assembly is auto¬ matically embodied like third and fourth embodiments, the visor body automatically moves without disturbing the driver's visibility. Brief Description of the Drawings

[23] FIGS. 1 and 2 illustrate an installed state of a sun visor for the side of the vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[24] FIGS. 3 to 5 illustrate a sun visor assembly for the side of the vehicle according to a first embodiment of the present invention;

[25] FIGS. 6 to 8 are views for describing the sun visor assembly for the side of the vehicle placed at the shading position according to the first embodiment of the present invention;

[26] FIGS. 9 and 10 illustrate a sun visor assembly for the side of the vehicle according to a second embodiment of the present invention;

[27] FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a sun visor assembly for the side of the vehicle according to a third embodiment of the present invention;

[28] FIG. 12 is a perspective view of a sun visor assembly for the side of the vehicle according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention;

[29] FIG. 13 is an exposed perspective view of a sun visor assembly for the side of the vehicle according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention; and

[30] FIG. 14 illustrates a conventional sun visor. Mode for the Invention

[31] FIGS. 1 and 2 illustrate a sun visor assembly 10 installed in the vehicle for the side window thereof according to an embodiment of the present invention. As illustrated in FIG. 1, the visor body of the sun visor assembly can be disposed in a stowed position (A) or shading position (B). A rotation shaft 11 constituting the sun visor assembly is perpendicularly installed against a head lining 4 of the vehicle. The sun visor assembly is typically mounted in a storage 6 formed between a loop structure 2 and head lining 4. However, the assembly may be protruded out underneath the head lining 4 in the passenger's compartment.

[32] In the stowed position (A), a visor body 28 of sun visor assembly 10 is horizontally placed against the head lining 4. For insulating the light entering into the side window, visor body 28 is shifted from the stowed position (A) to the shading position (B) according to the operation of the sun visor assembly.

[33] In FIG. 1, the 'x' axis refers to the lateral direction of the vehicle while the 'y' axis refers to the longitudinal direction thereof. The 'z' axis designates an upward direction from the ground, and this coordinate system is identically applied in the rest of drawings.

[34] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the sun visor assembly for the side of the vehicle according to a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4 is a side view of the sun visor assembly while FIG. 5 is a rear view of the assembly.

[35] Referring to FIGS. 3 to 5, sun visor assembly 10 includes rotation shaft 11, pivot member 20 that pivots in relation to the rotation shaft, and restricting means that restricts the pivot of pivot member 20 corresponding to the rotation of rotation shaft 11.

[36] Referring back to FIGS. 1 and 2, a support plate 32 is located in close proximity to the front windshield and a corner of the side of the vehicle and is positioned in storage 6 between head lining 4 and loop structure 2. Support plate 32 is mounted with rotation shaft 11 for being rotated with respect to a first rotational axis 12 perpendicular to head lining 4 of the vehicle.

[37] Rotation shaft 11 is formed at the lower portion thereof with a second rotational axis 14 horizontal to support plate 32. Pivot member 20 is also located around the lower portion of rotation shaft 11. Pivot member 20 is pivotally coupled to rotation shaft 11 in relation to second rotational axis 14 via hinges 20a and 20b and is formed with a guide rail 24 having an arc shape with respect to rotation shaft 11.

[38] The restricting means includes a guide rod 22 fixed at support plate 32. The upper end of guide rod 22 is attached to the lower surface of the support plate, and the lower end of guide rod 22 is mounted with a wheel 23. The wheel fits within a groove 24a of guide rail 24 and guides the movement of pivot member 20 along guide rail 24 while pivot member 20 pivots corresponding to the rotation of rotation shaft 11. The guide rail on which the wheel of the guide rod runs is preferably formed in a flat surface but can also be in an elliptical or arc shaped surface. In case of an elliptically curved surface, the inclination of the wheel against groove 24a may be designed to gradually be steep as it moves from the stowed position to the shading position. Therefore, if the guide rail takes the shape of an ellipse or arc, the pivot member pivots smoothly and rapidly at the shading position corresponding to the wheel movement.

[39] Second rotational axis 14 is fixed to first rotational axis 12. When rotation shaft 11 rotates in relation to first rotational axis 12, second rotational axis 14 turns in relation to first rotational axis 12. If second rotational axis 14 turns corresponding to the rotation of rotation shaft 11, pivot member 20 (shifting with respect to second rotational axis 14) simultaneously rotates first rotational axis 12 and second rotational axis 14. During the pivot of pivot member 20, guide rail 24 of pivot member 20 passes through guide rod 22 fixed at support plate 32.

[40] As can be observed in FIGS. 4 and 5, when the visor body of sun visor assembly 10 is in the stowed position, a rotation plate 21 of pivot member 20 is slant for the angle of a ( a

O

) in relation to support plate 32 since the length (I¹) of guide rod 22 is longer than the distance (1) from support plate 32 to second rotational axis 14.

[41] Guide rail 24 formed at rotation plate 21 is also inclined in relation to support plate

32 corresponding to the inclination of rotation plate 21. In case the length of guide rod 22 is gradually extended compared to the distance between support plate 32 and second rotational axis 14, the angle ( a

) shown in FIG. 5 is increased.

[42] Hereinafter, the operation method of the present invention will be described.

[43] The visor body initially placed at the stowed position (A) can be shifted to the shading position (B) by turning rotation shaft 11. When the rotation shaft 11 turns, pivot member 20 coupled at the lower portion of rotation shaft 11 turns in relation to first rotational axis 12 and guide rail 24 of pivot member 20 passes through wheel 23 of guide rod 22 fixed at support plate 32. Wheel 23 relatively moves from the A region (the initial position of the wheel at the stowed position as denoted in FIG. 3) of pivot member 20 toward the B region (the initial position of the wheel at the shading position as denoted in FIG. 6) of pivot member 20. Under the above relative movement, a first rotation of pivot member 20 occurs in relation to first rotational axis 12, and simultaneously, a second rotation of pivot member 20 occurs in relation to second rotational axis 14 that is formed at the lower portion of rotation shaft 11 and is horizontal to the support plate 32. The rotation (r ) relative to the first rotational axis and the rotation (r ) relative to the second rotational axis are continuously performed until the wheel stops at the B region of pivot member 20.

[44] As a result of the rotation (r ) and the rotation (r ), pivot member 20 is oriented in a desired shading position (B) to properly place visor body 28 integrally moving with pivot member 20 to shade the side window of the vehicle.

[45] FIGS. 6 to 8 are perspective view, side view, and rear view, respectively, il¬ lustrating the disposition of rotation shaft 11, pivot member 20, and guide rod 22 when the visor body is placed at the shading position (B). When pivot member 20 turns (r ) relative to first rotational axis 12 from the stowed position and, in turn, shifts (r ) relative to second rotational axis 14, wheel 23 of guide rod 22 is positioned at the B region of guide rail 24. Pivot member 20 forms an angle (β°) with support plate 32 wherein the degree of the angle (β°) can be adjusted to optimize the shading of the side window.

[46] The rotation (r ) relative to the first rotational axis and the rotation (r ) relative to the second rotational axis vary depending on the length (I¹) of guide rod 22, the distance (R) between first rotational axis 12 and guide rod 22, and the relative position of first rotational axis 12 and guide rod 22. The orientation of pivot member 20 varies according to the mutual relationship between the rotation (r ) and rotation (r ).

[47] The length (I¹) of guide rod 22, the distance (R) between first rotational axis 12 and guide rod 22, and the relative position of first rotational axis 12 and guide rod 22 also affect the angle ( a

) formed between pivot member 20 and support plate 32 in the stowed position. Assuming that the distance (1") between first rotational axis 12 and guide rod 22 in the direction of the 'x' axis (see FIG. 3) is constant, the degree of the angle ( a

O

) increases as the length (I¹) of guide rod 22 extends. Otherwise, the degree of the angle

( a

O ) decreases as the length (I¹) of guide rod 22 shortens. As the degree of the angle ( a

) increases, the rotation (r ) relative to the second rotational axis starts quickly in relation to the rotation (r ) relative to the first rotational axis. In other words, as the degree of the angle ( a

) gets smaller, the rotation (r ) relative to the second rotational axis starts slow regard to the rotation (r ) relative to the first rotational axis.

[48] Assuming that the length (I¹) of guide rod 22 is constant as viewed in FIG. 3 and the distance (1") between first rotational axis 12 and guide rod 22 in the 'x' axis direction is reduced, the rotation (r ) relative to the second rotational axis of pivot member 20 starts relatively slow compared to the rotation (r ) relative to the first rotational axis. However, once the rotation (r ) relative to the second rotational axis starts, the rotation (r ) is faster than the rotation (r ) relative to the first rotational axis. In case the distance between first rotational axis 12 and guide rod 22 in the 'x' axis direction is equal to zero, the rotation (r ) relative to the second rotational axis starts when the rotation (r ) relative to the first rotational axis ceases.

[49] The start time of the rotation (r ) relative to the second rotational axis compared to the rotation (r ) relative to the first rotational axis affects the torque applied to pivot member 20 during the pivot of pivot member 20. When the rotation (r ) relative to the second rotational axis starts fast regard to the rotation (r ) relative to the first rotational axis, no torque is applied in the course of the rotation. However, if the rotation (r ) relative to the second rotational axis starts slow in regard to the rotation (r ), then a large torque load is applied upon guide rod 22 and rotation shaft 11 during the pivot of pivot member 20.

[50] The arrangement of first rotational axis 12 and guide rod 22, the length of guide rod

22, and the like can be adjusted according to the structure and formation of the vehicle incorporated with the sun visor assembly, thus, constructed whereby the disposition of visor body 28, the rotation speed of the visor body, and the torque applied onto pivot member 20 are adjusted to optimally prevent the light incidence.

[51] Various methods can be used for turning rotation shaft 11; however, rotation shaft

11 is manually turned in the first embodiment of the present invention. In case the rotation shaft 11 is turned manually, the user pulls out one end of the visor body from the storage (see FIG. 1). The visor body, therefore, rotates and is placed at the shading position of the side window. This configuration can easily be understood and carried out by one who is skilled in the technical field pertaining to the present invention. [52] Sun visor assembly 10 according to the embodiment of the present invention is designed to shade the left side window of the vehicle when the driver seat is placed at the left of the vehicle when observed in the front of the vehicle. Thus, the sun visor for blocking the right front side window can preferably and symmetrically formed against the present embodiment.

[53] FIGS. 9 and 10 depict a sun visor assembly 10' according to a second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 9 depicts the disposition of a pivot member 20' at the stowed position (A), and FIG. 10 depicts the disposition of pivot member 20' at the shading position (B). Unlike the first embodiment of the present invention, sun visor assembly 10' according to the second embodiment has a guide rail 24' (restricting the movement of the pivot member) at a support plate 32'. Guide rail 24' is formed in a spiral shape at the bottom of support plate 32'. A wheel 23' is obliquely placed along the spiral shape of the guide rail depending on the stowed position (A) and shading position (B).

[54] In such a sun visor assembly 10', the upper surface of pivot member 20' is attached to a guide rod 22'. The guide rod is fixed at the lower end thereof to the upper surface of pivot member 20', and the upper end of the guide rod is equipped with wheel 23'. Wheel 23' is inserted into a groove of guide rail 24' for moving along guide rail 24' fixed at support plate 32'.

[55] While wheel 23' moves along guide rail 24', pivot member 20' performs the first rotation relative to first rotational axis 12 and the second rotation relative to second rotational axis 14 at the same time. That is, when pivot member 20' pivots in relation to first rotational axis 12, wheel 23' of the upper end of guide rod 22' (fixedly installed at pivot member 20') moves along guide rail 24' fixed at support plate 32'.

[56] As for the first and second embodiments, if rotation shaft 11 automatically rotates, the visor body can also be activated automatically. The automatically embodied sun visor assembly will be explained in detail below according to other embodiments.

[57] FIG. 11 depicts a sun visor assembly 100 according to a third embodiment of the present invention. Hereinafter, the reference numerals will be identically used to those of the first embodiment.

[58] Sun visor assembly 100 includes rotation shaft 11, pivot member 20, guide rod 22, support plate 32, and activator 40 that rotates rotation shaft 11.

[59] Activator 40 includes a motor 42 for providing the rotational force to rotation shaft

11, and a gear member 43 for transmitting the rotational force of motor 42 to rotation shaft 11. The rotation axis of motor 42 is connected to the upper end of rotation shaft 11 through the worm gear. Support plate 32, rotation shaft 11, and guide rod 22 are identically constituted to those of the first embodiment.

[60] The operation of the sun visor assembly according to the third embodiment of the present invention is executed by activating a controller (not shown) to rotate motor 42. In accordance with the rotation of motor 42, gear member 43 connected to the motor rotates, and rotation shaft 11 also rotates thereby. Pivot member 20 fastened at the bottom of the rotation shaft turns in accordance with the rotation of the rotation shaft. Corresponding to the pivot of the pivot member, the rotations relative to the first rotational axis and second rotational axis described in the first embodiment are carried out.

[61] A worm gear is used for the gear member in this embodiment to transform the horizontal rotation of the rotational axis of the motor into the rotation of the rotation shaft, which rotates perpendicularly in relation to the gear member. However, the gear member may be varied within the scope of the present invention according to the disposition of the motor.

[62] FIGS. 12 and 13 depict a sun visor assembly 1000 according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 12 is a perspective view of the sun visor assembly according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 13 is an exploded perspective view of the sun visor assembly with respect to FIG. 12. Motor 42 and wire 48 are used as a driving means of sun visor assembly 10 described in the first embodiment. Rotation shaft 11, pivot member 20, and guide rod 22 are identical to those of the first embodiment; therefore, the configuration and operation of motor 42 and wire 48 are primarily described in the present embodiment.

[63] Sun visor assembly 1000 includes a support 30, rotation shaft 11, pivot member 20, restricting means, and activator 40, wherein support 30 is installed between the loop structure and head lining 4, and rotation shaft 11 is rotatably installed in relation to first rotational axis 12 of support 30. Pivot member 20 is pivotally installed in relation to second rotational axis 14 that is perpendicular to rotation shaft 11 and horizontal against the support 30. Restricting means restricts the pivot of the pivot member relative to the second rotational axis in regard to the first rotational axis when pivot member 20 pivots according to the rotation of the rotation shaft. Activator 40 activates pivot member 20 by rotating rotation shaft 11.

[64] Support 30 includes support plate 32 having a center hole 32a at a corner thereof. In

FIG. 13, a corner (X), which is adjacent to center hole 32a and parallel to the 'x' axis of support plate 32, faces the front of the vehicle. A corner (Y), which is parallel to the 'y' axis of support plate 32, faces a side of the vehicle.

[65] Rotation shaft 11 passes through center hole 32a of support plate 32 and rotatably installed in relation to first rotational axis 12 perpendicular to support plate 32. For allowing rotation shaft 11 to rotate, a bearing 13 is preferably mounted between rotation shaft 11 and support plate 32. The pivot member is coupled to the lower end of rotation shaft 11 by means of hinges 20a and 20b for pivoting in relation to second rotational axis 14 that is horizontal to support plate 32. Pivot member 20 is formed with guide rail 24 having an arc shape in relation to rotation shaft 11.

[66] The restricting means includes a guide rod fixedly installed at the support plate. The guide rod is secured at the upper end thereof to the lower surface of support plate 32 and the lower end of the guide rod has a wheel. The wheel is inserted into groove 24a of guide rail 24 and induces the movement of pivot member 20 along guide rail 24 in the event of the pivot of pivot member 20 in accordance with the rotation of rotation shaft 11.

[67] Referring now to FIG. 13, rotation shaft 11 penetrates support plate 32 and protrudes out at the upper surface of support plate 32. The protruded rotation shaft 11 is, in turn, inserted by a center hole 37a (formed at one end of a driving support 37 described later) and a center hole 36a (formed at one end of an affixing support 36 described later). Affixing support 36 elongates in the direction of the 'y' axis for being fixed at support plate 32, and the other end of affixing support 36 is secured to one end of a support guide 38 having an arc shape.

[68] Support guide 38 extends in the arc direction around center hole 32a of support plate 32 and is preferably positioned above or on the identical axis with guide rod 22 and center hole 32a placed near the corner (X) of support plate 32 (see FIG. 13).

[69] One lateral surface of support guide 38 is formed with a guide groove 38a for guiding wire 48 used to activate the sun visor assembly of the present invention.

[70] In order to integrally rotate driving support 37 and rotation shaft 11, center hole 37a of driving support 37 is fixed to rotation shaft 11. One end of driving support 37 is formed with a wire fixing part 37a to fasten wire 48 thereto while wire 48 is operated by motor 42.

[71] Wire fixing part 37a is formed with a wire groove 37b into which wire 48 (passing through guide groove 38a of support guide 38) is inserted. Wire fixing part 37b is identical in width to that of guide groove 38 a.

[72] In reference to FIGS. 12 and 13, both ends of support guide 38 are equipped with stoppers 33, 34a, and 34b for restraining the movement of driving support 37. With the installation of the stoppers, driving support 37 moves only from the disposition of stoppers 33, 34a to stopper 34b. In short, the disposition of pivot member 20 and visor body 28 are determined within the stowed position where driving support 37 abuts on stoppers 33 and 34a and the shading position where driving support 37 abuts upon stopper 34b.

[73] As viewed in FIGS. 12 and 13, support plate 32 is formed at one surface thereof with activator 40 for activating rotation shaft 11. Activator 40 includes motor 42, motor support 44, wire 48, and a plurality of wire guiding bearings 39a, 39b, 39c, and 39d. Motor 42 is activated by the driver's manipulation, and motor support 44 supports motor 42. Wire 48 fixed at the wire fixing part of the driving support is connected to a rotation shaft 42a of motor and can move according to the rotation of the motor. Wire guiding bearings 39a through 39d guide wire 48.

[74] Wire 48 is partially wound at rotational shaft 42a of motor 42 and extends to be partially connected to guide groove 38a of support guide 38 through wire guiding bearings 39a to 39d and stopper 34a. The wire wound at guide groove 38a is fixed to wire fixing part 37a of driving support 37, then is re- wound in guide groove 38a of support guide 38 by passing through wire fixing part 37a. Finally, wire 48 is wound around rotation shaft 42a of motor 42 through wire guiding bearing 39d.

[75] Reference numeral 46 in FIGS. 12 and 13 refers to a coupling part used to couple the sun visor assembly of the present invention to the driving part of the electric sun visor assembly filed by the applicant of the present invention. Under such an assembly, the electric sun visor assembly designed to shade the windshield can also shade the side window.

[76] The operation method of the above structure will now be described below. The de¬ scription of the pivot of pivot member 20 corresponding to the rotation of rotation shaft 11 is identical to that of the first embodiment; therefore, the rotation of rotation shaft 11 according to the rotation of motor 42 will be mainly described in the fourth embodiment.

[77] When the light enters into the vehicle through the side window while the vehicle is in motion, the driver presses an operating switch (not shown) mounted near the driver's seat. Rotation shaft 42a of motor 42 of sun visor assembly 10 rotates and wire 48 wound at the rotation shaft moves clockwise along wire guiding bearings 39a, 39b, and 39c as shown in FIG. 12. Since wire 48 is partially fixed at wire fixing part 37a, driving support 37 having wire fixing part 37a also moves along support guide 38 in the arrow direction of the drawing.

[78] According to the shift of driving support 37, rotation shaft 11 fixed at driving support 37 starts to rotate and pivot member 20 pivots just like the first embodiment. The visor body also shifts to the shading position (B).

[79] In order to restore visor body 28 from the shading position to the stowed position, the driver presses a restoring switch (not shown) located near the driver's seat whereby motor 42 rotates opposite from the direction of the above rotation (shifting the sun visor to the shading position).

[80] The present invention is not limited to the above embodiments but can be modified in the scope of appended claims.

Claims

[1] A sun visor assembly, which drives a visor body to shade a side window of a vehicle, comprising: a rotation shaft that rotates in relation to a first rotational axis perpendicular to a head lining of the vehicle; a pivot member having one end installed at said rotation shaft in a longitudinal direction thereof and the other end integrally formed with said visor body, and said pivot member includes a pivot hinge for pivoting in relation to said first rotational axis and in relation to a second rotational axis, which is perpendicular to said first rotational axis; and restricting means that adjusts a pivot angle of said pivot member relative to said second rotational axis according to a rotation angle of said rotation shaft relative to said first rotational axis to thereby allow said pivot member to turn simul¬ taneously in relation to said first rotational axis and in relation to said second rotational axis corresponding to the rotation of said rotation shaft in relation to said first rotational axis.

[2] The assembly as defined in claim 1, wherein said restricting means includes: a support plate horizontally installed in relation to said head lining; a guide rod having a guide component at a lower end thereof, and an upper end of said guide rod is fixed to said support plate; and a guide rail formed at said pivot member in an arc-shape in relation to said first rotational axis to thereby permit said guide component to slide thereon.

[3] The assembly as defined in claim 1, wherein said restricting means includes: a support plate horizontally installed in relation to said head lining and formed with a guide rail having an arc shape in relation to said first rotational axis; and a guide rod mounted at an upper end thereof with a guide component that slides on said guide rail, and a lower end of said guide rod is fixed to said pivot member.

[4] The assembly as defined in claim 2 or 3, wherein said guide rail on which said guide component passes through is shaped to gradually be steep in inclination thereof.

[5] The assembly as defined in claim 2 or 3, wherein said guide component includes a wheel mounted at said guide rod.

[6] The assembly as defined in claim 5, further comprising driving means for rotating said rotation shaft.

[7] The assembly as defined in claim 6, wherein said driving means includes a motor.

[8] The assembly as defined in claim 7, wherein said driving means comprises gear means connected between said rotation shaft and motor, and said driving means rotates said rotation shaft according to a rotation of said motor.

[9] The assembly as defined in claim 7, wherein said driving means further includes: a wire that moves by said motor; and wire support means that is installed at said support plate for guiding a movement of said wire, wherein said rotation shaft rotates according to a movement of said wire.

[10] The assembly as defined in claim 7, wherein said driving means further includes: a wire that moves by said motor; wire guide means for guiding a movement of said wire; and a driving support having one end fixed to said rotation shaft and the other end affixed to said wire, wherein said driving support turns in the arc direction in relation to said first rotation axis when said wire moves, and as said driving support turns in relation to said first rotation axis corresponding to the movement of said wire, said rotation shaft rotates, accordingly.

[11] The assembly as defined in claim 10, further comprising a stopper for limiting the range of rotation of said driving support.

[12] An operation method of a sun visor assembly, which operates a visor body used to shade a side window of the vehicle, comprising: a rotation shaft that rotates in relation to a first rotational axis, which is per¬ pendicular to a head lining of the vehicle; a pivot member that pivots according to the rotation of said rotation shaft in relation to said second rotational axis that is integrally formed with said visor body, installed at one surface of said pivot member, and perpendicular to said first rotational axis; and rotation restricting means that adjusts a pivot angle of said pivot member in relation to said second rotational axis corresponding to a rotation angle of said rotation shaft in relation to said first rotational axis to thereby allow said pivot member to pivot simultaneously in relation to said first rotational axis and in relation to said second rotational axis while said rotation shaft rotates in relation to said first rotational axis, thus blocking the side window using said visor body integrally formed with said pivot member.

[13] The method as defined in claim 12, wherein said restricting means includes: a support plate that is installed horizontally against said head lining; a guide rod having a guide component at a lower end thereof, and an upper end of said guide rod is fixed to said support plate; and a guide rail formed at said pivot member in an arc-shape on which said guide component slides, wherein a pivot angle of said pivot member in relation to said second rotational axis is adjusted corresponding to a rotation angle of said rotation shaft in relation to said first rotation axis while said guide component slides along said arc-shaped guide rail.

[14] The method as defined in claim 12, wherein said restricting means includes: a support plate that is installed horizontally against said head lining and is formed with a guide rail having an arc shape in relation to said first rotational axis within a descending slope; and a guide rod having, at an upper end thereof, a guide component that is slidable on said guide rail, and a lower end of said guide rod is fixed to said pivot member, wherein a pivot angle of said pivot member in relation to said second rotational axis corresponding to a rotation angle of said rotation shaft in relation to said first rotation axis is adjusted while said guide component slides along said arc- shaped guide rail.

[15] The method as defined in claim 12 or 13, wherein said guide component includes a wheel.

[16] The method as defined in claim 12 or 13, wherein said guide rail on which said guide component passes through is shaped to gradually be steep in inclination.

[17] The method as defined in claim 15, wherein said rotation shaft is manually rotated.

[18] The method as defined in claim 15, wherein said rotation shaft rotates via a motor.

[19] The method as defined in claim 16, further comprising gear means connected between said rotation shaft and motor, and said gear means rotates said rotation shaft according to a rotation of said motor.

[20] The method as defined in claim 16, further comprising: a wire that moves by said motor; and wire support means that is installed at said support plate for guiding a movement of said wire, wherein said rotation shaft rotates according to the movement of said wire.