Patents by Inventor Francis Charlet

Francis Charlet has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 12311847
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a camera assembly arrangement for a vehicle rear view cover. The camera assembly arrangement may include a rear view cover, wherein the rear view cover comprises at least one alignment element, and a camera assembly, wherein the camera assembly comprises a camera module with a lens and at least one of a cover and a camera cradle for mounting the camera module. The camera assembly may include at least four alignment elements to align the camera assembly to the rear view cover, with the alignment elements comprising at least two stiff ribs and at least two spring elements such that the camera assembly is pressed by the spring elements against the stiff ribs and onto the rear view cover.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2022
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2025
    Assignee: Motherson Innovations Company Limited
    Inventors: Thomas Baggi, Wilfried Bonny, Francis Charlet, Steve Horne, Stephen Rawding
  • Publication number: 20250162503
    Abstract: The present disclosure refers to a base cover of a base assembly of an exterior rear view device to be mounted to a vehicle and to moveably support a head assembly, comprising three cover pieces designed to releasably mantle the base frame by being attached via clip, snap and/or latch connections. It also refers to an exterior rear view device, comprising a base assembly with a base frame manteled with a base cover of the present disclosure, and to a vehicle with such an exterior rear view device. Further, the present disclosure refers to a method for assembling the base cover of the present disclosure as well as a method for dis-assembling the base cover of the present disclosure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 23, 2022
    Publication date: May 22, 2025
    Inventors: Callum SCOTT-COLLINS, Jakub SPYCHALA, Kane CONNOR, Graham REHILL, Andrew LETTIS, Andreas HERRMANN, Arne SCHMIERER, Simon David FIELD, Francis CHARLET
  • Publication number: 20250121771
    Abstract: An exterior rear view device includes a head assembly and a base assembly configured to be mounted to a vehicle for moveably supporting the head assembly, the base assembly comprising a base frame, a base cover comprising a plurality of cover pieces that include at least a lower base cover, a base cover cap, and a glare shield, a first camera with a first lens that extends in a first direction through a first opening in the glare shield, a second camera with a second lens that extends in a second direction through a second opening in the lower base cover, and a cleaning system with a nozzle for dispensing a cleaning fluid onto the second lens.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2024
    Publication date: April 17, 2025
    Inventors: Callum Scott-Collins, Jakub Spychala, Kane Connor, Graham Rehill, Andrew Lettis, Andreas Herrmann, Arne Schmierer, Simon David Field, Francis Charlet, Steve Horne
  • Publication number: 20250108758
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a rear view device for a vehicle with one or more gaskets preventing water or other contaminants from entering the device between components, while allowing the components to move in relation to one another. In embodiments, the rear view device comprises a base adapted to be mounted to a side of the vehicle, a head for supporting at least one means for providing a rearward field of view disposed at a second attachment end of the base, an actuator connected to the second end of the base, and a shroud attached to the actuator, wherein the actuator may rotate the head in relation to the base. In one embodiment, the shroud is configured to interact with a shaft of the actuator to limit the rotational movement of the actuator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 27, 2023
    Publication date: April 3, 2025
    Inventors: Tom HARRIS, Stephen BEECHER, David KERSHAW, Gareth ASPDEN, Levente KURTI, Warwick JONES, Dong Myeong PARK, Levente ACS, Thorsten STAIGER, Zoltan HUSZAR, Andrew LETTIS, Callum SCOTT-COLLINS, Graham REHILL, Andreas HERRMANN, Arne SCHMIERER, Simon David FIELD, Francis CHARLET, Jiayong DONG, Ronglong LIN
  • Patent number: 12151615
    Abstract: A housing for a rear view element of a rear view device for a vehicle includes a scalp portion comprising a first circumferential edge being c-shaped extending at least partially around an opening of the scalp portion, and a bezel comprising a second circumferential edge having a lip portion extending at least partially around the bezel. The c-shaped first circumferential edge of the scalp portion is configured to at least partly overlap the lip portion to obtain a flush surface at a separation edge which is located at least partly at an inside panel of the bezel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2023
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2024
    Assignee: SMR Patents S.à.r.l.
    Inventors: Thomas Baggi, Francis Charlet, David Gaskin, Andrew Lettis, Benjamin Bruhin, Wilfried Bonny
  • Patent number: 12134350
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a rear view device for a vehicle with one or more gaskets preventing water or other contaminants from entering the device between components, while allowing the components to move in relation to one another. In embodiments, the rear view device comprises a base adapted to be mounted to a side of the vehicle, a head for supporting at least one means for providing a rearward field of view disposed at a second attachment end of the base, an actuator connected to the second end of the base, and a shroud attached to the actuator, wherein the actuator may rotate the head in relation to the base. In embodiment, a foot gasket is attached to a foot of the base and includes a first lip portion that extends towards the shroud in a vertical direction, and a second soft lip portion that contacts the shroud in a horizontal direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2022
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2024
    Assignee: Motherson Innovations Company Limited
    Inventors: Tom Harris, Stephen Beecher, David Kershaw, Gareth Aspden, Levente Kurti, Warwick Jones, Dong Myeong Park, Levente Acs, Thorsten Staiger, Zoltàn Huszar, Andrew Lettis, Callum Scott-Collins, Graham Rehill, Andreas Herrmann, Arne Schmierer, Simon David Field, Francis Charlet
  • Patent number: 12122299
    Abstract: An assembly set for assembling an external rearview system for a motor vehicle is provided. The external rearview system when assembled may include a base assembly provided for arrangement on the motor vehicle, and a head assembly attached to the base assembly. The assembly set may include (i) a first head assembly comprising, a first rearview device comprising at least one reflective element in form of a mirror glass, (ii) a second head assembly comprising, a second rearview device comprising at least one reflective element in form of an at least partly translucent mirror glass, and at least one first camera unit being configured to obtain a rearview image through the reflective element, and (iii) a third head assembly with at least one component of a camera monitor system. The head assembly may be configured to be detachable and is selected to be the first, second or third head assembly, with the first, second and third head assembly being exchangeable with each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2024
    Assignee: SMR Patents S.à.r.l.
    Inventors: Andrew Lettis, Graham Rehill, Callum Scott-Collins, Andreas Herrmann, Arne Schmierer, Simon David Field, Francis Charlet, Jakub Spychala, Kane Connor, Steve Horne
  • Publication number: 20240163542
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a camera assembly arrangement for a vehicle rear view cover. In an embodiment, the rear view cover comprises a plurality of alignment elements and at least one attachment element, and a camera cradle of the camera assembly comprises at least one attachment arm that secures the camera assembly to the at least one attachment element of the rear view cover. The camera cradle further comprises a plurality of spring elements configured to press a camera module against the plurality of alignment elements of the rear view cover to align the at least one attachment arm of the camera cradle with the at least one attachment element of the rear view cover and to restrict movement of the camera assembly when secured to the rear view cover.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 18, 2024
    Publication date: May 16, 2024
    Inventors: Levente Acs, Thomas Baggi, Francis Charlet, Steve Horne, Mikhail Kudryavtsev, Tobias Schwenger, Thorsten Staiger, Steve Rawding, Wilfried Bonny
  • Publication number: 20240092263
    Abstract: A housing for a rear view element of a rear view device for a vehicle includes a scalp portion comprising a first circumferential edge being c-shaped extending at least partially around an opening of the scalp portion, and a bezel comprising a second circumferential edge having a lip portion extending at least partially around the bezel. The c-shaped first circumferential edge of the scalp portion is configured to at least partly overlap the lip portion to obtain a flush surface at a separation edge which is located at least partly at an inside panel of the bezel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 29, 2023
    Publication date: March 21, 2024
    Inventors: Thomas Baggi, Francis Charlet, David Gaskin, Andrew Lettis, Benjamin Bruhin, Wilfried Bonny
  • Patent number: 11890989
    Abstract: An assembly set for assembling an external rearview system for a motor vehicle is provided. The external rearview system when assembled may include a base assembly provided for arrangement on the motor vehicle, and a head assembly attached to the base assembly. The assembly set may include (i) a first head assembly comprising a first rearview device comprising at least one reflective element in form of a mirror glass, and (ii) a second head assembly with at least one component of a camera monitor system. The head assembly may be configured to be detachable and is selected to be the first or second head assembly, with the first and second head assembly being exchangeable with each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2024
    Assignee: SMR Patents S.à.r.l.
    Inventors: Andrew Lettis, Graham Rehill, Callum Scott-Collins, Andreas Herrmann, Arne Schmierer, Simon David Field, Jakub Spychala, Kane Connor, Francis Charlet, Steve Horne
  • Patent number: 11865973
    Abstract: A housing for a rear view element of a rear view device for a vehicle includes a scalp portion including a first circumferential edge being c-shaped extending at least partially around an opening of the scalp portion, a lower casing portion including a second circumferential edge being c-shaped extending at least partially around an opening of the lower casing portion, and a bezel including a third circumferential edge having a lip portion extending at least partially around the bezel section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2024
    Assignee: SMR Patents S.à.r.l.
    Inventors: Thomas Baggi, Francis Charlet, David Gaskin, Andrew Lettis, Benjamin Bruhin, Wilfried Bonny
  • Patent number: 11821592
    Abstract: The present disclosure refers to a light module, comprising a lens unit, which is formed with a bottom, a lid and one or more side walls between the bottom and the lid, wherein the one or more side walls provide one or more insertion openings; a printed circuit board unit, which carries one or more light sources and is inserted into the lens unit through a first insertion opening of the one or more insertion openings such that light emitted by the one or more light sources exits the light module through the bottom and/or the lid of the lens unit; and a housing unit, which is provided with a bottom opening, a lid opening and one or more side walls between the bottom opening and the lid opening, wherein the lens unit is arranged within the housing unit such that the bottom opening of the housing unit is closed by the bottom of the lens unit, the lid opening of the housing unit is closed by the lid of the lens unit, and the one or more insertion openings of the lens unit is closed by the one or more side walls o
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2023
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2023
    Assignee: Motherson Innovations Company Limited
    Inventors: Thomas Baggi, Wilfried Bonny, Francis Charlet
  • Publication number: 20230184395
    Abstract: The present disclosure refers to a light module, comprising a lens unit, which is formed with a bottom, a lid and one or more side walls between the bottom and the lid, wherein the one or more side walls provide one or more insertion openings; a printed circuit board unit, which carries one or more light sources and is inserted into the lens unit through a first insertion opening of the one or more insertion openings such that light emitted by the one or more light sources exits the light module through the bottom and/or the lid of the lens unit; and a housing unit, which is provided with a bottom opening, a lid opening and one or more side walls between the bottom opening and the lid opening, wherein the lens unit is arranged within the housing unit such that the bottom opening of the housing unit is closed by the bottom of the lens unit, the lid opening of the housing unit is closed by the lid of the lens unit, and the one or more insertion openings of the lens unit is closed by the one or more side walls o
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 7, 2023
    Publication date: June 15, 2023
    Inventors: Thomas Baggi, Wilfried Bonny, Francis Charlet
  • Patent number: 11598493
    Abstract: The present disclosure refers to a light module, comprising a lens unit, which is formed with a bottom, a lid and one or more side walls between the bottom and the lid, wherein the one or more side walls provide one or more insertion openings; a printed circuit board unit, which carries one or more light sources and is inserted into the lens unit through a first insertion opening of the one or more insertion openings such that light emitted by the one or more light sources exits the light module through the bottom and/or the lid of the lens unit; and a housing unit, which is provided with a bottom opening, a lid opening and one or more side walls between the bottom opening and the lid opening, wherein the lens unit is arranged within the housing unit such that the bottom opening of the housing unit is closed by the bottom of the lens unit, the lid opening of the housing unit is closed by the lid of the lens unit, and the one or more insertion openings of the lens unit is closed by the one or more side walls o
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2023
    Assignee: Motherson Innovations Company Limited
    Inventors: Thomas Baggi, Wilfried Bonny, Francis Charlet
  • Publication number: 20230052738
    Abstract: An assembly set for assembling an external rearview system for a motor vehicle is provided. The external rearview system when assembled may include a base assembly provided for arrangement on the motor vehicle, and a head assembly attached to the base assembly. The assembly set may include (i) a first head assembly comprising a first rearview device comprising at least one reflective element in form of a mirror glass, and (ii) a second head assembly with at least one component of a camera monitor system. The head assembly may be configured to be detachable and is selected to be the first or second head assembly, with the first and second head assembly being exchangeable with each other.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 7, 2022
    Publication date: February 16, 2023
    Inventors: Andrew Lettis, Graham Rehill, Callum Scott-Collins, Andreas Herrmann, Arne Schmierer, Simon David Field, Jakub Spychala, Kane Connor, Francis Charlet, Steve Horne
  • Publication number: 20230017426
    Abstract: The present disclosure refers to a base assembly of an exterior rear view device. The base assembly is configured to be mounted to a vehicle in a way that moveably supports a head assembly of the exterior rearview device. The base assembly comprises: a camera with a lens, a cleaning system with a nozzle for dispensing cleaning fluid onto the lens, a base frame, a base cover that comprises a plurality of cover pieces, and a camera cradle. The cover pieces provide a first opening for the lens and a second opening for the nozzle. The camera cradle is mounted to the base frame for holding both the camera and the nozzle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 7, 2022
    Publication date: January 19, 2023
    Inventors: Callum Scott-Collins, Jakub Spychala, Kane Connor, Graham Rehill, Andrew Lettis, Andreas Herrmann, Arne Schmierer, Simon David Field, Francis Charlet, Steve Horne
  • Publication number: 20220402443
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a camera assembly arrangement for a vehicle rear view cover. The camera assembly arrangement may include a rear view cover, wherein the rear view cover comprises at least one alignment element, and a camera assembly, wherein the camera assembly comprises a camera module with a lens and at least one of a cover and a camera cradle for mounting the camera module. The camera assembly may include at least four alignment elements to align the camera assembly to the rear view cover, with the alignment elements comprising at least two stiff ribs and at least two spring elements such that the camera assembly is pressed by the spring elements against the stiff ribs and onto the rear view cover.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 14, 2022
    Publication date: December 22, 2022
    Inventors: Thomas Baggi, Wilfried Bonny, Francis Charlet, Steve Horn, Stephen Rawding
  • Publication number: 20220305982
    Abstract: The present disclosure refers to a light module, comprising a lens unit, which is formed with a bottom, a lid and one or more side walls between the bottom and the lid, wherein the one or more side walls provide one or more insertion openings; a printed circuit board unit, which carries one or more light sources and is inserted into the lens unit through a first insertion opening of the one or more insertion openings such that light emitted by the one or more light sources exits the light module through the bottom and/or the lid of the lens unit; and a housing unit, which is provided with a bottom opening, a lid opening and one or more side walls between the bottom opening and the lid opening, wherein the lens unit is arranged within the housing unit such that the bottom opening of the housing unit is closed by the bottom of the lens unit, the lid opening of the housing unit is closed by the lid of the lens unit, and the one or more insertion openings of the lens unit is closed by the one or more side walls o
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2022
    Publication date: September 29, 2022
    Inventors: Thomas Baggi, Wilfried Bonny, Francis Charlet
  • Publication number: 20220176878
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a rear view device for a vehicle with one or more gaskets preventing water or other contaminants from entering the device between components, while allowing the components to move in relation to one another. In embodiments, the rear view device comprises a base adapted to be mounted to a side of the vehicle, a head for supporting at least one means for providing a rearward field of view disposed at a second attachment end of the base, an actuator connected to the second end of the base, and a shroud attached to the actuator, wherein the actuator may rotate the head in relation to the base. In embodiment, a foot gasket is attached to a foot of the base and includes a first lip portion that extends towards the shroud in a vertical direction, and a second soft lip portion that contacts the shroud in a horizontal direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 28, 2022
    Publication date: June 9, 2022
    Inventors: Tom Harris, Stephen Beecher, Davis Kershaw, Gareth Aspden, Levente Kurti, Warwick Jones, Dong Myeong Park, Levente Acs, Thorsten Staiger, Zoltàn Huszar, Andrew Lettis, Callum Scott-Collins, Graham Rehill, Andreas Herrmann, Arne Schmierer, Simon David Field, Francis Charlet
  • Publication number: 20220176880
    Abstract: An assembly set for assembling an external rearview system for a motor vehicle is provided. The external rearview system when assembled may include a base assembly provided for arrangement on the motor vehicle, and a head assembly attached to the base assembly. The assembly set may include (i) a first head assembly comprising, a first rearview device comprising at least one reflective element in form of a mirror glass, (ii) a second head assembly comprising, a second rearview device comprising at least one reflective element in form of an at least partly translucent mirror glass, and at least one first camera unit being configured to obtain a rearview image through the reflective element, and (iii) a third head assembly with at least one component of a camera monitor system. The head assembly may be configured to be detachable and is selected to be the first, second or third head assembly, with the first, second and third head assembly being exchangeable with each other.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 25, 2022
    Publication date: June 9, 2022
    Inventors: Andrew Lettis, Graham Rehill, Callum Scott-Collins, Andreas Herrmann, Arne Schmierer, Simon David Field, Francis Charlet, Jakub Spychala, Kane Connor