Patents Assigned to Ficosa North America Corporation
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Patent number: 11951908Abstract: In at least one embodiment, an exterior rearview winglet assembly for a vehicle is provided. The assembly includes an exterior shell, a base bracket, a first housing, a finisher, and a first electrical device. The exterior shell includes a first side orientated toward a front of the vehicle and a second side orientated toward a rear of the vehicle. The base bracket is positioned in the exterior shell to couple the exterior shell to the vehicle. The first housing is positioned in the exterior shell. The finisher is being attached to the first housing and extending from at least a portion of the exterior shell at the second side of the exterior shell. The first electrical device is directly attached to the first housing and the first electrical device is independent of attachment to the finisher.Type: GrantFiled: July 29, 2020Date of Patent: April 9, 2024Assignee: Ficosa North America CorporationInventors: Vishal Bhaskar, Ricardo Alberto Peña Garza, Bruno Lescroart, Gouthama Reddy Bondalapati
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Patent number: 11691568Abstract: A visual aid winglet for a vehicle includes a visual aid, a housing, a base, and an articulating structure. The housing is adapted to house the visual aid. The articulating structure is engaged between the base and the housing and is adapted to pivot the housing with respect to the base. The articulating structure includes a metallic biasing member and a damper for the absorption of vibration.Type: GrantFiled: August 14, 2020Date of Patent: July 4, 2023Assignee: FICOSA NORTH AMERICA CORPORATIONInventors: Robin Clinet, Bruno Lescroart
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Patent number: 11473672Abstract: A shift lever assembly includes a shift lever, a folding device, and a fold interlock device. The shift lever is adapted to move between park and gear positions. The shift lever includes a base structure and an arm pivotally engaged to the base structure about a first axis. The folding device is adapted to pivotally move the arm with respect to the base structure about the first axis and between deployed and stowed states. The fold interlock device is adapted to move between locked and released positions, and includes a locking member adapted to abut the arm in a circumferential direction with respect to the first axis when in the locked position to prevent movement from the deployed state to the stowed state, and to circumferentially clear the arm when in the released position to enable actuation of the folding device from the deployed state to the stowed state.Type: GrantFiled: December 17, 2020Date of Patent: October 18, 2022Assignee: FICOSA NORTH AMERICA CORPORATIONInventors: Daniel Abad García, Carlos López Rodríguez
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Patent number: 11434991Abstract: A shift-by-wire (SBW) column shifter for a vehicle includes a shift lever configured to be moved to shift gears. A shaft enables the shift lever to rotate the shaft about an axis. A lever detent is coupled to the shaft, enabling the shaft to rotate the lever detent about the axis. A rotatable magnet rotates as the lever detent rotates. A magnetic sensor senses the angular position of the lever detent due to the changes in magnetic characteristics of the magnet as it rotates. A processor can command an operating gear change based on the signal output from the magnet sensor.Type: GrantFiled: December 14, 2020Date of Patent: September 6, 2022Assignee: Ficosa North America CorporationInventors: Alejandro Mendoza-Vega, Javier Alvarez Rubio
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Patent number: 11333312Abstract: A vehicle lighting assembly may include a housing including a lower part, the lower part defining an opening; and a lighting device arranged within the housing and configured to emit light through the opening, the lighting device including at least one circuit board and a lens arranged on the circuit board, the lighting device further including a single overmolded encapsulate configured to encase the circuit board and at least a portion of the lens.Type: GrantFiled: March 12, 2020Date of Patent: May 17, 2022Assignee: FICOSA NORTH AMERICA CORPORATIONInventor: Sergio Hellin Navarro
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Publication number: 20210285614Abstract: A vehicle lighting assembly may include a housing including a lower part, the lower part defining an opening; and a lighting device arranged within the housing and configured to emit light through the opening, the lighting device including at least one circuit board and a lens arranged on the circuit board, the lighting device further including a single overmolded encapsulate configured to encase the circuit board and at least a portion of the lens.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 12, 2020Publication date: September 16, 2021Applicant: FICOSA NORTH AMERICA CORPORATIONInventor: Sergio HELLIN NAVARRO
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Patent number: 10962108Abstract: A shift-by-wire (SBW) column shifter for a vehicle includes a shift lever configured to be moved to shift gears. A shaft enables the shift lever to rotate the shaft about an axis. A lever detent is coupled to the shaft, enabling the shaft to rotate the lever detent about the axis. A slider magnet is constrained to move along a path, such as a linear path. The slider magnet has a groove that is engaged by a projection of the lever detent. Rotation of the lever detent about the axis is converted into movement of the slider magnet along the path via the engagement of the projection and the groove. A plurality of sensors are configured to output signals indicating a position of the slider magnet along the path to indicate a requested change in operating gear of the vehicle.Type: GrantFiled: October 1, 2018Date of Patent: March 30, 2021Assignee: Ficosa North America CorporationInventors: Alejandro Mendoza-Vega, Javier Alvarez Rubio
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Patent number: 10965011Abstract: A high frequency antenna carrier in vehicle roof cross member is provided. The antenna carrier is configured to extend width-wise across a vehicle roof to provide structural support for the vehicle roof. The antenna carrier has a lower surface, and a plurality of sidewalls that meet at a common upper flange that mates in a face-to-face relationship with the vehicle roof. The sidewalls may be provided with apertures to facilitate a strong signal passage to and from the high frequency antenna through the carrier. The lower surface of the antenna carrier may be provided with apertures that are aligned with the antennas to improve signal strength.Type: GrantFiled: August 14, 2019Date of Patent: March 30, 2021Assignee: Ficosa North America CorporationInventor: Bassel Elshaar
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Patent number: 10941852Abstract: A shift lever assembly includes a structural support, a shift lever, an autopark device, a folding device, and an interlock device. The shift lever includes a base structure and an arm. The base structure is pivotally engaged to the structural support about a first axis for movement between a park and gear positions. The arm is pivotally engaged to the base structure about a second axis for movement between deployed and stowed states. The autopark device is carried between the structural support and the base structure to effect movement between the park and gear positions. The folding device is carried between the arm and the base structure to effect movement between the deployed and stowed states. The interlock device is supported by the base structure, is adapted to operable interface between the autopark device and the arm, and is configured to move between locked and released positions.Type: GrantFiled: October 26, 2018Date of Patent: March 9, 2021Assignee: FICOSA NORTH AMERICA CORPORATIONInventors: Daniel Abad García, Carlos López Rodríguez
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Patent number: 10780819Abstract: A vehicle winglet (e.g., sideview mirror, camera or radar assembly, etc.) is provided with sequential illumination of light-emitting diodes (LEDs). A light guide is connected to and covers the LEDs. The light guide is made of a translucent material and is configured to guide light illuminated by the LEDs and transfer the light out of the light guide. The light guide includes a plurality of light guide towers extending therefrom. Each light guide tower is aligned with a respective one of the LEDs. In some embodiments, a plurality of collimators are provided, with each collimator aligned with a respective one of the LEDs and with a respective one of the light guide towers to redirect the light illuminated from the respective LED into the respective light guide tower.Type: GrantFiled: December 19, 2018Date of Patent: September 22, 2020Assignee: FICOSA NORTH AMERICA CORPORATIONInventor: Sergio Hellin_Navarro
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Patent number: 10738960Abstract: A vehicle lamp system, may include a lamp housing arranged within a vehicle winglet; and an optical assembly arranged within an optical housing and configured to project an image on a surface exterior to the vehicle from the winglet, the optical assembly having the optical housing configured to receive at least one interchangeable film configured to produce the image, the optical housing defining a slot configured to receive the film.Type: GrantFiled: July 9, 2019Date of Patent: August 11, 2020Assignee: FICOSA NORTH AMERICA CORPORATIONInventors: Sergio Hellin Navarro, Norbert Anthony Bikos
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Patent number: 10589683Abstract: An external side mirror is pivotable relative to a vehicle to which it is attached. The external side mirror includes an outer cover, and a housing bracket within the outer cover. The housing bracket is mounted or attached to the outer cover. A gasket is removably attached to the underside of the housing bracket. The gasket has a plurality of hooks that extend upwardly and attach to the housing bracket. Support ribs extending from the outer cover trap the hooks against the housing bracket. This allows the gasket to pivot along with the external side mirror relative to the vehicle to keep the gasket hidden from view even when the external side mirror is pivoted.Type: GrantFiled: December 21, 2017Date of Patent: March 17, 2020Assignee: FICOSA NORTH AMERICA CORPORATIONInventors: Christopher Bortolon, Nicholas Irwin
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Patent number: 10391929Abstract: A vehicle illumination system for illuminating a path to a vehicle may include a light mechanism arranged on the vehicle, at least one antenna configured to detect a unique device of an approaching user; and at least one controller. The controller may be configured to determine a user location based on the detected unique device, predict the path based at least in part on the user location, and instruct the light mechanism to illuminate an area along the path.Type: GrantFiled: August 20, 2018Date of Patent: August 27, 2019Assignee: Ficosa North America CorporationInventors: Patrick Aaron McNabb, Sergio Hellin Navarro, Nicholas Paul Schmidt
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Publication number: 20190024852Abstract: A light module for use with a vehicle includes a housing defining an internal volume and an outlet, a light source positioned within the internal volume and configured to emit light of a first color, a converter positioned between the light source and the outlet, and a lens coupled to the housing. The converter receives the light of the first color and is configured such that, after receiving the light of the first color, light of a second color different from the first color passes out of the converter. The converter is separated from the light source. The lens includes a first portion extending across the outlet and a second portion extending from the first portion toward the converter. The light of the second color passes through the second portion and the first portion and out of the light module.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 23, 2018Publication date: January 24, 2019Applicant: Ficosa North America CorporationInventors: Sergio Hellin Navarro, Nicholas Schmidt, Maria Luisa Novella
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Publication number: 20190023184Abstract: A side mirror assembly for a vehicle includes a housing defining an interior volume and a mirror aperture, primary and secondary mirrors coupled to the housing and extending across the mirror aperture, and a support coupled to the housing and at least one of the primary mirror and the secondary mirror. The primary mirror has a first outer surface, and the secondary mirror has a second outer surface. The primary mirror and the secondary mirror are reflective and provide different fields of view. The primary mirror and the secondary mirror are arranged such that the primary mirror is at least partially superimposed on the secondary mirror, thereby defining an overlapped area of the second outer surface. A visible reflective area of the first outer surface is a larger than a visible reflective area of the second outer surface.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 8, 2018Publication date: January 24, 2019Applicant: Ficosa North America CorporationInventors: Sergio Hellin Navarro, Vijay Thota, Ricardo Peña Garza, Nicholas Schmidt
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Patent number: 10030762Abstract: A gear selector assembly includes a shift gate including a plurality of gates, a gear selector movable between the plurality of gates and including a pawl, and a gate blocker positioned to restrictively interact with the pawl of the gear selector to selectively restrict movement of the gear selector through a first gate to a second gate. The gate blocker includes a biasing member configured to bias the gate blocker towards a nominal position. The gate blocker is configured to not restrictively interact with the pawl to allow the gear selector to move from the first gate to the second gate when the gate blocker is in the nominal position. Each gate of the shift gate is associated with a mode of operation of a vehicle.Type: GrantFiled: August 18, 2015Date of Patent: July 24, 2018Assignee: Ficosa North America CorporationInventors: Jeffrey Lee Jones, Vijay Thota, Javier Alvarez Rubio
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Publication number: 20180001823Abstract: A mirror assembly for a vehicle includes a housing configured to be coupled to the vehicle, a primary mirror assembly, and a secondary mirror assembly selectively repositionable independent of the primary mirror assembly. The primary mirror assembly includes a primary mirror configured to provide a reflection showing a primary field of view and a first base member coupled to the primary mirror and adjustably coupled to the housing. The secondary mirror assembly includes a secondary mirror configured to provide a reflection showing a secondary field of view and a second base member coupled to the secondary mirror. The second base member is pivotable about a point relative to the first base member such that the secondary mirror is adjustable relative to the primary mirror.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 29, 2017Publication date: January 4, 2018Applicant: Ficosa North America CorporationInventor: Vishal Bhaskar
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Publication number: 20170051824Abstract: A gear selector assembly includes a shift gate including a plurality of gates, a gear selector movable between the plurality of gates and including a pawl, and a gate blocker positioned to restrictively interact with the pawl of the gear selector to selectively restrict movement of the gear selector through a first gate to a second gate. The gate blocker includes a biasing member configured to bias the gate blocker towards a nominal position. The gate blocker is configured to not restrictively interact with the pawl to allow the gear selector to move from the first gate to the second gate when the gate blocker is in the nominal position. Each gate of the shift gate is associated with a mode of operation of a vehicle.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 18, 2015Publication date: February 23, 2017Applicant: FICOSA NORTH AMERICA CORPORATIONInventors: Jeffrey Lee Jones, Vijay Thota
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Patent number: 6911642Abstract: An object presence detection device, of the type mounted to a motor vehicle having at least one blind spot, where the detection device is for detecting an object situated in the blind spot, comprises: a receiver for detecting electromagnetic waves, comprising a focussing device, and a light detector converting said received electromagnetic waves into electrical signals; an electronic circuit converting the electrical signals into digitized signals; a logic circuit analyzing the digitized signals to analyze the presence of objects in the blind spot which are moving relative to the vehicle, and emitting variable output signals depending on the result of the analysis; indicator members activated by the output signals, suitable to be perceived by the driver.Type: GrantFiled: February 16, 2001Date of Patent: June 28, 2005Assignee: Ficosa North America CorporationInventors: Alvise Sartori, Giampietro Tecchiolli, Bruno Crespi, Jose Maria Tarrago Pujol, Francesc Daura Luna, Daniel Bande Martinez
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Patent number: 6768574Abstract: The invention discloses an electrochromic device of the type comprising at least one substrate and a structure of at least partly superimposed layers, where the structure comprises at least one layer of electrochromic material and a layer of electronic insulating transparent ion-conducting solid electrolytic material, and where at least one of these layers is nanostructured, i.e. has a nanostructure. Possible uses of these electrochromic devices are for controlling the energy of the electromagnetic waves reflected by the device or transmitted through the device, for example, a rear-view mirror or a motor vehicle window glass.Type: GrantFiled: January 6, 2003Date of Patent: July 27, 2004Assignee: Ficosa North America CorporationInventors: Enric Bertran Serra, Carles Person Millaruelo, Isidre Porqueras Orea, Gregorio Viera Marmol