Patents Assigned to Fico Mirrors, S.A.
  • Publication number: 20140340921
    Abstract: An outer housing with a cover having a PVD coating; a lens; and an illumination device such as LEDs, light guides, light emitting surfaces and/or blinkers. The lens has a first area internal to the cover, and a second, transparent area extending to one side of the outer housing. The cover has a first cover element external to the lens and of a nature such that the illumination device is visible from the exterior when it is on and not visible from the exterior when it is off. The cover has a substantially opaque second cover element having an overlapping portion between the first area of the lens and the first cover element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 16, 2014
    Publication date: November 20, 2014
    Applicant: FICO MIRRORS, S.A.
    Inventors: SERGIO HELLIN NAVARRO, NESTOR RUIZ ORTEGA, MARIA LUISA NOVELLA, CARLES MONTERO FOIX, JOSEP PUJADAS BELTRAN, ROBERT LOPEZ GALERA, JOSE MANUEL ESPINOSA
  • Patent number: 8882315
    Abstract: External rear-view mirror assembly comprising a housing (1), a circuit board (3) supporting a plurality of LEDs LED-1, LED-2, an opaque cover (5) arranged in front of the circuit board (3) and provided with a plurality of through holes (5a), said cover having a shape adapted to the front external surface (1a) of the rear-mirror (1), which comprises at least a prism (6) with a first surface (6a) in contact with at least a LED 4, and a second surface (6b) fitting within at least one of said holes (5a) and aligned with the front external surface (5b) of the cover (5), said second surface (6b) being a Fresnel lens adapted to direct the light coming from said LED 4 in a predetermined direction D.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2014
    Assignee: Fico Mirrors, S.A.
    Inventors: Juan Nestor Ruiz Ortega, Maria Luisa Novella Requena
  • Publication number: 20140090946
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a clutch mechanism preferably used in a vehicle door mirror with a high durability and which allows reaching, in a fast and simple way, a preset compression level owing to the existence of two limiting surfaces
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 2, 2013
    Publication date: April 3, 2014
    Applicant: FICO MIRRORS, S.A.
    Inventor: Moisés CABALLERO TAPIA
  • 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
  • Publication number: 20120275044
    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: Application
    Filed: April 12, 2012
    Publication date: November 1, 2012
    Applicant: FICO MIRRORS, S.A.
    Inventor: Moisés CABALLERO TAPIA
  • Publication number: 20120165622
    Abstract: A method for determining at least one physiological parameter of a driver, pilot or transport of defence vehicle or system operator, comprising: a) injecting or inducing current into said individual; b) measuring in said individual an electrical parameter indicating their impedance, comprising: b1) measuring the electrical parameter with at least two pairs of injector-detector electrodes; b2) determining the impedance signal from the electrical parameter measured; b3) from amongst the impedance signals determined, identifying those with a physiological origin; and b4) selecting the pair of electrodes that produce the best quality impedance signal; and c) obtaining said physiological parameter from the best quality impedance signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 26, 2011
    Publication date: June 28, 2012
    Applicant: FICO MIRRORS, S.A.
    Inventors: Noelia RODRÍGUEZ IBÁÑEZ, Mireya FERNÁNDEZ CHIMENO, Juan José RAMOS CASTRO, Miguel Angel GARCIA GONZÁLEZ, Eduard MONTSENY MASIP, Daniel BANDE MARTINEZ
  • Patent number: 8075146
    Abstract: A fixing device for position regulating mechanisms for external rear-view mirrors for motor vehicles, applicable to external rear-view mirrors of the type which are comprised of a support (1), attached to which is a housing (6) which encases or is part of the aforementioned position regulating mechanism (2), to which a mirror support plate is affixed, it being possible to operate the same, manually or electrically, from the interior of the vehicle. The support (1) comprises elastic pressure exertion means (4) comprising a portion of the base (5) arranged on the support (1) and are provided with at least one tab (7), which pressure exertion means (4) are intended to withstand the pressure of the housing of the regulating mechanism when the latter is attached to the support by means of the fixing means, said pressure means being elastically distorted in such a way that they exert an effort force on the housing against the fixing means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2011
    Assignee: Fico Mirrors, S.A.
    Inventor: Jose Mendoza Vicioso
  • Patent number: 8044789
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method and system for improving the monitoring of the external environment of a motor vehicle. According to the invention, the vehicle comprises a built-in system for detecting objects with which it is likely to collide, within a monitored area covering a blind spot, comprising a capturing device for acquiring images that are representative of one or more objects located within said area and an electronic system for processing and analysing input signals. The inventive method comprises the automatic activation of an infrared light source in the direction of the monitored area when the images acquired cannot be processed and analysed in order to provide a result that would reliably detect a determined object and the automatic deactivation of said infrared light source when the acquired images produce the correct result without the need for infrared light. In addition, the system comprises a model with an infrared light source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2011
    Assignee: Fico Mirrors, S.A.
    Inventors: Francesc Daura Luna, Lorenzo Servera Serapio
  • Patent number: 7690823
    Abstract: Comprises in combination: at least one light source; a support plate for the light source, which is at least one; a protective cover that permits the light emitted by the light source to reach the outside; at least one wall which, in combination with the cover, forms a casing to hold the said light source, in which at least the said support plate has a black coloured surface facing the said cover; and in which the position of said light source, which is at least one, in relation to the casing, is such that it emits the light directly to the exterior.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2010
    Assignee: FICO Mirrors, S.A.
    Inventors: Santiago Miguel Sanz, Daniel Bande Martinez, Maria Luisa Novella Requena
  • Publication number: 20090244743
    Abstract: A fixing device for position regulating mechanisms for external rear-view mirrors for motor vehicles, applicable to external rear-view mirrors of the type which are comprised of a support (1), attached to which is a housing (6) which encases or is part of the aforementioned position regulating mechanism (2), to which a mirror support plate is affixed, it being possible to operate the same, manually or electrically, from the interior of the vehicle. The support (1) comprises elastic pressure exertion means (4) comprising a portion of the base (5) arranged on the support (1) and are provided with at least one tab (7), which pressure exertion means (4) are intended to withstand the pressure of the housing of the regulating mechanism when the latter is attached to the support by means of the fixing means, said pressure means being elastically distorted in such a way that they exert an effort force on the housing against the fixing means.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 30, 2007
    Publication date: October 1, 2009
    Applicant: FICO Mirrors, S.A.
    Inventor: Jose Mendoza Vicioso
  • Patent number: 7572018
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a folding mechanism for exterior rear-view mirrors in an automotive vehicle, comprising a housing integral with a mirror-carrying casing, and an actuated ring acting as an axis of rotation of the mentioned casing with respect to a support chassis fixed to the vehicle, the ring being provided with first positional fixing means susceptible to coupling the mentioned ring to the support chassis and with second positional fixing means which, in collaboration with a stop element integral with the housing and loaded by un elastic member, limit the rotation of the mentioned casing around the ring and according to one rotating direction, all this with the stop element and the elastic member being integrated in a single piece with elastic properties.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2009
    Assignee: Fico Mirrors, S.A.
    Inventors: Jorge Errando Smet, Santiago Miguel Sanz, Angel Perez Trujillo
  • Publication number: 20090147388
    Abstract: The invention relates to a vehicle exterior rear-view mirror including a casing or chassis with a neck to which an adaptor is mated. The adaptor has an abutment surface adapted to abut against a support sheet element associated to an outer panel of the vehicle. The support sheet element has an opening aligned with respective passages of the casing and the adaptor, respectively. A coupling stem is installed through the passages with the possibility of rotation and axial movement. Anchor configurations are formed at a lower end of the stem, the configurations engaging portions of the lower face of the support sheet element adjacent to the opening. An elastic element is arranged between the casing and the stem to push the stem inwards the casing or chassis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 22, 2007
    Publication date: June 11, 2009
    Applicant: FICO Mirrors, S.A.
    Inventor: Jose Mendoza
  • Patent number: 7489234
    Abstract: A system and method for the magnetic detection of the presence of objects in a blind angle of an automobile vehicle is disclosed. The system includes a first detector of distortion of the earth's magnetic field caused by the entry of a ferromagnetic object into a blind angle, a second, a third and possibly a fourth detector of magnetic distortion deriving from the vehicle's trajectory, inclination and/or vibration and magnetic fields generated inside the actual vehicle, respectively, all associated with an electronic circuit. The method includes employing the proposed system to, through the generation of a table relating trajectory, inclination and/or vibrations or magnetic fields generated inside the vehicle with a corresponding distortion of the magnetic filed due to the specific circumstances, neutralize the effects of the possible magnetic distortion on the detection of the object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2009
    Assignee: Fico Mirrors, S.A.
    Inventors: Llorenç Servera Serapio, Francesc Daura Luna
  • Patent number: 7463166
    Abstract: The invention relates to a system for controlling the operation of presence-detection devices and to the implementation method thereof. The inventive system comprises: external presence detection means which are used to detect objects entering a determined surveillance area outside a motor vehicle and which are powered by a power source, an electronic system, and means which are used to detect the state of a closure device belonging to a door of said vehicle and which are associated with and co-operate with the electronic system in order to control the power source. Optionally, internal presence detection means and inclination detection means, which are included in the system, can be taken into account when said control operation is being performed. The inventive system also varies the surveillance area and adapts same as a function of the inclination of the vehicle in relation to the ground plane. The invention also relates to a method which uses the inventive control system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2008
    Assignee: Fico Mirrors, S.A.
    Inventors: Carlos Segura Gordillo, Francesc Daura Luna, Eduard Mundet Tarrago
  • Patent number: 7378947
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device for the active monitoring of the safety perimeter of a motor vehicle, which is used to detect moving objects or static obstacles inside said safety perimeter. The inventive device includes a first sensor which covers a first detection zone comprising at least part of a blind angle of the vehicle and which sends input signals to an information-processing device which generates output signals for means used to alert the driver. Moreover, the device also includes at least one second sensor which covers a second detection zone and which forms one unit with the aforementioned first sensor. According to the invention, the first and second sensors co-operate in order to cover a combined detection zone containing the blind angle, which is increased in relation to the zone covered by the first sensor and which forms a section of the safety perimeter. The above-mentioned unit comprising the first and at least one second sensor use the same alarm means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2008
    Assignee: Fico Mirrors, S.A.
    Inventors: Francesc Daura Luna, Daniel Bande Martinez, Andrea Saccagno
  • Publication number: 20070285936
    Abstract: The invention relates to an outside rear-view mirror for a vehicle. The invention comprises at least one mirror that is surrounded by at least one mirror casing which is supported in a frame that is articulated to a base member which is designed to be fixed to the vehicle. According to the invention, the mirror can be seen by the occupant of the vehicle, such as to provide same with a directly-reflected image which forms a direct field of vision. The aforementioned base member comprises a first cover segment which can be joined to the first cover segment, said assembly forming a casing comprising an opening in which an image detector device is disposed. The image detector captures an image outside of the direct field of vision through the opening, which can be transmitted to the driver.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 21, 2005
    Publication date: December 13, 2007
    Applicant: FICO MIRRORS, S.A.
    Inventor: Andrea Saccagno Becacci
  • Patent number: 7125127
    Abstract: An outside rearview mirror flexing mechanism, which is capable of moving the outside rearview mirror between a flexed position and an extended position and vice versa, and which is of the type comprising an electric motor, a mechanical transmission and an electronic control circuit. The flexing mechanism is capable of attaining an activated state by being connected to an electrical power source, and it is capable of being in a locked position and in an unlocked position. The flexing mechanism is provided with a position detector which is capable of detecting the locked position and the unlocked position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2006
    Assignee: Fico Mirrors, S.A.
    Inventors: Francesc Daura Luna, Oriol Rovira Vera, Llorenc Servera Serapio
  • Patent number: 7049946
    Abstract: A device for detecting the presence of objects in a vehicle's blind spot. The invention relates to a device for detecting the presence of objects in a vehicle's blind spot, where the objects contain at least one ferromagnetic material whereby they distort the earth's magnetic field. The device is mounted on a vehicle that has at least one blind spot. The detection device can detect the object located in the blind spot because it is provided with a unit for detecting the distortion of the earth's magnetic field caused by the object. Preferably it includes a logical circuit with neural nets for processing the signals received from the sensors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2006
    Assignee: Fico Mirrors, S.A.
    Inventors: Francesc Daura Luna, Lluís Martinez Garcia
  • Publication number: 20050168855
    Abstract: It comprises a swivel pin (1) coaxially inserted through a holed element connected to the frame of said mirror, said swivel pin having at a first end (1a) a flange (4) and at a second end (1b) at least a retaining configuration (3) adapted for being fixed on a corresponding retaining configuration of a base connected to a vehicle, an elastic member being arranged between said flange (4) and a support of said holed element. Said elastic member comprises a hollow cylinder (5) of moulded plastic material arranged as a skirt, from the peripheral edge (4) towards said second end (1b) of the swivel pin (1), coaxially to it, said hollow cylinder (5) being provided with at least one opening (6) defining at least one helical strip (7) suitable to provide the hollow cylinder (5) with an elastic property.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 4, 2004
    Publication date: August 4, 2005
    Applicant: Fico Mirrors, S.A.
    Inventors: Philippe Fanelli, Cristophe Valade
  • Patent number: 6899439
    Abstract: The regulating mechanism comprises a base member (2), which can be coupled to the mounting (1), and a cover (3), in which a mirror mounting plate (31), provided with a mirror glass (35), is assembled. The mounting (1), and/or the cover (3), are provided with positioning means (9, 26; 37, 38; 42) of the mirror mounting plate (31), enabling said plate (31) to be positioned in any of the positions habitually used, either manually or through a mechanical or electrical control device. The base member (2) and the cover (3) or the base member (2) and the mirror mounting plate (31) have respective and complementary dampening means which comprise, in the base member (2), dampening means (32), and in the cover (3), or in the mirror mounting plate (31), a dampening extension (23).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2005
    Assignee: Fico Mirrors, S.A.
    Inventor: Jose Mendoza Vicioso