Patents Assigned to Magna Mirrors of America, Inc.
  • Patent number: 11975654
    Abstract: A vehicular exterior rearview mirror assembly includes a mirror head pivotally mounted at a mounting base configured for attachment at a side of a vehicle. The mirror head accommodates a reflective element. A powerfold actuator is operable to pivot the mirror head relative to the mounting base between at least an extended position and a folded position. The powerfold actuator includes a primary detent state that is engaged to maintain the mirror head at the extended position when the mirror head is pivoted via the powerfold actuator to the extended position. When the mirror head is manually moved from the folded position to the extended position, the powerfold operator is in a secondary detent to maintain the mirror head at the extended position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2023
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2024
    Assignee: Magna Mirrors of America, Inc.
    Inventors: Kenneth C. Peterson, Mitchell J. Wesley
  • Patent number: 11970115
    Abstract: A vehicular lighted exterior rearview mirror system includes a lighted exterior rearview mirror assembly and a light module. With the mirror assembly attached at a side of a vehicle, the light module is at least in part disposed at a portion of the mirror head of the lighted exterior rearview mirror assembly that faces in a direction of forward travel of the vehicle. The light module includes a two dimensional array of illumination sources that has at least two rows of illumination sources, each row of illumination sources having a plurality of illumination sources. With the mirror assembly attached at the vehicle, the two dimensional array of illumination sources, when electrically powered, emits light at least in the direction of forward travel of the vehicle. The illumination sources of the two dimensional array of illumination sources are controlled responsive to a turn signal of the vehicle being actuated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2023
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2024
    Assignee: Magna Mirrors of America, Inc.
    Inventors: Gregory A. Huizen, Keith D. Foote
  • Patent number: 11970110
    Abstract: A vehicular frameless interior rearview mirror assembly includes a mirror head and a mounting portion. The mirror head includes a mirror reflective element and a mirror casing. The mirror reflective element includes a glass substrate having a planar front side and a planar rear side. No portion of the mirror casing overlaps the planar front side of the glass substrate of the mirror reflective element. A camera is disposed within the mirror casing. With the mounting portion of the mirror assembly mounted at an in-cabin side of a windshield of a vehicle, the camera views a driver of the vehicle, and when the mirror head is moved by the driver of the vehicle to adjust the rearward view provided by the mirror reflective element to the driver, the camera moves in tandem with movement of the mirror head. The camera is part of a driver monitoring system of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2023
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2024
    Assignee: Magna Mirrors of America, Inc.
    Inventors: Darryl P. De Wind, Donald S. Rawlings, John T. Uken
  • Patent number: 11970111
    Abstract: A vehicular exterior rearview mirror assembly includes a mounting arm and a mirror head at one end of the mounting arm distal from an attachment portion of the mounting arm that is configured for attachment at a vehicle. A mirror reflective element is fixedly attached at the mirror head. An innermost side of the mirror reflective element is attached at a front side of an attachment plate. The mirror reflective element moves in tandem with movement of the mirror head relative to the mounting arm when the driver of the vehicle operates an electrically-operable actuator. The attachment plate includes wall structure that extends from the front side of the attachment plate and circumscribes and spans the perimeter circumferential edge of the glass substrate and does not encroach onto and does not overlap the front surface of the glass substrate of the exterior mirror reflective element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 2023
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2024
    Assignee: MAGNA MIRRORS OF AMERICA, INC.
    Inventors: John T. Uken, Darryl P. De Wind, Keith D. Foote, Joseph M. Mambourg, Rodney K. Blank, Mark L. Larson, Niall R. Lynam
  • Patent number: 11970112
    Abstract: A vehicular exterior rearview mirror assembly includes a powerfold actuator electrically operable to pivot a mirror head relative to a mounting base. The powerfold actuator includes a biasing element disposed between an upper housing and an upper end of a pivot tube and releasably retains the powerfold actuator in at least one detent state. The powerfold actuator includes (i) a lower detent disposed between the base portion and a lower housing, (ii) an output gear disposed between the lower housing and the upper housing and (iii) an upper detent disposed between the lower housing and the upper housing. When the powerfold actuator is in a primary detent state, the lower detent and the output gear are rotationally fixed relative to the pivot tube and the upper detent is axially movable along the pivot tube. When the mirror head is manually moved, a secondary detent state is engaged.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2023
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2024
    Assignee: Magna Mirrors of America, Inc.
    Inventors: Matthew V. Steffes, Mitchell J. Wesley
  • Patent number: 11958414
    Abstract: A vehicular video mirror system includes a video display screen disposed in a mirror head. The system includes a vehicle-mounted rear backup camera and a trailer-mounted rearward viewing camera. The trailer-mounted camera includes an imaging array with a first subset of pixels representative of an upper rearward-view region of the field of view and a second subset of pixels that represents a lower rearward-view region of the field of view. With the trailer hitched to the vehicle and responsive to the vehicle being set for forward propulsion, the video display screen displays images derived from the first subset of pixels and not from the second subset of pixels. With the trailer hitched to the vehicle and responsive to the vehicle being set for rearward propulsion, the video display screen displays images derived from the second subset of pixels and not from the first subset of pixels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2024
    Assignee: Magna Mirrors of America, Inc.
    Inventors: Rodney K. Blank, Christopher R. Koetje, Patrick M. Foley, IV
  • Patent number: 11959311
    Abstract: A vehicular exterior door handle assembly includes a bracket, a handle, and a clip. The handle, with the bracket mounted at an exterior door handle region of a vehicular door, is movable relative to the bracket by a user to actuate a latch mechanism for opening the door. The clip is attached at the bracket and engages a pivot end of the handle when the pivot end is inserted into the bracket, and retains the pivot end of the handle at the bracket when the pivot end of the handle is engaged with a pivot element of the bracket. The clip (i) limits movement of the handle relative to the bracket in a direction along a longitudinal axis of the bracket or handle, (ii) allows pivotal movement of the handle about the pivot element of the bracket, and (iii) allows for removal of the handle from the bracket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2024
    Assignee: Magna Mirrors of America, Inc.
    Inventors: James A. Ruse, Brett A. Gorby
  • Patent number: 11952820
    Abstract: A vehicular slider window assembly includes a frame portion, a fixed window panel fixed relative to the frame portion, and a movable window panel. A drive system is operable to move the movable window panel between an opened position and a closed position. The drive system includes (i) a housing attached at the fixed window panel, (ii) a drive motor disposed in the housing, (iii) a threaded shaft disposed in the housing and rotatably driven by the drive motor, (iv) a connecting element that threadedly receives the threaded shaft therethrough and (v) a window connector that is affixed to the movable window panel and that pivotally connects to the connecting element. Rotation of the threaded shaft imparts a translational movement of the connecting element along the threaded shaft to move the movable window panel between the opened and closed positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2024
    Assignee: Magna Mirrors of America, Inc.
    Inventors: Darin J. Snider, Peggy L. Gustafson, Troy F. Tooker
  • Patent number: 11938793
    Abstract: A vehicular slider window assembly includes at least one fixed window panel having an opening, and upper and lower rails fixedly disposed at the at least one fixed window panel. A movable window panel is movable along the rails between a closed position and an opened position. A perimeter seal is disposed at a surface of the fixed window panel, with the perimeter seal providing a continuous sealing element that circumscribes the opening and that is configured to seal against a surface of the movable window panel when the movable window panel is closed. The perimeter seal includes elongated sealing portions having respective elongated sealing lips disposed along respective base portions. The perimeter seal is formed via a multi-shot injection molding process, with the base portions formed via a first shot injection molding process and the sealing lips formed along the base portions via a second shot injection molding process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2024
    Assignees: Magna Mirrors of America, Inc., Global Supply Innovative Engineering, LLC
    Inventors: Darin J. Snider, David K. Johnson, Shawn O'Neill, Randall Leach
  • Patent number: 11932169
    Abstract: A vehicular exterior rearview mirror control system is configured to attach at a side of a vehicle and includes a mirror assembly having a variable reflectance mirror reflective element. The vehicular rearview mirror control system processes image data captured by a rear backup camera of the vehicle. The rearview mirror control system, via processing a first subset of image data captured by the rear backup camera, determines ambient light rearward of the vehicle. The rearview mirror control system, via processing a second subset of received image data captured by the rear backup camera, determines glare light emanating from a headlight of another vehicle following the equipped vehicle. The first subset of captured image data is different than the second subset of captured image data. A door module unit of the vehicle controls dimming of the variable reflectance mirror reflective element based at least in part on the determined glare light.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2023
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2024
    Assignee: Magna Mirrors of America, Inc.
    Inventors: John T. Uken, Darryl P. De Wind, Gregory A. Huizen, Rodney K. Blank
  • Patent number: 11912110
    Abstract: A vehicular slider window assembly includes a movable window panel that is movable along rails at an opening of a fixed window panel. A perimeter seal is disposed at a surface of the fixed window panel and circumscribes the opening and is configured to seal against a surface of the movable window panel when the movable window panel is in a closed position. The perimeter seal includes elongated sealing portions joined at respective corner regions, with adjacent end regions of attachment elements of the sealing portions being spaced from one another at the respective corner regions such that there is a gap between the adjacent end regions. With the attachment elements attached at the surface of the fixed window panel, a sealant is dispensed into the gaps via passageways to seal the corner regions of the perimeter seal at the fixed window panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2024
    Assignee: Magna Mirrors of America, Inc.
    Inventors: Darin J. Snider, David L. Guillozet, David G. Douma, Dino D. Zambelli
  • Patent number: 11912201
    Abstract: A vehicular exterior rearview mirror assembly includes a dual mode illumination module having a first light emitting diode (LED) operable to emit visible white light when electrically powered and a second LED operable to emit non-visible light when electrically powered. The first LED, when the vehicle is parked and the first LED is electrically powered, emits visible white light to provide visible ground illumination at a ground region at least partially along the side portion of the vehicle. Visible ground illumination by the vehicular exterior rearview mirror assembly at the ground region is locked-out during movement of the vehicle. The second LED, when the second LED is electrically powered, emits non-visible light to provide non-visible illumination for a camera viewing exterior and at least sideward of the vehicle. Non-visible light emission by the second LED is not locked-out during movement of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2024
    Assignee: Magna Mirrors of America, Inc.
    Inventors: Gregory A. Huizen, Eric Peterson
  • Patent number: 11912204
    Abstract: A vehicular imaging system includes a camera device disposed at an exterior portion of a vehicle. The camera device includes a pivotable arm that accommodates a camera. The pivotable arm is pivotally mounted at a mounting base at the vehicle and is pivotable between at least a drive position and a folded position. An actuator includes a pivot post structure attached to the mounting base and an output gear disposed at the pivot post structure, the actuator operable to pivot the pivotable arm about the output gear. The actuator includes a primary detent that is engaged to maintain the pivotable arm at the drive position when the pivotable arm is pivoted to the drive position. The actuator includes a secondary detent that is disengaged when the pivotable arm is manually pivoted between the folded position and the drive position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2024
    Assignee: Magna Mirrors of America, Inc.
    Inventors: Kenneth C. Peterson, Anthony J. LaCross, Mitchell J. Wesley
  • Patent number: 11904762
    Abstract: A vehicular exterior rearview mirror assembly includes a mirror reflective element and an illumination module that includes a freeformed lens optic and a circuit board with an illumination source disposed thereat. With the vehicular exterior rearview mirror assembly mounted at a side of a vehicle, light emitted by the illumination source passes through the freeformed lens optic and provides ground lighting that illuminates a ground region located at the side of the vehicle. The ground lighting includes (a) ground illumination of the illuminated ground region and (b) within the ground illumination of the illuminated ground region, a logo formed by the freeformed lens optic. The logo formed by the freeformed lens optic has a light intensity greater than any light intensity of the ground illumination of the illuminated ground region. The illumination module is snap-attached at a portion of the vehicular exterior rearview mirror assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2023
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2024
    Assignee: MAGNA MIRRORS OF AMERICA, INC.
    Inventors: Justin E. Sobecki, Jake Mohan
  • Patent number: 11904773
    Abstract: A method for assembling a mirror reflective element sub-assembly for a vehicular exterior rearview mirror assembly includes assembling an indicator module by heat staking a printed circuit board at a receiving part of a housing to form a housing and printed circuit board assembly and dispensing potting material at the printed circuit board to seal the printed circuit board at the housing and aligning and taping a diffuser at the housing. A back plate is provided that has an indicator attaching portion for attaching the indicator module. The back plate is placed at a support fixture and a mirror reflective element is attached at the back plate. The indicator module is attached at the indicator attaching portion of the back plate. Light emitted by the indicator module, when electrically powered to emit light, passes through the mirror reflective element at an aperture of the back plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2023
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2024
    Assignee: Magna Mirrors of America, Inc.
    Inventors: Kenneth C. Peterson, Matthew S. Van Oeveren, Jeffrey R. Westbrook
  • Patent number: 11890991
    Abstract: A vehicular exterior rearview mirror assembly includes a mirror reflective element sub-assembly having a mirror reflective element, a mirror reflector coating, a mirror back plate, and indicator element. The indicator element includes a circuit board and a light source. The indicator element includes a diffuser that diffuses light emitted by the light source. An icon is established through a metallic reflector coating disposed at the glass substrate. The icon includes a light-transmitting aperture. With the vehicular exterior rearview mirror assembly attached at the vehicle, and when the light source is activated, light emitted by the light source passes through a light-transmitting portion of a heater pad and through the light-transmitting aperture of the icon. With the vehicular exterior rearview mirror assembly attached at the vehicle and when the light source is activated, the icon is illuminated and is viewable by the driver of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2023
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2024
    Assignee: MAGNA MIRRORS OF AMERICA, INC.
    Inventors: Keith D. Foote, Niall R. Lynam
  • Patent number: 11890990
    Abstract: A vehicular interior rearview mirror assembly includes a mirror head accommodating an interior mirror reflective element. The mirror reflective element has a mirror transflector that transmits near infrared light incident thereon, transmits visible light incident thereon and reflects visible light incident thereon. A camera is disposed within the mirror head and views through the mirror transflector. The camera includes an imaging sensor having a quantum efficiency (QE) of at least 15% for near infrared light having a wavelength of 940 nm. First, second and third near infrared illumination sources are disposed within the mirror head and operable to emit near infrared light that passes through the mirror transflector. The near infrared illumination sources are at respective locations at the mirror reflective element and, when powered, illuminate respective seat regions for a driver-monitoring function or an occupant-detection function.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2023
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2024
    Assignee: Magna Mirrors of America, Inc.
    Inventors: Gregory A. Huizen, Justin E. Sobecki, Austen C. Peterson, Ian A McCabe, Rodney K. Blank, Niall R. Lynam
  • Patent number: 11885158
    Abstract: A vehicular door actuation system for a door of a vehicle includes a handle assembly, a latch and an actuator. The handle assembly includes a handle portion and a base portion. The base portion is disposed at the door of the vehicle and the handle portion is movable between a recessed position, where the handle portion nests at least partially in the base portion, and a ready position, where the handle portion extends from the base portion. The actuator is disposed at the door of the vehicle separate and remote from the handle assembly. A handle linkage operatively couples operation of the actuator to the handle portion to move the handle portion from the recessed position to the ready position. The latch mechanism latches the door in a closed state, and unlatches the door responsive to a user pulling the handle portion from the ready position to open the door.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2024
    Assignee: Magna Mirrors of America, Inc.
    Inventors: Francesco Cumbo, Franco Ottino
  • Patent number: 11884216
    Abstract: A vehicular display system includes an electronic control unit (ECU), a plurality of cameras including a driver-side rear corner camera and a passenger-side rear corner camera disposed at respective driver-side and passenger-side rear corner regions of the vehicle. The ECU includes an image processor operable to process image data captured by any of the plurality of cameras and generate video images. A video mirror display screen is disposed at an interior rearview mirror assembly of the vehicle and is operable to display video images provided by the ECU. Responsive to a triggering event, the ECU, via processing of image data captured by at least one of the driver-side and passenger-side rear corner cameras, generates cross-traffic view video images and provides the cross-traffic view video images to the video mirror display screen. The cross-traffic view video images are displayed in a split-screen format at the video mirror display screen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2024
    Assignee: Magna Mirrors of America, Inc.
    Inventors: Nathan J. Pastoor, Peter J. Spencley, Jr.
  • Patent number: 11889171
    Abstract: A vehicular camera module includes a housing, a camera disposed in the housing, and a transparent cover mounted at the housing. The camera views through the transparent cover. A wiper element is movable relative to the transparent cover to clean the transparent cover. The wiper element is moved via operation of a hydraulic actuator. With the vehicular camera module mounted at an exterior portion of a vehicle, the camera views through the transparent cover in order to capture image data of a scene exterior of the vehicle. With the vehicular camera module mounted at the exterior portion of the vehicle, the hydraulic actuator operates via pressurized fluid supplied to hydraulic actuator to move the wiper element back and forth across the transparent cover to clean the transparent cover of the vehicular camera module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2024
    Assignee: Magna Mirrors of America, Inc.
    Inventor: Timothy W. Condron