Patents Assigned to Magna Mirrors of America, Inc.
  • Patent number: 11958414
    Abstract: A vehicular video mirror system includes a video display screen disposed in a mirror head. The system includes a vehicle-mounted rear backup camera and a trailer-mounted rearward viewing camera. The trailer-mounted camera includes an imaging array with a first subset of pixels representative of an upper rearward-view region of the field of view and a second subset of pixels that represents a lower rearward-view region of the field of view. With the trailer hitched to the vehicle and responsive to the vehicle being set for forward propulsion, the video display screen displays images derived from the first subset of pixels and not from the second subset of pixels. With the trailer hitched to the vehicle and responsive to the vehicle being set for rearward propulsion, the video display screen displays images derived from the second subset of pixels and not from the first subset of pixels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2024
    Assignee: Magna Mirrors of America, Inc.
    Inventors: Rodney K. Blank, Christopher R. Koetje, Patrick M. Foley, IV
  • Patent number: 11959311
    Abstract: A vehicular exterior door handle assembly includes a bracket, a handle, and a clip. The handle, with the bracket mounted at an exterior door handle region of a vehicular door, is movable relative to the bracket by a user to actuate a latch mechanism for opening the door. The clip is attached at the bracket and engages a pivot end of the handle when the pivot end is inserted into the bracket, and retains the pivot end of the handle at the bracket when the pivot end of the handle is engaged with a pivot element of the bracket. The clip (i) limits movement of the handle relative to the bracket in a direction along a longitudinal axis of the bracket or handle, (ii) allows pivotal movement of the handle about the pivot element of the bracket, and (iii) allows for removal of the handle from the bracket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2024
    Assignee: Magna Mirrors of America, Inc.
    Inventors: James A. Ruse, Brett A. Gorby
  • Patent number: 11952820
    Abstract: A vehicular slider window assembly includes a frame portion, a fixed window panel fixed relative to the frame portion, and a movable window panel. A drive system is operable to move the movable window panel between an opened position and a closed position. The drive system includes (i) a housing attached at the fixed window panel, (ii) a drive motor disposed in the housing, (iii) a threaded shaft disposed in the housing and rotatably driven by the drive motor, (iv) a connecting element that threadedly receives the threaded shaft therethrough and (v) a window connector that is affixed to the movable window panel and that pivotally connects to the connecting element. Rotation of the threaded shaft imparts a translational movement of the connecting element along the threaded shaft to move the movable window panel between the opened and closed positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2024
    Assignee: Magna Mirrors of America, Inc.
    Inventors: Darin J. Snider, Peggy L. Gustafson, Troy F. Tooker
  • Patent number: 11938793
    Abstract: A vehicular slider window assembly includes at least one fixed window panel having an opening, and upper and lower rails fixedly disposed at the at least one fixed window panel. A movable window panel is movable along the rails between a closed position and an opened position. A perimeter seal is disposed at a surface of the fixed window panel, with the perimeter seal providing a continuous sealing element that circumscribes the opening and that is configured to seal against a surface of the movable window panel when the movable window panel is closed. The perimeter seal includes elongated sealing portions having respective elongated sealing lips disposed along respective base portions. The perimeter seal is formed via a multi-shot injection molding process, with the base portions formed via a first shot injection molding process and the sealing lips formed along the base portions via a second shot injection molding process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2024
    Assignees: Magna Mirrors of America, Inc., Global Supply Innovative Engineering, LLC
    Inventors: Darin J. Snider, David K. Johnson, Shawn O'Neill, Randall Leach
  • Patent number: 11932169
    Abstract: A vehicular exterior rearview mirror control system is configured to attach at a side of a vehicle and includes a mirror assembly having a variable reflectance mirror reflective element. The vehicular rearview mirror control system processes image data captured by a rear backup camera of the vehicle. The rearview mirror control system, via processing a first subset of image data captured by the rear backup camera, determines ambient light rearward of the vehicle. The rearview mirror control system, via processing a second subset of received image data captured by the rear backup camera, determines glare light emanating from a headlight of another vehicle following the equipped vehicle. The first subset of captured image data is different than the second subset of captured image data. A door module unit of the vehicle controls dimming of the variable reflectance mirror reflective element based at least in part on the determined glare light.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2023
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2024
    Assignee: Magna Mirrors of America, Inc.
    Inventors: John T. Uken, Darryl P. De Wind, Gregory A. Huizen, Rodney K. Blank
  • Patent number: 11912204
    Abstract: A vehicular imaging system includes a camera device disposed at an exterior portion of a vehicle. The camera device includes a pivotable arm that accommodates a camera. The pivotable arm is pivotally mounted at a mounting base at the vehicle and is pivotable between at least a drive position and a folded position. An actuator includes a pivot post structure attached to the mounting base and an output gear disposed at the pivot post structure, the actuator operable to pivot the pivotable arm about the output gear. The actuator includes a primary detent that is engaged to maintain the pivotable arm at the drive position when the pivotable arm is pivoted to the drive position. The actuator includes a secondary detent that is disengaged when the pivotable arm is manually pivoted between the folded position and the drive position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2024
    Assignee: Magna Mirrors of America, Inc.
    Inventors: Kenneth C. Peterson, Anthony J. LaCross, Mitchell J. Wesley
  • Patent number: 11912110
    Abstract: A vehicular slider window assembly includes a movable window panel that is movable along rails at an opening of a fixed window panel. A perimeter seal is disposed at a surface of the fixed window panel and circumscribes the opening and is configured to seal against a surface of the movable window panel when the movable window panel is in a closed position. The perimeter seal includes elongated sealing portions joined at respective corner regions, with adjacent end regions of attachment elements of the sealing portions being spaced from one another at the respective corner regions such that there is a gap between the adjacent end regions. With the attachment elements attached at the surface of the fixed window panel, a sealant is dispensed into the gaps via passageways to seal the corner regions of the perimeter seal at the fixed window panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2024
    Assignee: Magna Mirrors of America, Inc.
    Inventors: Darin J. Snider, David L. Guillozet, David G. Douma, Dino D. Zambelli
  • Patent number: 11912201
    Abstract: A vehicular exterior rearview mirror assembly includes a dual mode illumination module having a first light emitting diode (LED) operable to emit visible white light when electrically powered and a second LED operable to emit non-visible light when electrically powered. The first LED, when the vehicle is parked and the first LED is electrically powered, emits visible white light to provide visible ground illumination at a ground region at least partially along the side portion of the vehicle. Visible ground illumination by the vehicular exterior rearview mirror assembly at the ground region is locked-out during movement of the vehicle. The second LED, when the second LED is electrically powered, emits non-visible light to provide non-visible illumination for a camera viewing exterior and at least sideward of the vehicle. Non-visible light emission by the second LED is not locked-out during movement of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2024
    Assignee: Magna Mirrors of America, Inc.
    Inventors: Gregory A. Huizen, Eric Peterson
  • Patent number: 11904762
    Abstract: A vehicular exterior rearview mirror assembly includes a mirror reflective element and an illumination module that includes a freeformed lens optic and a circuit board with an illumination source disposed thereat. With the vehicular exterior rearview mirror assembly mounted at a side of a vehicle, light emitted by the illumination source passes through the freeformed lens optic and provides ground lighting that illuminates a ground region located at the side of the vehicle. The ground lighting includes (a) ground illumination of the illuminated ground region and (b) within the ground illumination of the illuminated ground region, a logo formed by the freeformed lens optic. The logo formed by the freeformed lens optic has a light intensity greater than any light intensity of the ground illumination of the illuminated ground region. The illumination module is snap-attached at a portion of the vehicular exterior rearview mirror assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2023
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2024
    Assignee: MAGNA MIRRORS OF AMERICA, INC.
    Inventors: Justin E. Sobecki, Jake Mohan
  • Patent number: 11904773
    Abstract: A method for assembling a mirror reflective element sub-assembly for a vehicular exterior rearview mirror assembly includes assembling an indicator module by heat staking a printed circuit board at a receiving part of a housing to form a housing and printed circuit board assembly and dispensing potting material at the printed circuit board to seal the printed circuit board at the housing and aligning and taping a diffuser at the housing. A back plate is provided that has an indicator attaching portion for attaching the indicator module. The back plate is placed at a support fixture and a mirror reflective element is attached at the back plate. The indicator module is attached at the indicator attaching portion of the back plate. Light emitted by the indicator module, when electrically powered to emit light, passes through the mirror reflective element at an aperture of the back plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2023
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2024
    Assignee: Magna Mirrors of America, Inc.
    Inventors: Kenneth C. Peterson, Matthew S. Van Oeveren, Jeffrey R. Westbrook
  • Patent number: 11890991
    Abstract: A vehicular exterior rearview mirror assembly includes a mirror reflective element sub-assembly having a mirror reflective element, a mirror reflector coating, a mirror back plate, and indicator element. The indicator element includes a circuit board and a light source. The indicator element includes a diffuser that diffuses light emitted by the light source. An icon is established through a metallic reflector coating disposed at the glass substrate. The icon includes a light-transmitting aperture. With the vehicular exterior rearview mirror assembly attached at the vehicle, and when the light source is activated, light emitted by the light source passes through a light-transmitting portion of a heater pad and through the light-transmitting aperture of the icon. With the vehicular exterior rearview mirror assembly attached at the vehicle and when the light source is activated, the icon is illuminated and is viewable by the driver of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2023
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2024
    Assignee: MAGNA MIRRORS OF AMERICA, INC.
    Inventors: Keith D. Foote, Niall R. Lynam
  • Patent number: 11890990
    Abstract: A vehicular interior rearview mirror assembly includes a mirror head accommodating an interior mirror reflective element. The mirror reflective element has a mirror transflector that transmits near infrared light incident thereon, transmits visible light incident thereon and reflects visible light incident thereon. A camera is disposed within the mirror head and views through the mirror transflector. The camera includes an imaging sensor having a quantum efficiency (QE) of at least 15% for near infrared light having a wavelength of 940 nm. First, second and third near infrared illumination sources are disposed within the mirror head and operable to emit near infrared light that passes through the mirror transflector. The near infrared illumination sources are at respective locations at the mirror reflective element and, when powered, illuminate respective seat regions for a driver-monitoring function or an occupant-detection function.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2023
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2024
    Assignee: Magna Mirrors of America, Inc.
    Inventors: Gregory A. Huizen, Justin E. Sobecki, Austen C. Peterson, Ian A McCabe, Rodney K. Blank, Niall R. Lynam
  • Patent number: 11885158
    Abstract: A vehicular door actuation system for a door of a vehicle includes a handle assembly, a latch and an actuator. The handle assembly includes a handle portion and a base portion. The base portion is disposed at the door of the vehicle and the handle portion is movable between a recessed position, where the handle portion nests at least partially in the base portion, and a ready position, where the handle portion extends from the base portion. The actuator is disposed at the door of the vehicle separate and remote from the handle assembly. A handle linkage operatively couples operation of the actuator to the handle portion to move the handle portion from the recessed position to the ready position. The latch mechanism latches the door in a closed state, and unlatches the door responsive to a user pulling the handle portion from the ready position to open the door.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2024
    Assignee: Magna Mirrors of America, Inc.
    Inventors: Francesco Cumbo, Franco Ottino
  • Patent number: 11884216
    Abstract: A vehicular display system includes an electronic control unit (ECU), a plurality of cameras including a driver-side rear corner camera and a passenger-side rear corner camera disposed at respective driver-side and passenger-side rear corner regions of the vehicle. The ECU includes an image processor operable to process image data captured by any of the plurality of cameras and generate video images. A video mirror display screen is disposed at an interior rearview mirror assembly of the vehicle and is operable to display video images provided by the ECU. Responsive to a triggering event, the ECU, via processing of image data captured by at least one of the driver-side and passenger-side rear corner cameras, generates cross-traffic view video images and provides the cross-traffic view video images to the video mirror display screen. The cross-traffic view video images are displayed in a split-screen format at the video mirror display screen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2024
    Assignee: Magna Mirrors of America, Inc.
    Inventors: Nathan J. Pastoor, Peter J. Spencley, Jr.
  • Patent number: 11889171
    Abstract: A vehicular camera module includes a housing, a camera disposed in the housing, and a transparent cover mounted at the housing. The camera views through the transparent cover. A wiper element is movable relative to the transparent cover to clean the transparent cover. The wiper element is moved via operation of a hydraulic actuator. With the vehicular camera module mounted at an exterior portion of a vehicle, the camera views through the transparent cover in order to capture image data of a scene exterior of the vehicle. With the vehicular camera module mounted at the exterior portion of the vehicle, the hydraulic actuator operates via pressurized fluid supplied to hydraulic actuator to move the wiper element back and forth across the transparent cover to clean the transparent cover of the vehicular camera module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2024
    Assignee: Magna Mirrors of America, Inc.
    Inventor: Timothy W. Condron
  • Patent number: 11858422
    Abstract: A vehicular exterior rearview mirror assembly includes a mirror head mounted at a mounting structure. An electro-optic reflective element is attached at an attachment element that attaches at an electrically powered actuator accommodated by the mirror head. The reflective element has a front glass substrate having a first thickness less than 2.3 mm and a rear glass substrate having a second thickness less than or equal to 1.6 mm. The first and second perimeter edges of the glass substrates combine to provide a curved transition from a first surface of the front glass substrate and an outer surface of the mirror head. The mirror head includes a protruding portion that is at least partially received at a notched region of the rear glass substrate. An outer surface of the protruding portion corresponds with the second perimeter edge of the rear glass substrate at the notched region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2024
    Assignee: Magna Mirrors of America, Inc.
    Inventor: Michael J. Baur
  • Patent number: 11858411
    Abstract: A vehicular rear window assembly includes a window panel having an inner glass panel and an outer glass panel laminated together. A lighting device includes a plurality of light sources arranged on a circuit element. The vehicular rear window assembly is configured to be disposed at a rear portion of a cabin of a vehicle. The lighting device is disposed between the inner glass panel and the outer glass panel. The light sources, when electrically powered, emit light that is visible through the outer glass panel of the window panel so as to be viewable by a person viewing the vehicular rear window assembly from exterior and rearward of the vehicle. At least some of the light sources of the lighting device are electrically powered responsive to actuation of a brake of the vehicle to provide a center high mounting stop lamp feature that is integrated within the window panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2024
    Assignee: Magna Mirrors of America, Inc.
    Inventor: Darin J. Snider
  • Patent number: 11858423
    Abstract: A vehicular dual-state interior rearview mirror assembly includes a mirror head including an electrochromic mirror reflective element having a transflective mirror reflector. A video display device occupies at least 75 percent of the viewable reflective region of the mirror reflective element. With the mirror assembly operating in a first state, the video display device does not display video images and the driver views rearward via reflection at the viewable reflective region and, with the mirror assembly operating in a second state, the video display device displays video images for viewing at the viewable reflective region by the driver. When operating in a daytime mode, the display screen utilizes red pixels, green pixels, blue pixels and clear pixels of the display screen, and when operating in a nighttime mode, the display screen utilizes red pixels, green pixels and blue pixels and does not utilize clear pixels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2024
    Assignee: MAGNA MIRRORS OF AMERICA, INC.
    Inventors: Mark L Larson, John T. Uken, Christopher R. Koetje
  • Patent number: 11850998
    Abstract: A vehicular exterior rearview mirror assembly includes a mirror casing, a mirror reflective element and a ground illumination module having a freeform optic, a ground illumination light source, and first, second and third icon light sources. With the vehicular exterior rearview mirror assembly mounted at the side of the vehicle and when the ground illumination light source is electrically powered to emit light, light emitted by the ground illumination light source that passes through the freeform optic illuminates the ground region adjacent to and along the side of the vehicle with a ground illumination intensity. When each individual icon light source is electrically powered to emit light, light emitted by the respective icon light source projects a respective projected image onto an icon region that is within the ground region. The respective projected images are individually projected to provide animated images projected onto the icon region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2022
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2023
    Assignee: Magna Mirrors of America, Inc.
    Inventors: Justin E. Sobecki, Gregory A. Huizen
  • Patent number: 11851006
    Abstract: A multi-camera vehicular video display system includes an interior rearview mirror assembly having a mirror head that includes a transflective mirror element and a video display screen disposed behind the transflective mirror element. The mirror assembly includes a mechanism that is operable to change orientation of the transflective mirror element relative to a driver of the vehicle. When the mechanism changes orientation to a second position that is tilted away from the eyes of the driver of the vehicle, the video display screen displays video images viewable through the transflective mirror element. When the mechanism changes orientation to a first position that is tilted towards the eyes of the driver of the vehicle, the video display screen does not display video images. The displayed video images are derived, at least in part, from image data captured by at least one exterior viewing camera of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2022
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2023
    Assignee: Magna Mirrors of America, Inc.
    Inventors: Hamid Habibi, Michael J. Baur