Abstract: Disclosed is an outer mirror in which individual components are easy to assemble and which is superior in durability. An outer mirror includes a mirror base having a protrusion which sticks out outward from a side face of a vehicle body, a shaft being placed on the protrusion, and a mirror housing being coupled to the shaft in a rotatable fashion. Furthermore, the mirror housing includes a mirror for showing an area behind the vehicle body, and an opening on its side that faces the vehicle body.

Abstract: A color wheel including a disk-shaped substrate made of a light-transmittable medium and a plurality of filters arranged on the substrate is fabricated. Each filter is capable of selectively transmitting rays of light having a desired wavelength. The method of fabricating the color wheel including the steps of forming at least one of a plurality of adjoining selective color-transmittable films as the filters each at a predetermined area on a front side of the disk-shaped substrate, and utilizing, as a mask for exposure from a back side of the disk-shaped substrate, a portion containing at least one of two borders with which each one of the plurality of adjoining selective color-transmittable films is defined.

Abstract: Disclosed is an outer mirror in which individual components are easy to assemble and which is superior in durability. An outer mirror includes a mirror base having a protrusion which sticks out outward from a side face of a vehicle body, a shaft being placed on the protrusion, and a mirror housing being coupled to the shaft in a rotatable fashion. Furthermore, the mirror housing includes a mirror for showing an area behind the vehicle body, and an opening on its side that faces the vehicle body.

Abstract: As a vertical motion motor (M2) comprised of a brushless motor is driven to rotate in response to a control signal from a main controller (10), a pulse signal generated with the shape corresponding to the number of rotations of the vertical motion motor (M2) is counted by a pulse signal count unit of the main controller (10). Feedback control is exercised over the number of rotations of the vertical motion motor (M2) in accordance with a count value (the number of counts) of the pulse signal, so that mirror surface orientation of a door mirror (2) can be accurately adjusted to tilt downward to a predetermined set angle, and to tilt upward back to a home position angle. A mirror angle control apparatus (1) is provided with high durability and reliability, which can exercise accurate control for a long period of time.

Abstract: The present invention provides an outer mirrors installed in an automobile, that has a capability to be reset into a housing position, features to have auxiliary mirrors to percept and monitor the front wheels and thereabout, has a flexibility for well appreciated apparent design, has no reflection of head lamp lights of oncoming automobiles thereby and is capable to perform the function of the auxiliary mirror in the night or in the dark place. The outer mirror comprises a mirror base extending outward and a mirror housing, being capable to be reset into the housing position, suspended under the mirror base with a rotation capability thereunder and a separation distance from the automobile, wherein a first auxiliary mirror facing obliquely downward is attached to the mirror housing on the surface facing to the automobile body.

Abstract: A door mirror assembly for a vehicle is provided, which includes a housing, a frame supporting the housing internally. The housing has a shell with a front aperture, two fixation ports and an engagement port. On the other hand, the frame has a main body to be enclosed by the shell, two fixation elements and an engagement element. The door mirror assembly further includes two fixation sections formed by fixing the two fixation ports and two fixation elements with fasteners and an engagement section formed by engaging the engagement port and engagement element. The door mirror assembly has a feature that the engagement section is adapted to be on the circumference of a circle, the center of circle lies on an axis defined by the two fixation sections, so that the rotational displacement of housing relative to the frame can be restricted.

Abstract: An image pickup apparatus which is equipped in a vehicle includes an infrared light emitter, an infrared camera and an infrared light sensor. The infrared light emitter irradiates an infrared light towards a surrounding area of the vehicle. The infrared camera performs an image pickup by receiving a reflected infrared light, which is emitted from the infrared light emitter and is reflected by an obstacle present in the surrounding area. The infrared light sensor detects a pulse light ranging from near-infrared region to infrared region, which is irradiated from an oncoming vehicle. The infrared camera delays performing the image pickup when the infrared light sensor detects the pulse light.

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

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.

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.

Abstract: In the camera 10 having an ultraviolet light generating portion 16, the influence of the ultraviolet light upon an image to be taken is suppressed. A camera 10 for taking an image possesses an image-pickup portion 24 which takes an image of a subject; a hydrophilic filter 14 formed so that a hydrophilic surface is exposed on an outer surface of the camera, and transmitting a light entering from the subject to said image-pickup portion; and an ultraviolet light generating portion 16, which irradiates an ultraviolet light with the surface of the external surface of said camera on said hydrophilic filter from the edge portion of said hydrophilic filter. The hydrophilic filter 14 comprises a photocatalytic substance which decomposes organic substances adhered thereon depending on the ultraviolet light.

Abstract: A coating agent including photocatalyst particles dispersed in a titanium peroxide solution obtainable by causing titanium hydroxide (orthotitanic acid) gel to act with hydrogen peroxide being used as a material for the photocatalyzer film is used to a photocatalyzer film having photocatalyst particles supported therein. By forming a porous hydrophilic substance film on the photocatalyzer film, the defects of the film caused by the wiping can be prevented. Also, a film formed by using the coating agent including photocatalyst particles dispersed in a titanium peroxide solution at a temperature of from normal room temperature to 200° C. is of high porosity in comparison with a film formed at a higher temperature and with a film not having a photocatalyst particles dispersed therein. Consequently, the photocatalyzer film and the hydrophilic substance film have good adhesion property when use with each other.

Abstract: Disclosed is a mirror that has a mirror surface of which orientation is variable, and that can be miniaturized at a low cost. The mirror includes an actuator for changing the orientation of the mirror surface by swiveling the mirror surface around axes parallel to the mirror surface, an interlocking member for changing its orientation in conjunction with the mirror surface, so as to face in the same direction as that of the mirror surface, one or more slide blocks being urged toward the interlocking member to thereby move in a direction substantially perpendicular to the mirror surface and in proportion to a swivel amount of the mirror surface, upon swivel of the interlocking member, and a swivel amount detector for detecting the swivel amount of the mirror surface, based on the moving amounts of the slide blocks.

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).

Abstract: Disclosed is a display device at a low cost which enhances the color purity of light to be projected, and which resists deterioration due to ambient light such as infrared ray. This display device includes an LED, an optical member for selectively outputting light components, of which wavelength is a predetermined minimum-limit wavelength or longer, from incident light, and a mirror for selectively reflecting light components, of which wavelength is a predetermined maximum-limit wavelength or shorter, from irradiated light. One of the optical member or the mirror receives light directly from the LED, and outputs it to the other. Subsequently, the other receives the light from one of the optical member and the mirror, and outputs it.

Abstract: A member tilting mechanism includes a housing rear having a concave spherical portion, a cap support having a convex spherical portion, a plate pivot having a pivot portion, which is a tubular portion with an arc-like cross section, a spring plate which presses against the cap support towards the housing rear in such a manner that the plate pivot is allowed to tilt in such a state that the pivot portion is held by the concave spherical portion and the convex spherical portion, a tapping screw for fixing the spring plate to the housing rear, and a stopper that is fixed to the housing rear for restricting the deformation of the spring plate in an anti-pressing direction. According to this structure, the stopper restricts the deflection of the spring plate in the anti-pressing direction so as to prevent the excessive tilt of the plate pivot.

Abstract: When a signal level of a motor brush switching signal is low and thus dropouts or omission of the pulse signals converted by a waveform shaping part take place, so that an interval between a pulse signal to be currently counted and an immediately preceding pulse signal thereof becomes longer than a predetermined average interval, a pulse signal counter makes a correction of the number of counts by adding one pulse to the pulse to be counted. Therefore, even if the signal level of the motor brush switching signals generated from a vertical motion motor M2 is low for some reasons, accurate control can be exercised over the number of rotations of the vertical motion motor M2.

Abstract: A photochromic device having a photochromic layer including a photochromic material which exhibits absorbance in a visible region upon being sensitized by a light having a wavelength of not less than 700 nm, and an ultraviolet light blocking device for blocking an ultraviolet light from sensitizing the photochromic material in the photochromic layer. The ultraviolet light blocking device includes at least one of an ultraviolet shielding layer positioned to shield the photochromic layer from the ultraviolet light and an ultraviolet light absorber included in the photochromic layer.

Abstract: A movable part 10 of a display orientation adjustment apparatus H is attached to a rear surface of a display, and pivotably supported by a base 20, and its pivotal motion is restricted by a stopper 50 within a permissible range. If the movable part 10 is pivoted beyond the restricted range by a pivoting force of a predetermined magnitude or greater, the stopper 50 is released. Therefore, even if the display is pivoted inadvertently beyond the permissible range of the pivotal motion, breakage of components thereof would never take place, and its normal state of use can easily be restored.

Abstract: Deterioration of characteristics due to repeated cycles of coloration and discoloration in an electrochromic element comprising an oxidative coloration layer composed of a nickel oxide and a electrolyte composed of a solid electrolyte is suppressed. A lower ITO transparent electrode film 12 is formed on a transparent substrate 10. A nickel oxide film 32 making up an oxidative coloration layer, an intermediate layer 33, a tantalum oxide film making up a solid electrolyte layer, a mixed film comprising a tungsten oxide and a titanium oxide making up a reductive coloration layer, and an upper ITO transparent electrode film 20 making up an upper electrode film are formed on the lower ITO transparent electrode film 12 on this order. The intermediate layer 33 is a transparent film comprising a metal oxide such as SnO2, a metal such as Al, or a composite of the metal oxide and the metal.