Shading Device and Vehicle Door

Abstract

A shading device includes a retractable and deployable shading curtain that includes at least one shading layer and has a first longitudinal side and a second longitudinal side opposite to the first longitudinal side; a drawing device configured to deploy the shading curtain; and a first guide rail having a groove configured to receive and guide the first longitudinal side of the shading curtain. A deployed section of the first longitudinal side of the shading curtain is at least partially received in the groove when the shading curtain is in a partially or finally deployed state. The first longitudinal side has support members, by way of which the first longitudinal side is receivable and guidable in the groove.

Claims

1.-15. (canceled)

16. A shading device comprising: a retractable and deployable shading curtain that includes at least one shading layer and has a first longitudinal side and a second longitudinal side opposite to the first longitudinal side; a drawing device configured to deploy the shading curtain; and a first guide rail having a groove configured to receive and guide the first longitudinal side of the shading curtain; wherein: a deployed section of the first longitudinal side of the shading curtain is at least partially received in the groove when the shading curtain is in a partially deployed or finally deployed state; and the first longitudinal side has a support member, by way of which the first longitudinal side is receivable and guidable in the groove.

17. The shading device according to claim 16, wherein: the shading curtain includes a first shading layer made of a first flexible material, and the shading curtain includes a second shading layer made of a second flexible material.

18. The shading device according to claim 17, wherein the first shading layer has a first support member, and/or the second shading layer has a second support member.

19. The shading device according to claim 16, wherein: a winding axis of the shading curtain is in a vertical line, or forms an angle of no more than 30° with the vertical line, the first longitudinal side is an upper longitudinal side, and the second longitudinal side is a lower longitudinal side.

20. The shading device according to claim 16, wherein the support member is configured to slide along the groove.

21. The shading device according to claim 20, wherein a width of the groove and a width of the first longitudinal side of the shading curtain together with the support member are adapted to each other, so that the first longitudinal side of the shading curtain together with the support member form a clearance fit with the groove.

22. The shading device according to claim 16, wherein the support member is arranged on a side surface of a first longitudinal side of the respective shading layer, or the support member forms an edge of the first longitudinal side of the respective shading layer.

23. The shading device according to claim 16, wherein the support member and the first guide rail can generate a magnetic attractive force and/or a magnetic repulsive force.

24. The shading device according to claim 23, wherein: the support member is configured to generate the magnetic attractive force and/or the magnetic repulsive force with at least one side wall and/or the bottom of the first guide rail; and the support member includes a first magnet or is at least partially made of a first magnetic material, and the first guide rail includes a second magnet or is at least partially made of a second magnetic material.

25. The shading device according to claim 17, wherein: the first support member is configured to generate a first magnetic attractive force with a first groove wall of the first guide rail, and the second support member is configured to generate a second magnetic attractive force with a second groove wall of the first guide rail opposite to the first groove wall; and/or the first support member is configured to generate a third magnetic attractive force with a bottom of the first guide rail, and the second support member is configured to generate a fourth magnetic attractive force with the bottom of the first guide rail.

26. The shading device according to claim 17, wherein the first support member and the second support member are configured to maintain a spacing between deployed sections of the first shading layer and the second shading layer during a movement of the shading curtain and/or in a stationary state of the shading curtain.

27. The shading device according to claim 16, further comprising a second guide rail having a groove configured to receive and guide a second longitudinal side of the shading curtain.

28. The shading device according to claim 27, wherein the second longitudinal side has a support member, by way of which the second longitudinal side is receivable and guidable in the groove of the second guide rail.

29. The shading device according to claim 28, wherein the support member of the second longitudinal side and the second guide rail can generate a magnetic attractive force and/or a magnetic repulsive force.

30. The shading device according to claim 28, wherein: the shading curtain includes a first shading layer and a second shading layer, the first shading layer and the second shading layer are respectively made of a flexible material, and the support member of the second longitudinal side is configured to maintain a spacing between deployed sections of the first shading layer and the second shading layer during a movement of the shading curtain and/or in a stationary state of the shading curtain.

31. The shading device according to claim 16, wherein the shading device is configured for a vehicle.

32. The shading device according to claim 31, wherein the shading device is configured for a side window of a motor vehicle.

33. The shading device according to claim 32, wherein: the shading curtain is configured to be deployed from one side to the other side of a front side and a rear side of the side window, the first longitudinal side is an upper longitudinal side, and the second longitudinal side is a lower longitudinal side.

34. The shading device according to claim 16, wherein the support member is a member extending continuously on the first longitudinal side of the shading curtain, or is a plurality of parts distributed on the first longitudinal side of the shading curtain.

35. A vehicle door for a motor vehicle, the vehicle door comprising a side window, wherein: the vehicle door is provided with the shading device according to claim 15, the shading curtain of the shading device is configured to be deployed from one side to the other side of a front side and a rear side of the side window, and the first guide rail of the shading device extends along an upper edge of the side window.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0066] FIGS. 1A to 1C are perspective views of a vehicle door equipped with a shading device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0067] FIGS. 2A and 2B are partial cross-sectional views of shading devices according to two different embodiments in a region of a guide rail.

[0068] FIGS. 3A and 3B are partial cross-sectional views of shading devices according to two different embodiments in a region of a guide rail.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0069] In order to make the object, features and advantages of the present invention more understandable, specific embodiments of the present invention are described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the following description, specific details are set forth in order to provide thorough understanding of the present invention. However, the present invention may be implemented in other ways different from those described here, and those skilled in the art may make modifications without leaving away the sense of the present invention. Therefore, the present invention is not limited to the specific embodiments disclosed below.

[0070] It should be pointed out, the singular form in the texts also includes the plural form, unless excluded explicitly. Furthermore, as used herein, components, steps, operations and elements referring to “comprising” or “including” mean that at least one other component, step, operation and element may be present or added. The terms “first” and “second” in the texts are used for the convenience of describing and distinguishing different components having the same name, and do not indicate the order or a primary and secondary relationship of these components.

[0071] FIGS. 1A to 1C are perspective views of a vehicle door 1 equipped with a shading device 20 according to an embodiment of the present invention as viewed from the inside of a vehicle, wherein an inactive retracted state (e.g. a predetermined finally rolled up state) of the shading device 20 is shown in FIG. 1A, an intermediate state of the shading device 20 during a deployment process is shown in FIG. 1B, and an active deployed state (a predetermined finally deployed state) of the shading device 20 is shown in FIG. 1C, in which the shading device 20 may at least partially shield the light from the outside of the vehicle window into an inner room of the vehicle.

[0072] The vehicle door 1 has a side window 2 having a window frame 3 and a window glass 4 mounted in the window frame. The side window 2 is provided with the shading device 20 that may be arranged in an inner room of the vehicle, in other words, in the inside of the side window 2. The shading device 20 includes a shading curtain 24. The shading device 20 may include a housing 21 that may be mounted for example in a rear end region of the side window 2, wherein the shading curtain 24 may be rolled up and accommodated in the housing 21, and may be pulled out from the housing 21 by a drawing device 22 until reaching a front end region of the side window 2 opposite to the rear end region, i.e. reaching an active deployed state. The shading curtain 24 has two longitudinal sides opposite to each other, wherein a first upper longitudinal side may have an extension substantially identical to that of an upper edge of the window frame in a predetermined finally deployed state, and therefore extend substantially in the deployment direction. A second lower longitudinal side may have an extension substantially identical to that of a lower edge of the window frame, and thus extend substantially straight in the deployment direction.

[0073] The shading device 20 may further include a driving device 23 that may be arranged for example on a sheet metal part of the vehicle door, and may be covered by a door trim panel. The driving device 23 may be for example an electric motor. The driving device 23 may be configured to drive the drawing device 22 so as to move the drawing device 22 as a whole to deploy and/or retract the shading curtain 24. The transmission between the driving device 23 and the drawing device 22 may be suitably designed as required. For example, the driving device 23 may drive a Bowden cable that can drive an operation rod 5, which can operate the drawing device 22. For example, it is also possible that the driving device 23 drives an endless wire rope transmission that can drive an operation element such as the operation rod 5, which can operate the drawing device 22.

[0074] The shading device may have a first guide rail 25 configured for a first longitudinal side of the shading curtain 24 (an upper longitudinal side of the shading curtain in FIGS. 1A to 1C). Details of shading devices 20 according to various embodiments in a region of the first guide rail 25 and the first longitudinal side will be described in more detail later with reference to FIGS. 2A and 2B and FIGS. 3A and 3B. The first guide rail 25 and its groove may have an extension substantially identical to that of the upper edge of the window frame.

[0075] The shading device may have a second guide rail 26 in which the operation element such as the operation rod 5 and/or the Bowden cable may be guided. To this end, for example, the second guide rail 26 may have a groove. The driving device 23 drives the operation element such as the operation rod 5 to move in the groove of the second guide rail. It is advantageous that the operation rod 5 can move in a plane. It is particularly advantageous that the operation rod 5 can be deflected by a predetermined angle from the inactive retracted position, i.e. from a substantially vertical position, in a predetermined deployment displacement of the shading curtain 24, and then the angular position of the operation rod 5 can be kept unchanged in the following deployment displacement of the shading curtain 24. Additionally, a second longitudinal side of the shading curtain 24 (a lower longitudinal side of the shading curtain in FIGS. 1A to 1C) may also be received and guided in the groove of the second guide rail 26.

[0076] The usage of the shading device 20 shown in FIGS. 1A to 1C is exemplary. In an alternative usage, a deployed length of the shading curtain 24 may correspond to a part of the length of the side window 2, for example, a half length thereof. In an alternative usage, the housing of the shading device may be arranged in a lower end region of the side window 2, and the shading curtain may be deployed in an upward direction toward an upper end region of the side window 2. In an alternative usage, the shading device 20 may be permanently kept in the finally deployed state.

[0077] The shading curtain 24 may be configured with a single layer, i.e. have exact one shading layer 241, as shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B. The shading curtain 24 may also be configured with two layers, i.e. have a first shading layer 241 and a second shading layer 242, as shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B. For example, the first and the second shading layer 241, 242 may respectively have at least two types of light transmission areas with different light transmission properties, and may move relative to each other, so that the shading curtain 24 may have an adjustable light transmission property. For example, it may be switched between a maximum light transmission state and a substantially opaque state. The shading curtain 24 may also be configured with more layers.

[0078] Now, shading devices 20 according to two different embodiments are described with reference to FIGS. 2A and 2B, which are partial cross-sectional views in a region of a first guide rail 25 and a first longitudinal side, wherein a single shading layer 241 is partially illustrated in a height direction vertical to a deployment direction. The first guide rail 25 may be configured to receive and guide the first longitudinal side of the shading curtain 24 or to say a first longitudinal side of the shading layer 241. The first guide rail 25 may have a groove 251. The first longitudinal side of the shading curtain 24 may be at least sometimes, at least partially received and guided in the groove 251 in a deployment process and in a retraction process of the shading curtain. The shading layer 241 may be provided with a support member 243 on a first longitudinal side and may be guided in the groove 251 by way of the support member. For example, the support member can slide along the first guide rail 25. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 2A, the support member 243 is arranged on a side surface of the first longitudinal side of the shading layer 241, while in the embodiment shown in FIG. 2B, the support member 243 is arranged at an end of the first longitudinal side of the shading layer 241.

[0079] It is advantageous that a width of the groove 251 and a width of the first longitudinal side of the shading curtain together with the support member 243 is adapted to each other, so that the first longitudinal side of the shading curtain together with the support member may form a clearance fit with the groove.

[0080] It is advantageous that the support member 243 may be a magnet or made of a magnetic material, and the guide rail 25 may include a magnet or be made of a magnetic material, so that the support member 243 and the first guide rail 25 can generate a magnetic attractive force and/or a magnetic repulsive force.

[0081] Through the aforementioned clearance fit, or through the aforementioned magnetic force, especially through a combination of both, it may be ensured that the shading curtain is always kept in good flatness and stable shading performance during the deployment process and in the finally deployed position, and has good resistance to external interference such as vehicle vibration.

[0082] In the embodiment shown in FIG. 2A, the first guide rail 25 has a magnet 252 arranged in a groove wall of the first guide rail and can generate a magnetic attractive force with the support member 243. It is also possible that an additional magnet is provided in the other groove wall, which can generate a magnetic repulsive force with the magnet 243, which may be beneficial for holding the support member 243 on the groove wall having the magnet 252. In an embodiment not shown, alternatively or additionally thereto, an additional magnet is provided on the other side surface of the first longitudinal side, and an additional magnet is provided in the other groove wall, which can generate a magnetic repulsive force.

[0083] In the embodiment shown in FIG. 2B, the first guide rail 25 has a magnet 254 at its bottom, which can generate a magnetic attractive force with the support member 243. The first longitudinal side of the shading curtain 20 or to say the first longitudinal side of the shading layer 241 can be well received and guided in the groove 251 of the guide rail 25 through the interaction of the magnets. When the motor vehicle equipped with the shading device 20 drives, vibration may occur. Through the interaction of the magnets, the shading curtain 20 may be not obviously affected by the vibration of the motor vehicle and thus can be kept in good optical performance.

[0084] In addition, it is possible that the embodiment shown in FIG. 2A may be combined with the embodiment shown in FIG. 2B, and thus the first longitudinal side can be magnetically attracted to one of the groove walls as well as the bottom of the first guide rail 25.

[0085] Shading devices 20 according to two different embodiments are described with reference to FIGS. 3A and 3B that are partial cross-sectional views in a region of a first guide rail 25 and a first longitudinal side, wherein two shading layers 241, 242 are partially illustrated in a height direction perpendicular to a deployment direction. The first guide rail 25 may be configured to receive and guide the first longitudinal side of the shading curtain 24 of the shading curtain device 20. The first guide rail 25 may have a groove 251. First longitudinal sides of the two shading layers 241, 242 of the shading curtain 20 can be at least sometimes, at least partially received and guided in the groove 251 in a deployment process and in a retraction process of the shading curtain. The two shading layers 241, 242 may be respectively provided with a support member 243, 244 on the first longitudinal sides, and may be guided in the groove 251 by way of the support members. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 3A, the support members 243, 244 are arranged on outer side surfaces of the first longitudinal sides of the shading layers 241, 242, while in the embodiment shown in FIG. 3B, the support members 243, 244 are arranged at the ends of the first longitudinal sides of the shading layers 241, 242.

[0086] It is advantageous that a width of the groove 251 and a width of the first longitudinal side of the shading curtain together with the support members 243 and 244 are adapted to each other, so that the first longitudinal side of the shading curtain together with the support members can form a clearance fit with the groove.

[0087] It is advantageous that the support members 243, 244 may be magnets or made of a magnetic material, and the first guide rail 25 may include a magnet or made of a magnetic material, so that the support members 243, 244 and the first guide rail 25 can generate a magnetic attractive force and/or a magnetic repulsive force.

[0088] Through the aforementioned clearance fit, or through the aforementioned magnetic force, especially through a combination of both, it may be ensured that the shading curtain is always kept in good flatness and stable shading performance during the deployment process and in the finally deployed position, and has good resistance to external interference such as vehicle vibration.

[0089] In the embodiment shown in FIG. 3A, the guide rail 25 has two magnets 252, 253 that are respectively arranged in one of the groove walls of the first guide rail 25 and can respectively generate a magnetic attractive force with one of the support members 243, 244. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 3B, the first guide rail 25 has a magnet 254 at the bottom thereof, which is common for the two support members, and can generate a magnetic attractive force with the two support members 242, 244. The first longitudinal side of the shading curtain 20 or to say the first longitudinal sides of the two shading layers 241, 242 can be well received and guided in the groove 251 of the guide rail 25 through the interaction of the magnets. Alternatively thereto, another possibility is that the support member 243 and the magnet 252 can generate a magnetic attractive force, and the support member 244 and the magnet 253 can generate a magnetic repulsive force, and the support member 244 is arranged on an inner side surface of the first longitudinal side of the second shading layer 242 facing the first shading layer 241.

[0090] In addition, it is possible that the embodiment shown in FIG. 3A may be combined with the embodiment shown in FIG. 3B, and thus the first longitudinal side of the first shading layer can be magnetically attracted to one of the groove walls as well as the bottom of the first guide rail 25, and the first longitudinal side of the second shading layer can be magnetically attracted to the other groove wall as well as the bottom of the first guide rail 25.

[0091] It is advantageous that the first support member 243 and the second support member 244 may be configured to maintain the spacing between the deployed sections of the first and the second shading layer 241 and 242 during the movement of the shading curtain 24 and/or in the stationary state of the shading curtain 24.

[0092] In addition, the second guide rail 26 may be identically or similarly formed with a groove, and the second guide rail 26 and the second longitudinal side of the shading curtain 24 may be identically or similarly provided with a magnet arrangement. In order to avoid repetition, references may be made to the above description of the first guide rail 25 and the first longitudinal side, unless otherwise stated differently. For example, the second longitudinal side may also have the same or similar first and second support member, which are configured to maintain the spacing between the deployed sections of the first and second shading layers, in cooperation with the first and the second support member of the first longitudinal side, during the movement of the shading curtain and/or in the stationary state of the shading curtain.

[0093] Furthermore, each support member may be a member extending continuously on the first or the second longitudinal side of the shading curtain, or may be a plurality of members distributed, for example uniformly distributed, on the first or the second longitudinal side of the shading curtain.

[0094] In an embodiment not shown, the first guide rail and/or the second guide rail may have two separate parallel grooves for the first longitudinal side and/or the second longitudinal side of the two shading layers. Here, the configuration of one of the two shading layers and one of the two grooves may be similar to the configuration of the single-layer shading curtain and the one groove in the aforementioned embodiments.

[0095] It may be understood that the present invention is described with the aid of the above specific embodiments, but is not limited thereto. Those skilled in the art may make modifications on the basis of the disclosure in the present application, all of which do not leave away from the protection scope of the present invention. Individual technical features introduced in the present application, even if they are introduced in different paragraphs of the description or in different embodiments, may be arbitrarily combined with each other, as long as they are not contradictory.