Magnetic Stretch to Fit Sunshade

2020

The Magnetic Stretch to Fit Sunshade was designed to protect baby away from harmful rays and beat the heat. With the innovative magnetic attachment system, it can attach to any metal door frames securely. As it attaches to the door frame, the window can be rolled down without removing the shade. The unique mesh fabric stretches in all directions allowing for maximum coverage. The size can be adjusted with the hook and hoop to gather excess fabric for smaller or slanted windows. It is function meets aesthetic, the design blends seamless in any car interior while allowing fresh air on the ride and keeping baby safe.

IDEA.

Protecting your baby from the harmful UV rays have always been a challenge for parents when they are driving.  The current shades in the market either uses suction cup that fall off over time or doesn’t provide the coverage needed for your car.  To address this need, we came up with a magnetic attachment to the metal frame of the car combined with stretchable mesh fabric that can custom fit to various window sizes for maximum coverage. 

FORM.

We wanted to design the shade with minimal attachment geometry so it can blend into the car interior as well as not obstruct the view for the driver.  This called for a strong magnet strength to attach securely to the metal frame without slipping that can also withstand high temperature for the hot summer months.  The magnet is then enclosed in a PVC pocket and stitched inside a fabric pocket as a double entrapment for safety as this product is intended to be used as a baby sunshade.  The side where the magnet meets the metal has been carefully chosen to be a thin material to reduce the chance of compromising magnet strength.  

FUNCTION.

The polyester/spandex mesh and elastic binding allows user to stretch and custom fit to various window sizes for maximum coverage to block out the sun rays without compromising the visibility while driving.  The five magnets attach to the car’s metal window frame with ease and can be trapped between the weather strip for extra security so the user doesn’t need to worry about the shade falling off over time as well as roll down the glass window without removing the shade.  The minimal design allows the shade to blend into the car interior as well as the habit and lifestyle of the user.  

INNOVATION.

There has not been much innovation in the baby car shade category in the past few years but with introduction to the magnetic attachment, we are able to take the shade category to the next level and expand the current portfolio in the travel line within the Munchkin brand.  In the current market, the sunshades use suction cups to attach to the window of the car, which can over time, deform and fall off due to change in seasons and temperature.  This current suction attachment doesn’t allow the user to roll down the window without fearing the shade will pop off in the process as well as cover only a portion of the window to block the sun ray.  

IMPACT.

Unlike the suction cup sunshades, the magnetic shade does not deform over time and is easy to attach and remove.  This allow the product to be used for longer period compared to existing shades resulting in less waste overall.