Patents by Inventor Stefan Frits Brouwer

Stefan Frits Brouwer has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 10232778
    Abstract: Adjusting instrument for an exterior mirror of a motor vehicle, comprising a foot for attachment to a fixed element of the motor vehicle, and a housing adjustably connected with the foot, the housing being adjustable around a rotation axis extending through the adjusting instrument, while around the rotation axis a passage opening is provided for passing through a cable tree, the housing being provided with a slot along a height thereof which provides lateral access to the passage opening and the foot being provided with a slot along a height thereof which provides lateral access to the passage opening, the housing being furthermore adjustable relative to the foot into an assembly position in which the slot of the foot aligns with the slot of the housing to provide lateral access to the passage opening for laterally introducing a cable tree into the passage opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2019
    Assignee: MCi (Mirror Controls International) Netherlands B.V.
    Inventors: Stefan Frits Brouwer, Rudolf Pieter Hoogenboom, Peter Alexander Hamming
  • Patent number: 10227044
    Abstract: A movement mechanism comprising a substantially spherical holder and a substantially bowl-shaped ring, which are rotatable relative to each other about a first axis and a second axis enclosing an angle of approximately 90° to the first axis. Driving means are provided for enabling movement of the holder relative to the ring and comprise a first non-straight driving rod bearing-mounted in the holder, as well as means for activating the driving rod and a second non-straight driving rod bearing-mounted in the holder, as well as means for activating the driving rod. The first driving rod and the second driving rod are rotatable about a third and a fourth axis, respectively, which third and fourth axes are mutually parallel and lie in a plane equal or parallel to the top face of the holder and which third and fourth axes are parallel to or coincide with the first axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2019
    Assignee: MCi (Mirror Controls International) Netherlands B.V.
    Inventor: Stefan Frits Brouwer
  • Publication number: 20180272958
    Abstract: Image recording device provided with a fixed part for at least partial inclusion in and/or on the body of a motor vehicle, and a movable part which contains at least one optical element, the optical element comprising at least one optical sensor and/or a lens unit, and an adjustment device provided with a power source, for adjusting the movable part between a first position and a second position, wherein during use in the first position the movable part is wholly or partly included in the body, and in the second position the movable part extends at an angle with respect to the body, such that at least the optical element carried by the movable part extends at least partly outside the body, wherein the movable part pivots from the second position about a, preferably substantially vertical, axis to the first position and vice versa.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 16, 2016
    Publication date: September 27, 2018
    Applicant: MCi (Mirror Controls International) Netherlands B. V.
    Inventors: Stefan Frits Brouwer, Rudolf Pieter Hoogenboom
  • Patent number: 10076999
    Abstract: A movement mechanism comprising a substantially spherical holder and a substantially bowl-shaped ring, which are rotatable relative to each other about a first axis and a second axis enclosing an angle of approximately 90° to the first axis. Driving means are provided for enabling movement of the holder relative to the ring and comprise a first non-straight driving rod bearing-mounted in the holder, as well as means for activating the driving rod and a second non-straight driving rod bearing-mounted in the holder, as well as means for activating the driving rod. The first driving rod and the second driving rod are rotatable about a third and a fourth axis, respectively, which third and fourth axes are mutually parallel and lie in a plane equal or parallel to the top face of the holder and which third and fourth axes are parallel to or coincide with the first axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2018
    Assignee: MCi (Mirror Controls International) Netherlands B.V.
    Inventor: Stefan Frits Brouwer
  • Patent number: 9975489
    Abstract: Wing mirror unit, drive construction, and rotation sensor The invention relates to a wing mirror unit (1) for a motor vehicle. The unit comprises a mirror housing support (3) for attachment to a body (4) of the motor vehicle (2). The wing mirror unit further comprises a mirror housing (5) supported by the mirror housing support and pivotably arranged with respect to said support around a rotation axis (6) extending substantially in an upward direction. Furthermore, the unit comprises a drive, preferably an electric drive, for pivoting the mirror housing between a folded-out position of the mirror housing, in which the mirror housing extends substantially in a direction (7) away from the body of the motor vehicle, and a folded-in position of the mirror housing, in which the mirror housing projects less far and extends in a substantially rearward direction more alongside the body of the motor vehicle, and/or for pivoting the mirror housing between the folded-in position and the folded-out position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2018
    Assignee: MCi (Mirror Controls International) Netherlands B.V.
    Inventor: Stefan Frits Brouwer
  • Patent number: 9975420
    Abstract: An adjustment device for adjusting an air inlet of a motor compartment of a motor vehicle between at least a first position in which the air inlet is substantially open and a second position in which the air inlet is substantially closed, comprising a drive unit for adjusting the air inlet between at least the first position and the second position, wherein the drive unit comprises a compound drive system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2018
    Assignee: MCi (Mirror Controls International) Netherlands B.V.
    Inventors: Stephen Alexander George Gustavo Boom, Erik Alfred Simeon de Vries, Stefan Frits Brouwer
  • Publication number: 20170313249
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device for the adjustment of a shell-shaped housing part, for example a mirror housing. The device, in particular a door mirror device, comprising a base part (2) on which a support frame (3) is provided by means of a first hinge construction (3, 20, 25, 30, 60). Furthermore, the device comprises a first actuator (4) with which the carrier frame is pivotable relative to the base portion to a part of a substantially upwardly extending first pivot axis (5) between a folded position, in which the supporting frame, for example, lying substantially along the body of a motor vehicle, and a unfolded position, in which the supporting frame, for example, is oriented substantially transversely to the body. With the aid of a second hinge construction (30, 35, 60, 63) a carrier (6), in particular for carrying a mirror surface, is disposed on the support frame.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 10, 2015
    Publication date: November 2, 2017
    Applicant: MCi (Mirror Controls International) Netherlands B.V.
    Inventors: Stefan Frits Brouwer, François Roderik Henri Bouaziz
  • Publication number: 20170240114
    Abstract: The invention relates to an actuator mechanism for adjusting at least one angular position of a mirror element in an exterior mirror device for a motor vehicle. The actuator mechanism comprises a base element and a mirror element movably coupled with the base element, which comprises a mirror support for supporting a mirror surface. The mirror element is rotatable relative to the base element about at least a first pivoting axis with the aid of a first electric motor provided in the actuator mechanism, which extends in a longitudinal direction that is substantially transverse to a supporting surface of the mirror support. What can be elegantly facilitated by this, for instance also in the case of a relatively small mirror surface that is only a few centimeters wide and/or is only a few centimeters long, is that, as seen from a direction in which during use the mirror surface is being viewed by a driver, such electric motor does not protrude, or hardly protrudes, next to, above and/or below the mirror surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 21, 2015
    Publication date: August 24, 2017
    Applicant: MCi (Mirror Controls International) Netherlands B.V.
    Inventors: Stefan Frits Brouwer, Paulus Gerardus Maria van Stiphout
  • Publication number: 20170240115
    Abstract: Adjusting instrument for an exterior mirror of a motor vehicle, comprising a foot for attachment to the fixed world, being the motor vehicle, and a housing adjustably connected with the foot, the housing being adjustable around a rotation axis extending through the adjusting instrument, while around the rotation axis a passage opening is provided for passing through a cable tree, the housing being provided with a slot along a height thereof which provides lateral access to the passage opening and the foot being provided with a slot along a height thereof which provides lateral access to the passage opening, the housing being furthermore adjustable relative to the foot into an assembly position in which the slot of the foot aligns with the slot of the housing to provide lateral access to the passage opening for laterally introducing a cable tree into the passage opening.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 21, 2015
    Publication date: August 24, 2017
    Applicant: MCi (Mirror Controls International) Netherlands B.V.
    Inventors: Stefan Frits Brouwer, Rudolf Pieter Hoogenboom, Peter Alexander Hamming
  • Publication number: 20170136950
    Abstract: Wing mirror unit, drive construction, and rotation sensor The invention relates to a wing mirror unit (1) for a motor vehicle. The unit comprises a mirror housing support (3) for attachment to a body (4) of the motor vehicle (2). The wing mirror unit further comprises a mirror housing (5) supported by the mirror housing support and pivotably arranged with respect to said support around a rotation axis (6) extending substantially in an upward direction. Furthermore, the unit comprises a drive, preferably an electric drive, for pivoting the mirror housing between a folded-out position of the mirror housing, in which the mirror housing extends substantially in a direction (7) away from the body of the motor vehicle, and a folded-in position of the mirror housing, in which the mirror housing projects less far and extends in a substantially rearward direction more alongside the body of the motor vehicle, and/or for pivoting the mirror housing between the folded-in position and the folded-out position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 13, 2015
    Publication date: May 18, 2017
    Inventor: Stefan Frits Brouwer
  • Publication number: 20160229343
    Abstract: An adjustable mirror (1) is provided with a mirror housing (1?) and a mirror foot (1?), coupled via a pivot (5) and a motor mirror adjustment device. The motor mirror adjustment device is provided with a housing (3) which includes a bearing part (3?); an electric motor (4); and a gear transmission for transmitting rotation of the electric motor to the pivot. The gear transmission is supported against the bearing part and includes drive elements such as gears and/or worms (6?) and/or worm gears (6), and an output gear (8) which is connected to the pivot. The gear transmission is provided with a resilient element (10) between one of the drive elements and the bearing part, or between the drive elements mutually, and is designed to generate a bias between the one of the drive elements and the bearing part.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 3, 2014
    Publication date: August 11, 2016
    Inventors: Sigrid Elizabeth van Leeuwen, Dennis Alexander Vervoorn, Marinus Roose, Marinus Jacobus Maria van Zuilen, Stefan Frits Brouwer
  • Publication number: 20160144789
    Abstract: A movement mechanism comprising a substantially spherical holder and a substantially bowl-shaped ring, which are rotatable relative to each other about a first axis and a second axis enclosing an angle of approximately 90° to the first axis. Driving means are provided for enabling movement of the holder relative to the ring and comprise a first non-straight driving rod bearing-mounted in the holder, as well as means for activating the driving rod and a second non-straight driving rod bearing-mounted in the holder, as well as means for activating the driving rod. The first driving rod and the second driving rod are rotatable about a third and a fourth axis, respectively, which third and fourth axes are mutually parallel and lie in a plane equal or parallel to the top face of the holder and which third and fourth axes are parallel to or coincide with the first axis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 1, 2016
    Publication date: May 26, 2016
    Inventor: Stefan Frits Brouwer
  • Publication number: 20160121796
    Abstract: A mirror adjustment unit for an exterior mirror (1) comprises a base frame (11) and a mirror support (9). The mirror support is rotatable relative to the base frame via an adjusting mechanism (14a, 14b) including a first and second electrically energizable driving device (15, 16) for rotating the mirror support relative to the base frame with respect to a first and a second axis, respectively. The second axis is perpendicular to the first axis. The first and second driving device have a first and second electrical connector (17, 18), respectively, arranged on the base frame, for electrical connection of the first and the second driving device, respectively, with an on board network (4) of a motor vehicle to which the base frame is connectable. The mirror adjustment unit further has a third connector (22, 23) for electrical connection of a view assist device (19) with the onboard network.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 16, 2014
    Publication date: May 5, 2016
    Inventor: Stefan Frits Brouwer
  • Publication number: 20160068106
    Abstract: A movement mechanism comprising a substantially spherical holder and a substantially bowl-shaped ring, which are rotatable relative to each other about a first axis and a second axis enclosing an angle of approximately 90° to the first axis. Driving means are provided for enabling movement of the holder relative to the ring and comprise a first non-straight driving rod bearing-mounted in the holder, as well as means for activating the driving rod and a second non-straight driving rod bearing-mounted in the holder, as well as means for activating the driving rod. The first driving rod and the second driving rod are rotatable about a third and a fourth axis, respectively, which third and fourth axes are mutually parallel and lie in a plane equal or parallel to the top face of the holder and which third and fourth axes are parallel to or coincide with the first axis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 3, 2013
    Publication date: March 10, 2016
    Inventor: Stefan Frits Brouwer
  • Publication number: 20160016461
    Abstract: Adjustment device for adjusting shutoff elements of an air inlet of a motor vehicle, wherein the shutoff elements are adjustable between an open position in which the air inlet is substantially open and a closed position in which the air inlet is substantially closed, includes a drive unit for adjusting the shutoff elements between at least the open position and the closed position, and a fail-safe mechanism which is arranged for adjusting the air inlet to a predefined position in case of a calamity situation. The adjustment device includes a blocking mechanism for blocking the operation of the fail-safe mechanism in predetermined situations, wherein in such predetermined situations the shutoff elements are adjustable to a predefined position without activation of the fail-safe mechanism.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 11, 2014
    Publication date: January 21, 2016
    Inventors: Erik Alfred Simeon de Vries, Stefan Frits Brouwer, Stephen Alexander George Gustavo Boom, Bastiaan Huijzers
  • Publication number: 20140342655
    Abstract: An adjustment device for adjusting an air inlet of a motor compartment of a motor vehicle between at least a first position in which the air inlet is substantially open and a second position in which the air inlet is substantially closed, comprising a drive unit for adjusting the air inlet between at least the first position and the second position, wherein the drive unit comprises a compound drive system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 20, 2012
    Publication date: November 20, 2014
    Applicant: MCi(Mirror Controls International) Netherlands B.V
    Inventors: Stephen Alexander George Gustavo Boom, Erik Alfred Simeon De Vries, Stefan Frits Brouwer
  • Patent number: 8534636
    Abstract: Mounting construction for mounting an adjustment instrument to a carrier for an outside mirror unit, comprising first mounting parts on the adjustment instrument and second mounting parts on the carrier, which mounting parts guide the adjustment instrument from a first position to a second position in a direction along the carrier, the mounting parts cooperating with each other in the second position to fix movement of the adjustment instrument relative to the carrier in a direction transverse to the carrier, while in the first position the adjustment instrument and the carrier are clear of each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2013
    Assignee: MCi (Mirror Controls International) Netherlands B.V.
    Inventors: Stefan Frits Brouwer, Paulus Gerardus Maria Van Stiphout
  • Patent number: 8201305
    Abstract: A hinge construction, suitable for a wing mirror unit for a motor vehicle, includes a first hinge part configured for mounting on the motor vehicle and a second hinge part, pivotably connected with the first hinge part via a base shaft. The second hinge part is configured to support a mirror support. In an embodiment, the base shaft is translatably connected with one of the hinge parts, the other hinge part is arranged pivotably about the base shaft, and the hinge parts cooperate via a track guide, which causes the hinge parts upon pivoting to rotate relative to each other, and a straight guide, which cases the hinge parts upon pivoting to translate relative to each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2012
    Assignee: MCi (Mirror Controls International) Netherlands B.V.
    Inventors: Stefan Frits Brouwer, Paulus Gerardus Maria van Stiphout
  • Patent number: 8201799
    Abstract: A composition comprising particles for damping vibrations performed by cooperating surfaces of a mirror adjustment mechanism relative to each other. The cooperating surfaces adjustably connect a mirror holder for supporting the mirror element with a base plate that can be fixedly mounted to a motor vehicle. In an embodiment, the particles positioned close to one of the surfaces are arranged to move to a lesser extent relative to that surface upon a high-frequency pivoting of the cooperating surfaces than particles that are further removed from that surface. A method for assembling a mirror adjustment mechanism for adjusting a mirror element of a mirror unit of a motor vehicle mirror and an adjustment mechanism for adjusting a mirror element of a mirror unit are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2012
    Assignee: MCi (Mirror Controls International) Netherlands B.V.
    Inventors: Stefan Frits Brouwer, Marius Brand, Rudolf Pieter Hoogenboom
  • Patent number: 8197077
    Abstract: A modular drive system, in particular for a driven angular adjustment of a rearview mirror support of a motor vehicle, comprising at least two drive modules, each provided with a housing with an electric motor and a drive portion driven by the electric motor, and a drivable portion for cooperation with a drive portion of another drive module, further comprising coupling means for attaching two drive modules to each other with one rotational degree of freedom by cooperation of a drive portion and a drivable portion, respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2012
    Assignee: MCI (Mirror Controls International) Netherlands B.V.
    Inventor: Stefan Frits Brouwer