With Rotation Of Mirror About Perpendicular Axes Patents (Class 359/874)
  • Patent number: 11718232
    Abstract: A vehicular exterior rearview mirror assembly includes a mirror head adjustably mounted at a mounting arm via a link that pivotally attaches at one end to the mirror head and pivotally attaches at another end to the mounting arm. With the mounting arm attached at the side of a vehicle, the mirror head is adjustable relative to the mounting arm between a retracted position and an extended position. An adjustment mechanism is operable to adjust the mirror head relative to the mounting arm and includes an electrically operated motor that operates to pivotally adjust the link, which swings the mirror head along an arcuate path. When the motor is operated to pivotally adjust the link to adjust the mirror head relative to the mounting arm, an angle of the mirror head relative to the side of the vehicle at which the vehicular exterior rearview mirror assembly is attached is also adjusted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2023
    Assignee: MAGNA MIRRORS OF AMERICA, INC.
    Inventors: Kenneth C. Peterson, Matthew V. Steffes
  • Patent number: 11674845
    Abstract: A typical configuration of the angle adjustment mechanism according to the present invention is provided with a parabolic mirror, a housing accommodating a parabolic mirror, a screw including a head arranged outside the housing and a shaft engaged with the parabolic mirror through a hole formed in the housing, and a base portion in contact with both the housing and the parabolic mirror. A force is applied to an engaging portion of the parabolic mirror in a direction approaching the housing and a force is applied to a portion of the parabolic mirror in contact with the base portion in a direction away from the housing. The angle of the parabolic mirror with respect to the housing changes in accordance with the change in the length of a portion where the shaft and the parabolic mirror engage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2023
    Assignee: Shimadzu Corporation
    Inventor: Seiji Kojima
  • Patent number: 11405559
    Abstract: System and methods for live signal adjustment of a moveable camera are provided. In one embodiment, a method includes receiving a raw image associated with the moveable camera associated with a vehicle mirror. The method includes receiving a rotation input to change a position of a reflective surface of the vehicle mirror. The method includes identifying a first component of the second position of the reflective surface based on a first component sensor. The method includes identifying a second component of the second position of the reflective surface based on a second component sensor. The method includes determining cropping parameters based on a shape of the reflective surface, the first component, and the second component. The method includes generating an adjusted cropped image by cropping the raw image based on the cropping parameters. The method includes displaying the adjusted cropped image on a display in response to the rotation input.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2022
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Oscar A. Caraan, Troy A. Thompson, Jacob A. Rothschild
  • Patent number: 10738973
    Abstract: An optical orientation device includes a support structure; an optical element having an optical surface interacting with a laser beam; and a mechanism mounted on the support structure rotating the optical element around mutually perpendicular first and second fixed rotation axes. The mechanism includes a first rotary assembly articulated around a first mobile support axis, which is rotary and perpendicular relative to the first rotation axis. The first rotary assembly is coupled to the support structure to rotate around the first rotation axis, so the optical element rotates around the first rotation axis and the first mobile support axis. A second rotary assembly rotates around a second mobile support axis perpendicular to the first mobile support axis. The beam passes through a cavity around the first rotation axis, the cavity facing the optical element. First and second linear actuators rotate the first rotary assembly and the second rotary assembly, respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2020
    Assignee: FONDAZIONE ISTITUTO ITALIANO DI TECNOLOGIA
    Inventors: Darwin Caldwell, Leonardo De Mattos, Gianluca Pane
  • Patent number: 10670825
    Abstract: An apparatus includes a device mount configured to be coupled to a component. The apparatus also includes an inner hub coupled to the device mount by a first flexure, where the first flexure is configured to permit translational movement of the device mount within the inner hub along a first axis. The apparatus further includes an outer hub coupled to the inner hub by a second flexure, where the second flexure is configured to permit translational movement of the device mount and the inner hub within the outer hub along a second axis different from the first axis. The first and second flexures form a compound nested flexure. The outer hub is configured to be coupled to a support structure and to permit both (i) translational movement of the apparatus along a third axis different from the first and second axes and (ii) tip/tilt adjustment of the apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2020
    Assignee: Raytheon Company
    Inventors: Scott R. Foes, Ray McVey
  • Patent number: 10513223
    Abstract: In a door mirror device for a vehicle, an engaging ring that rotates together with a case is provided on an interior floor portion of the case. A restricting ring is provided at the upper side of the engaging ring and is urged toward the lower side by a coil spring. The restricting ring is movable to a side in an axial direction of a support shaft of a stand, but relative rotation of the restricting ring with respect to the support shaft is restricted. Therefore, in a state in which upper side protrusion portions of the engaging ring go out from restricting recess portions of the restricting ring, the restricting ring is moved toward the upper side. Consequently, movement of the case toward the upper side can be suppressed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 24, 2019
    Assignee: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOKAI-RIKA-DENKI-SEISAKUSHO
    Inventors: Kazuya Umino, Shigeki Yoshida
  • 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
  • Patent number: 10160384
    Abstract: A mirror actuator for a vehicle includes a housing and a cover disposed, when the mirror actuator is assembled, at an upper side of the housing. The cover has a cover rail formed therein. An adapter plate has a rotatable shaft which, when the mirror actuator is assembled, is seated on the cover rail and rotatable around a first axis of rotation. A pivot clip, when assembled to the cover, is rotatable around a second axis of rotation, surrounds the rotatable shaft, and affixes the adapter plate on the cover rail.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2018
    Assignees: HYUNDAI MOTOR COMPANY, KIA MOTORS CORPORATION, KDS Co., Ltd., S L Mirrortech Corporation
    Inventors: Hyun Sub Kim, Nak Kyoung Kong, Young Sub Oh, Jin Hee Lee, Seung Won Yang, Young Kook Cho
  • 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: 10046704
    Abstract: A fold rearview mirror assembly for a motor vehicle comprises a base member, a mirror head, and a motor component for rotating, through a drive means comprising a gear wheel assembly, the mirror housing relative to the base member between a mirror operative condition and a mirror folded condition, and vice versa. The gear wheel assembly comprises a first and second gear wheels coupled to each other through first coupling means. The first gear wheel engages a motor component through a second coupling means and the second gear wheel in turn engages the base member through a third coupling means. The first coupling means allow the first and second gear wheels to be rotated together in one direction, and allow the first gear wheel to be rotated relative to the second gear wheel in the reverse direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2018
    Assignee: FICO MIRRORS, S.A.U.
    Inventors: José Mendoza Vicioso, Juan Linares Casals
  • Patent number: 9919651
    Abstract: A sealing apparatus for a rear-view device, such as an interior or exterior mirror or camera, of a motor vehicle, which sealing apparatus can be arranged between a base part and a head part, which head part can be moved, in particular rotated, in relation to the base part from a home position to at least one fold-down position, comprising at least one sealing element, which can be or is fastened to the base part or to the head part and which can be or is arranged in a sealing arrangement, in which sealing arrangement the sealing element closes a gap between the base part and the head part while lying against the base part and against the head part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2018
    Assignee: SMR Patents S.á.r.l.
    Inventors: Peter Hein, Csaba Szilàgyi
  • Patent number: 9448268
    Abstract: A sensor assembly comprises a housing, a bushing, a contact post, and a sensor. The housing has a hollow interior and the bushing is disposed within the hollow interior of the housing at a distal end of the housing. The bushing has a hollow interior, and the contact post is configured to slide within the hollow interior of the bushing as a tip of the contact post comes into contact with a surface. The contact post has a partial bore and the sensor is configured to slide into the partial bore if necessary. The sensor is also configured to measure a distance between the bottom of the contact post and a tip of the sensor. The sensor may communicate the measurement to a data processor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2016
    Assignee: Balluff, Inc.
    Inventor: C. Wayne Clyburn
  • Patent number: 9242606
    Abstract: An exterior mirror assembly for a vehicle includes a mounting portion mountable at a side of a vehicle, a mirror head portion at the mounting portion, and an actuator. The mirror head portion includes a mirror casing and a reflective element at least partially housed at the mirror casing. The actuator is operable to impart pivotal movement of the reflective element mirror relative to the mirror casing to adjust a rearward field of view of a driver of the vehicle. The actuator includes a drive post that is pivotally attached at the reflective element. The actuator also includes a motor that rotatably drives a clutch device to adjust the drive post to adjust the reflective element relative to the mirror casing. The clutch device allows for manual adjustment of the reflective element and the drive post in a non-ratcheting manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2016
    Assignee: MAGNA MIRRORS OF AMERICA, INC.
    Inventor: Joseph R. Mambourg
  • Patent number: 9128277
    Abstract: The invention relates to a light modulator including a substrate having a surface and a modulation assembly coupled to the substrate that includes a modulation element and a first compliant beam. The first compliant beam includes a first segment that extend away from a first anchor and a second segment that extends back towards the first anchor. The length of the first segment is different than the length of the second segment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2015
    Assignee: Pixtronix, Inc.
    Inventors: Jasper Lodewyk Steyn, Timothy J. Brosnihan, Joyce H. Wu, Mark B. Andersson, Richard S. Payne, John J. Fijol, Roger W. Barton, Nesbitt W. Hagood, IV
  • Patent number: 9108573
    Abstract: An adjustment device for a carrier plate which can be pivoted about two mutually orthogonal axes and is configured to receive a motor vehicle mirror, includes one motor per axis for moving a non-rotatably and non-tiltably guided linear drive, which is in engagement via a socket with a joint ball on the carrier plate, and a funnel-shaped hub provided with a hollow shaft. A hollow spherical segment of the funnel-shaped hub engages, by spring tabs, in a depression in the form of a hollow spherical segment in the carrier plate, and a spherical segment of the carrier plate is axially elastically clamped in a hollow spherical segment of a housing for drive trains of the two linear drives, thereby locking the hollow shaft on the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2015
    Assignee: OECHSLER AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT
    Inventors: Joseph Bögelein, Gisela Fuchs, Jürgen Heinz, Axel Vogelhuber, Winfried Schmidt, Marco Wacker, Martin Ruttor
  • Patent number: 8876077
    Abstract: A spherical orienting device includes a base, first and second actuation shafts, an orientable device, an inner member, a middle member, and an outer member. The first and second actuation shafts are rotatably held by the base for rotary actuation about first and second actuation axes, respectively, which intersect orthogonally at a spherical center of rotation. The orientable device is supported by first and second revolute support joints which are disposed for rotation about an orientation axis of the orientable device and a support axis, respectively. The inner member is fixed to the first actuation shaft and linked to the second support joint. The middle member is inwardly linked to the first support joint and outwardly linked to a middle revolute joint disposed for rotation about a linkage axis. The outer member is fixed to the second actuation shaft and linked to the middle revolute joint.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2014
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventor: Patrick Maillard
  • Patent number: 8622559
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a mirror support used in a door mirror vehicle which provides stability and distributes the forces in an uniform way due to two gear knees which are attached to the first ends of two perpendicular arms, a first arm and a second arm setting up a cross and also relates to a device to adjust the orientation of a mirror comprising the clutch mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2014
    Assignee: Fico Mirrors, S.A.
    Inventor: Moises Caballero Tapia
  • Patent number: 8602575
    Abstract: An exterior mirror for mounting on a vehicle with a mirror base and a mirror head attached to the mirror base is suggested, whereby the mirroring element is rigidly connected to the housing of the mirror head. The mirror head and mirror base are rotatably connected to one another by means of a ball joint. The adjustment of the mirroring element is done by two bars, of which the length can be adjusted by actuators, which bars are arranged between the mirror head and mirror base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2013
    Assignee: SMR Patents S.a.r.l.
    Inventor: Raimund Negel
  • Patent number: 8456612
    Abstract: An exposure apparatus projects a pattern of an original onto a substrate by a projection optical system to expose the substrate, wherein the projection optical system includes a mirror assembly, and the mirror assembly includes a first mirror member which has a first reflecting surface and is configured to bend an optical axis of the projection optical system, a second mirror member which has a second reflecting surface and is configured to bend the optical axis, a supporting mechanism configured to support the first mirror member and the second mirror member, and the supporting mechanism is positioned to position the first mirror member and the second mirror member while a positional relationship between the first mirror member and the second mirror member is maintained.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2013
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Kyoichi Miyazaki, Kiyoshi Fukami
  • Patent number: 8246266
    Abstract: A first linkage component including a ball socket having a concave profiling and a second linkage component including a projection having a convex profiling received in the concave profiling of the ball socket. A sliding plate carried between the ball socket and projection having a convex profiling conforming to the concave profiling of the ball socket and a concave profiling conforming to the convex profiling of the projection. The convex profilings of the projection and sliding plate have a larger radius of curvature than the concave profilings of the sliding plate and the ball socket. A connecting rod connects the first linkage component, the second linkage component, and the sliding plate together. Wherein the larger radius of curvature of the convex profiling of the sliding plate and projection causes the projection and sliding plate to be further received in the ball socket after abrasive wear to prevent play between components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2012
    Assignee: Lang-Mekra North America, LLC
    Inventors: Heinrich Lang, Wolfgang Seiboth, Stefan Centmayer
  • 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
  • Patent number: 8174230
    Abstract: A switch section includes a common terminal connected to a terminal at one end of each of a pair of motors, a first terminal connected to a terminal at the other end of one of the motors and a second terminal connected to a terminal at the other end of the other of the motors, and three-contact switches each including one common contact and two switching contacts. In the switch section two switches corresponding to one direction selected from the up and down directions form a switch group, at least one switch corresponding to the other direction selected from the up and down directions is provided, two switches corresponding to one direction selected from the left and right directions form a switch group, and at least one switch corresponding to the other direction selected from the left and right directions is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2012
    Assignee: Alps Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Ryuji Ataka, Tomoaki Tsuchiya
  • Publication number: 20120075735
    Abstract: An exterior mirror for mounting on a vehicle with a mirror base and a mirror head attached to the mirror base is suggested, whereby the mirroring element is rigidly connected to the housing of the mirror head. The mirror head and mirror base are rotatably connected to one another by means of a ball joint. The adjustment of the mirroring element is done by two bars, of which the length can be adjusted by actuators, which bars are arranged between the mirror head and mirror base.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 23, 2011
    Publication date: March 29, 2012
    Applicant: SMR Patents S.a.r.l.
    Inventor: Raimund Negel
  • Patent number: 8143820
    Abstract: A motor control device operable to rotate a motor based on an actuated direction of an operation knob of an operation switch in a direction corresponding to the actuated direction has direction selector switches provided corresponding to respective actuated directions of the operation knob, and open/close elements provided between the direction selector switches and a power supply. Each of the open/close elements is turned on when a control current is supplied thereto. When the operation knob is actuated, the direction selector switch corresponding to the actuated direction is turned on, a control current is supplied from the power supply to the open/close element connected to the relevant switch, and the predetermined open/close element is turned on. A drive current that flows from the power supply into the motor through a current carrying path of the open/close element is controlled according to a ON/OFF status of each of the open/close elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2012
    Assignee: OMRON Corporation
    Inventor: Yoichi Sakuma
  • Patent number: 8127641
    Abstract: A device to adjust the orientation of a mirror of a motorcar includes a body to accommodate a first and a second electric motor and a first and a second gear driven by first and second motor respectively. Gear rods are formed as circular arc sections and the body accommodates means to resiliently press the first and second gear rod against the first and second gears, respectively, eliminating relative movement between the gearing of the gear rods and the gears in operation conditions. Each of the gears include a safety clutch, allowing the gears to slip in overload conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2012
    Assignee: SMR Patents S.a.r.l.
    Inventors: Juergen Tilg, Daniel Joseph Flynn
  • Patent number: 7992835
    Abstract: A kinematic optical mount comprising a frame supporting an optical element; a base member having first and second surfaces and providing magnetic attraction to seat the frame against first, second, and third point contacts. The kinematic optical mount further includes threaded yaw and pitch adjustment cavities extending through the base member from the first surface to the second surface, together with threaded yaw and pitch adjustment inserts that can be inserted into the yaw and pitch adjustment cavities from either the first or second surfaces of the base member enabling adjustment of two of the point contacts from the direction of the either the first or second surfaces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2011
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Mark A. Harland, Mark E. Bridges
  • Patent number: 7885743
    Abstract: An electric mirror control device provided with a proportionality constant conversion means for converting the proportionality constant of a detection output voltage to the angle of a mirror surface to be positive or negative. When an up-down sensor and a right-left sensor for detecting the angle of the mirror surface have a plurality of specifications, each of which has a different proportionality constant of the detection output voltage to the angle of the mirror surface, controller determines the specification of the angle sensors based on whether the proportionality constant of the detection output voltage output via the proportionality constant conversion means is positive or negative, and controls an up-down motor or a right-left motor in accordance with the determined specification stored in advance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2011
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoshiki Noro, Kenji Shioiri
  • Patent number: 7690800
    Abstract: A mirror angle controller is provided which includes a pivot plate (H) which is attached to a reverse side of a mirror (M), and an actuator (A) which holds the pivot plate (H), in which the actuator (A) includes a housing (A1), a rod (A3) which pushes and pulls the pivot plate (H), and a motor which provides driving force to the rod (A3), in which, a ringed holder (121) which is placed to surround the rod (A3) is formed in the housing (A1), and in which the pivot plate (H) includes a ringed sliding part (H31) which is contact with and arbitrarily slides on the holder (121), and an engaging part which is engaged with an end of the rod (A3) so as to securely hold the mirror (M).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2010
    Assignee: Murakami Corporation
    Inventors: Akira Fukai, Hisaya Suzuki
  • Patent number: 7585082
    Abstract: Disclosed are a mirror and an angle detection device that detects an inclined angle of a mirror surface of the mirror. A mirror includes a mirror surface, an actuator for swiveling the mirror surface, at least one magnet for changing its orientation by an angle according to a variation in an inclined angle of the mirror surface, and at least one signal output unit for outputting a signal according to the inclined angle, based on the orientation of the magnet. An angle detection device that detects an inclined angle of a mirror surface of a mirror includes at least one magnet for changing its orientation by an angle according to a variation in the inclined angle of the mirror surface, and at least one signal output unit for outputting a signal according to the inclined angle, based on the orientation of the magnet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2009
    Assignee: Murakami Corporation
    Inventor: Ayako Yamada
  • Publication number: 20090027790
    Abstract: A Newtonian telescope secondary mirror mount which includes means for attaching a Newtonian telescope secondary mirror to the secondary mirror mount. The attachment means will define a secondary mirror plane. The mount also includes first and second means for adjusting the angular alignment of the secondary mirror plane. The first adjustment means defines a first adjustment axis and the second adjustment means defines a second adjustment axis. In all embodiments both the first and second axes of angular orientation adjustment are substantially parallel to the secondary mirror plane. Methods of adjusting the angular alignment of a Newtonian telescope secondary mirror are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 28, 2008
    Publication date: January 29, 2009
    Inventor: Charles Howard Glatter
  • Publication number: 20090015956
    Abstract: Formation of a biaxial microelectromechanical system (MEMS) scanner can comprise, at least in part, providing a frame (11) having an aperture (14) formed therethrough, wherein the frame has a first pair of axially aligned flexures (12 and 13) about which the frame can selectively pivot. A scan mirror (41) can then be operably coupled to this frame by a second pair of axially aligned flexures (42 and 43). By one approach, this scan mirror is disposed co-extensive with but external to the aperture in the frame.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 10, 2007
    Publication date: January 15, 2009
    Applicant: MOTOROLA, INC.
    Inventor: Joshua LIU
  • Patent number: 7448589
    Abstract: A plurality of snap-fit fasteners is used to assemble a vehicular mirror assembly, such as attaching a tilt actuator to a mounting frame or the mounting frame to a mirror housing. The fasteners comprise a resilient mounting post having a bulb portion and an adjoining undercut or neck portion with a bore extending coaxially therethrough which is received in a mating aperture in a snap fit communication.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2008
    Assignee: Magna Mirrors of America, Inc.
    Inventors: Rex E. Blakeman, Don S. Rawlings
  • Patent number: 7445190
    Abstract: A mirror adjustment mechanism for adjusting a mirror housing including an actuator housing and a drive mechanism arranged in the actuator housing. The drive mechanism includes an electric motor including an output shaft; a drive train having an input part coupled to the output shaft; and an output part coupled to a driven part. The driven part is connected to an electrical circuit and is configured to be movable under a spring action relative to the actuator housing. The driving part controls the electric motor and includes a first contact part that cooperates with a second contact part fixedly arranged relative to the actuator housing. The driving part is movable between a first position in which the impedance between the first and second contact parts has a first value, and a second position in which the impedance between the first and second contact parts has a second value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2008
    Assignee: MCi (Mirror Controls International) Netherlands B.V.
    Inventor: Stefan Frits Brouwer
  • Patent number: 7374303
    Abstract: The present abstract refers to a patent for utility model covering an actuating mechanism belonging to the field of the components of outer rear-view mirrors, which received the arrangement to provide a better usage and manufacturing conditions, an arrangement being of the type comprising: a pair of electric micro-engines (10) provided with endless axes (11); a pair of annular gears (20) coupled with the respective endless axes; two elastic grips (30) incorporated into the gears; two threaded actuating pins (40), which pass through and remain coupled with the grips; a casing (50)-(60), which houses the engine and gear assembly, and the ends of the actuating pins projecting outwards; a middle articulation assembly (70), whose first portion is incorporated into the body (50) of the casing; a plate (80) for supporting the mirror bracket (1) whose rear face features a pair of grooves (81), with which the ends of the actuating pins (40) are articulately coupled; said supporting plate (80) being further provided wi
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2008
    Assignee: Metagal Industria E Comercio Ltda.
    Inventor: Affonso Roberto Sestokas
  • Patent number: 7370985
    Abstract: A motorized tilt actuator assembly comprises one or more threaded jack screws attached to a mirror glass case and traveling along one or more threaded actuator shafts with rotation of the motor. When a jack screw reaches its limit of travel, relative movement between the actuator shaft and the glass case can occur through a slip clutch mechanism during such time as the motor continues to operate. In one embodiment, the relative movement is accommodated by a spherical actuator head rotating in a compressively spring-biased socket. In another embodiment, the relative movement is accommodated by slippage along a friction surface interposed between the actuator shaft and the motor. Manual repositioning of the mirror can be accommodated by slippage of the jack screw threads past the actuator shaft threads, or by a coarse threaded interconnection of the jack screw and the actuator shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2008
    Inventors: Ian Boddy, Keith D. Foote
  • Patent number: 7354170
    Abstract: In a vehicular mirror device, one end part of an operating shaft disposed on a side opposite to a drive shaft relative to a fulcrum of a mirror holder is swivelably coupled to the mirror holder, and a detection rod of a sensor is coupled to the operating shaft, which is slidably inserted into a guide hole provided in a fixed support member, so that it detects a swing angle of the mirror holder according to an axial position of the operating shaft. The operating shaft is inserted into the guide hole while being supported on the support member so that it can swing around an axis perpendicular to a plane containing a straight line linking a part of the drive shaft that couples the drive shaft to the mirror holder, the fulcrum of the mirror holder, and a part of the operating shaft that couples the operating shaft to the mirror holder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2008
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Honda Lock
    Inventor: Kaoru Ishikawa
  • Patent number: 7334906
    Abstract: An outer-mirror tilting apparatus includes a holder base that fixes a main body of an outer mirror, a housing that is fitted to a bearing unit of the holder base, the housing having a pivot shaft supporting the holder base in a tiltable manner, a rod driving mechanism that includes a pair of driving rods and a driving unit, and a rod detecting mechanism that includes a pair of detecting rods and a detector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2008
    Assignee: Ichikoh Industries, Ltd.
    Inventor: Osamu Tsuyama
  • Publication number: 20080037150
    Abstract: A mount for an optical component is disclosed that provides the flexibility of independently adjusting the position and orientation of the optical component along and about one or more axes. In an exemplary embodiment, the mount includes a support element for supporting the optical component; one or more rotational adjustment elements for rotating said support element independently about one or more axes, respectively; and one or more linear adjustment elements for moving said support element independently along one or more axes. The adjustment elements may be manually adjustable and/or may be adjustable by an actuator. In the latter case, the actuator may be electronically controlled by a controller. The optical component may be a reflective, transmissive, or reflective/transmissive optical device, such as diffraction gratings, mirrors, beam splitters, and others.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 26, 2007
    Publication date: February 14, 2008
    Applicant: NEWPORT CORPORATION
    Inventors: Michael Heuser, Christopher Guerrero
  • Patent number: 7322710
    Abstract: A rearview mirror tilt actuator comprises a clutch assembly that selectively transfers torque from an actuator motor to one of at least two output shafts based upon the speed of the motor. One output shaft can pivot the mirror about a first axis of rotation; another output shaft can pivot the mirror about a second axis of rotation. One output shaft can pivot the mirror housing; the other output shaft can extend and retract the mirror housing. At a low speed, the clutch assembly is disengaged, thus only the first output shaft is activated. At a high speed, the clutch assembly is engaged, thus both output shafts are activated The mirror assembly described herein also has an improved mass configuration which allows for lower moments of inertia in the direction of mirror travel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2008
    Assignee: Magna Donnelly Mirrors North America L.L.C.
    Inventors: Keith D. Foote, Ian Boddy, Kris D. Brown, Kenneth C. Peterson, James A. Ruse
  • Patent number: 7320527
    Abstract: A vehicle mirror comprises: a mirror surface; an actuator 100 which tilts the mirror surface; a plate pivot 110, which changes its direction together with the mirror surface; a spring 112, which applies a resilient force to the plate pivot 110 in the direction substantially vertical to the mirror surface; a guide spring 114 which is fitted to the end of the spring 112 at the side far from the interlocking member; a semiconductor pressure sensor 116, which is in contact with the guide spring at substantially one point so as to detect a load loaded on the one point from the pressing member; and a signal outputting portion which outputs a signal depending upon the tilted angle of the mirror surface based on the force detected by the semiconductor pressure sensor 116.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2008
    Assignee: Murakami Corporation
    Inventors: Ayako Yamada, Hidenori Sato
  • Patent number: 7270432
    Abstract: A mirror (18) having a specular surface changeable in orientation using an actuator (16) is provided with an angle detection capability at reduced cost. A plate pivot (10) can change its orientation together with the specular surface so as to orient in a direction in which the specular surface is orienting. A slide block (20) is stressed toward the plate pivot (10) so that rotation of the plate pivot (10) causes the slide block (20) to move in a direction substantially perpendicular to the specular surface by an amount proportional to an amount of the rotation of the plate pivot (10). A magnet (26) moves in the direction of movement of the slide block (20) by an amount proportional to an amount of the movement of the slide block (20), and a magnetism sensing element (202) detects magnetism derived from the magnet (26) and outputs a signal corresponding to the amount of movement of the magnet (26).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2007
    Assignee: Murakami Corporation
    Inventors: Ayako Yamada, Hidenori Sato
  • Patent number: 7237917
    Abstract: A vehicle mirror comprises a mirror surface; a plate pivot 110 which tilts the mirror surface by tilting the plate pivot itself, a housing 120 which covers the plate pivot facing to the rear surface of the mirror surface across the plate pivot, which possesses a bottom portion substantially parallel to the plate pivot, and a curved side wall which is brought into contact with the side surface of the plate pivot to guide the side surface; an adjust nut 108 which is provided between the housing and the plate pivot, and which moves toward or backward to the rear surface of the pivot to tilt the plate pivot; a rotational variable resistor 118 which is provided between the housing and the plate pivot, and whose resistance value is varied depending on the rotation amount of a rotor that rotates depending upon the movement of the adjust nut; and a signal outputting portion 124, which outputs a signal corresponding to the titled angle of the mirror surface depending upon the resistance of the rotational variable r
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2007
    Assignee: Murakami Corporation
    Inventors: Ayako Yamada, Hidenori Sato
  • Patent number: 7237918
    Abstract: A vehicle mirror actuator includes an actuator housing, a first motor, and a second motor. The second motor is provided in the actuator housing and configured to adjust a mirror angle in a second direction of a mirror. The first motor is provided in the actuator housing between the second motor and the mirror and configured to adjust a mirror angle in a first direction of the mirror.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2007
    Assignee: Murakami Corporation
    Inventors: Akira Fukai, Fuminori Endoh
  • Patent number: 7137717
    Abstract: In an outer mirror device for a vehicle, an electrically-driven retracting unit, a mirror surface angle adjusting unit, a mirror surface angle detecting sensor, a foot lamp device, a heater, and an ECU which is a control device, which are respectively internal mechanisms, are disposed within a door mirror visor which covers a reverse surface side of a mirror and between the mirror and which a space is formed. A wire harness led into the door mirror visor is only two power source wires and three signal wires connected to the ECU. As compared with a structure in which the ECU is disposed outside of the door mirror visor, a number of wires can be greatly reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2006
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Tokai-Rika-Denki-Seisakusho
    Inventor: Masatsugu Ohashi
  • Patent number: 7129460
    Abstract: Electronic imaging apparatus includes a main mirror that rotates about two transverse axes to reflect light for an array of subimages through a lens to a correcting mirror that reflects the light to an image detector. The correcting mirror moves in translation and tilts to correct for loss of focus of the subimages. A method of generating high resolution images includes acquiring an array of subimages by moving the main mirror and correcting each subimage with the correcting mirror. A method of surveillance includes acquiring and storing an array of initial subimages, then acquiring new subimages, comparing the new subimages with the stored subimages, and storing changed subimages.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2006
    Inventors: Gaylord G. Olson, Michael A. Carr
  • Patent number: 7095546
    Abstract: The invention provides a micro-electro-mechanical-system (MEMS) mirror device, comprising: a mirror having a 2-dimensional rotational articulated hinge at a first end, and having a 1-dimensional rotational articulated hinge at a second end opposite the first end; a movable cantilever connected to the mirror through the 1-dimensional rotational articulated hinge; a support structure connected to the mirror through the 2-dimensional rotational articulated hinge and connected to the movable cantilever; whereby movement of said movable cantilever causes rotation of the mirror in a first axis of rotation, and the mirror is also rotatable about a second torsional axis of rotation perpendicular to said first axis of rotation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2006
    Assignee: Metconnex Canada Inc.
    Inventors: Mohiuddin Mala, Thomas Ducellier, Alan Hnatiw, David Peale
  • Patent number: 7025470
    Abstract: An improved mechanism for rotatable image taking device, the rotatable mirror set in front of a fixed image-taking device with angle of reflection controlling mechanism at the rear side of the mirror. The mechanism includes a fixed rod with universal joint at the center, a horizontal rotating rod with universal joint, and a vertical rotating rod with universal joint. There are also three universal joints situated at the center, upper or lower side, and left or right side of the back face of the mirror. The invention can reduce the total cost of the rotatable image-taking device and improve the speed of changing angles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2006
    Inventor: Chao-Hung Chang
  • Patent number: 7004594
    Abstract: First and second reciprocable members are arranged between a motor and a mirror and are selectively reciprocated by rotational force conducted from the motor to tilt the mirror. When the motor is rotated in a first rotational direction, the second reciprocable member is held stationary, and the first reciprocable member is reciprocated to tilt the mirror in a vertical direction. When the motor is rotated in a second rotational direction, which is opposite from the first rotational direction of the motor, the first reciprocable member is held stationary, and the second reciprocable member is reciprocated to tilt the mirror in a horizontal direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2006
    Assignee: ASMO Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Masaaki Shimizu, Kiyohide Terada
  • Patent number: 6994438
    Abstract: An optical component casing (40) that houses a plurality of optical components including a reflection mirror (424) and disposes the plurality of optical components on a planarly defined illumination optical axis (L1) has a holder (81) that holds the reflection mirror (424) and a housing main body (401) that houses the other optical components. A bulging portion (816) bulging in an out-plane direction of the reflection mirror (424) is formed on a side of the holder (81) opposite to the side on which the reflection mirror (424) is attached, the bulging portion (816) pivotally moving on the inner surface of the housing main body (401) to rotate the holder (81) relative to the housing main body (401), where a rotation center (P) of the holder (81) is substantially coincident with an intersecting point (Q) of the illumination optical axis (L1) and a reflection surface (424A) of the reflection mirror (424).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2006
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Taisuke Uehara, Tomiyoshi Ushiyama, Shohei Fujisawa, Hirotatsu Okubo
  • Patent number: 6939016
    Abstract: A mirror mounting assembly including a mirror support, a base portion, a pivoting joint between the support and the base portion allowing the support to pivot with respect to the base portion, a link extending between the support and the base portion, a first end of the link being held with respect to either the support or the base portion, an aperture provided in the support or the base portion into which the second end of the link locates, a tight sliding fit between the aperture and the link, the link moving through the aperture allowing the support to be adjusted with respect to the base portion, the fit being such that unwanted movement between the support and base portion is prevented during normal use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2005
    Assignee: Schefenacker Vision Systems Australia Pty Ltd.
    Inventors: Andrew Gordon Stuart Munyard, Garry Gordon Leslie Fineri