Sun visor with switchable cover overlying vanity mirror

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2016193902-A1
Application number	US-201514589220-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	Jan 5, 2015
Priority date	Jan 5, 2015
Publication date	Jul 7, 2016
Grant date	—

Abstract

A sun visor for a vehicle includes a visor body, a minor carried on the visor body and a cover overlying the minor. A control module controls operation of the cover and switches the cover between an opaque state wherein the mirror is hidden from view and a transparent state wherein the mirror is visible to view and available for use.

First claim

1 . A sun visor for a vehicle, comprising:
a visor body; a mirror carried on said visor body; a cover overlying said mirror, said cover being switchable between an opaque state and a transparent state; and a control module for controlling operation of said cover, said control module including a controller and a component selected from a group consisting of a timer, a position sensor, a voice command component and combinations thereof, wherein said control module being responsive to input from the component to switch said cover between an opaque state and a transparent state.

2 . (canceled)

3 . The sun visor of claim 1 , further including at least one light source carried on said visor body.

4 . The sun visor of claim 3 , wherein said at least one light source is positioned under said cover with said mirror.

5 . The sun visor of claim 1 , wherein said control module includes a position sensor.

6 . The sun visor of claim 5 , further including at least one light source carried on said visor body.

7 . The sun visor of claim 6 , wherein said at least one light source is positioned under said cover with said mirror.

8 . The sun visor of claim 1 , wherein said control module includes a voice command component.

9 . The sun visor of claim 8 , further including at least one light source carried on said visor body.

10 . The sun visor of claim 9 , wherein said at least one light source is positioned under said cover with said mirror.

11 . The sun visor of claim 10 , wherein said visor body is devoid of any actuator switch for said cover.

12 . The sun visor of claim 1 , further including an actuator switch for said cover on said visor body.

13 . The sun visor of claim 1 , further including at least one light source and an actuator switch for said at least one light source carried on said visor body.

14 . A method of operating a sun visor mirror in a vehicle, comprising:
covering a mirror on the sun visor with a cover that is switchable between an opaque state and a transparent state; and switching said cover between states by means of a controller responsive to voice commands whereby said mirror may be hidden from view or exposed for use.

15 . The method of claim 14 , further including switching, by said controller, said cover to said opaque state whenever the sun visor is positioned in a storage position adjacent a headliner of the vehicle.

16 . The method of claim 14 , further including switching, by said controller, said cover to said opaque state whenever the sun visor is positioned over a portion of a side window of the vehicle.

17 . The method of claim 14 , further including switching, by said controller, from said transparent state to said opaque state after a predetermined period of time.

18 . A sun visor for a vehicle, comprising:
a visor body; a mirror carried on said visor body; a cover overlying said mirror, said cover being switchable between an opaque state and a transparent state; and a control module for controlling operation of said cover, said control module including a controller and a timer, said controller being responsive to said timer to return said cover to said opaque state from said transparent state after a predetermined period of time.

Assignees

• Ford Global Tech Llc

Inventors

• Hill Anna Miller
• Osstyn Neal Randolph
• Jones Peter David Alexander
• Rocco Charles Alan

Classifications

• B60Q2500/00

  Special features or arrangements of vehicle interior lamps · CPC title

• B60J3/0282 Primary

  specially adapted for a courtesy mirror · CPC title

• B60J3/04

  adjustable in transparency · CPC title

• B60Q3/0226

  Operations & Transport · mapped topic

• B60J3/02 Primary

  adjustable in position {(B60J3/002, B60J3/005 take precedence)} · CPC title