Abstract: A vehicular exterior rearview mirror assembly includes a mirror reflective element and an illumination module that includes an illumination source and a freeformed lens optic. When the illumination source is operated to emit light, emitted light passes through the freeformed lens optic. The freeformed lens optic is configured such that, with the vehicular exterior rearview mirror assembly mounted at a side of a vehicle, light emitted by the illumination source that passes through the freeformed lens optic provides ground lighting that illuminates a ground region located at the side of the equipped 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.

Abstract: A vehicular illumination system includes a ground illumination module disposed at a side door of a vehicle. The ground illumination module includes a reconfigurable display element and at least one light source operable to emit light. When the at least one light source is electrically powered, light emitted by the at least one light source illuminates a ground region adjacent the vehicle. When the at least one light source is electrically powered, light emitted by the at least one light source passes through the reconfigurable display element and the ground illumination module projects an icon established by the reconfigurable display element onto the ground region. The reconfigurable display element is reconfigurable to form the icon responsive to programming of the reconfigurable display element for an icon.

Abstract: A vehicular ground illumination module includes first, second and third icon LEDs, and first, second and third masks associated with respective ones of the first, second and third LEDs. A ground illumination LED and a freeform optic of the module function to, when the ground illumination LED electrically powered, illuminate the ground adjacent the side of the vehicle at which the module is mounted, with a ground illumination region of the ground being illuminated at a ground illumination intensity and an icon region of the ground being illuminated at an icon illumination intensity that is less than the ground illumination intensity. When the first, second and third icon LEDs are individually electrically powered to emit light, light emitted by the LEDs passes through the respective masks to project first, second and third projected images that provide animated images at the icon region of the ground adjacent the vehicle.

Abstract: An illumination module configured for mounting at a vehicle includes at least one illumination source and an optic. The optic is a three dimensional single formed optic that is formed such that, when the illumination source is operated and when the illumination module is disposed at a side of a vehicle, the optic provides projection of an icon, a logo and/or indicia at a ground region at or near the side of the vehicle. The optic includes one of (a) a lens optic configured such that light emitted by the illumination source, when activated, passes through the lens optic to provide projection of the icon, the logo and/or indicia, and (b) a reflector optic configured such that light emitted by the illumination source, when activated, reflects off the reflector optic to provide the selected projection of the icon, the logo and/or indicia.

Abstract: A vehicular exterior door handle assembly includes a base portion and a handle portion. A bellcrank link pivotally connects the swing end of the handle portion to a bellcrank. An actuator engages a portion of a crank to impart pivotal movement of the crank to cause the crank to pivot relative to the base portion and move the handle portion from a recessed position toward a deployed position. When the handle portion is at the recessed position, the base end of the handle portion is manually movable inward to cause the swing end of the handle portion to move outward from the base portion to move the handle portion towards a manually deployed position without operation of the motor. A crank locking mechanism that limits pivotal movement of the crank when the handle portion is in the manually deployed position.

Abstract: A vehicular exterior door handle assembly includes a base portion configured to mount at an exterior door handle region of a vehicular door, a handle portion pivotally mounted at the base portion, and a light projection device. The handle portion is pivotable between a non-deployed orientation, where an outer surface of the handle portion is coplanar with an outer surface of the vehicular door at the exterior door handle region, and a deployed orientation, where the handle portion is pivoted inward into a door handle pocket within the vehicular door. The light projection device is operable to project an icon or character onto the outer surface of the handle portion when the handle portion is in the deployed orientation. The light projection device projects the icon or character responsive to the handle portion pivoting to the deployed orientation.

Abstract: A vehicular exterior lighting system includes a lighting module disposed at a side of a vehicle. The lighting module includes at least one light emitting diode. The lighting module is operable to emit light that is viewable by a person exterior the side of the vehicle who is viewing the side of the vehicle. The lighting module emits white light responsive to a signal from a remote device to provide ground illumination of a ground region at the side of the vehicle at which the lighting module is disposed, and the lighting module (i) emits a first color of light responsive to a door lock signal and (ii) emits a second color of light responsive to a door unlock signal. The first color of light is different than the second color of light.

Abstract: A vehicular illumination system includes a ground illumination module disposed at a side door of a vehicle. The ground illumination module includes a reconfigurable display element and at least one light source operable to emit light. When the at least one light source is electrically powered, light emitted by the at least one light source illuminates a ground region adjacent the vehicle. When the at least one light source is electrically powered, light emitted by the at least one light source passes through the reconfigurable display element and the ground illumination module projects an icon established by the reconfigurable display element onto the ground region. The reconfigurable display element is reconfigurable to form the icon responsive to programming of the reconfigurable display element for an icon.

Abstract: A vehicular vision system includes at least a sideward-viewing side camera at a side of a vehicle, a rearward-viewing rear backup camera, and a ground illumination light module disposed at the side of the vehicle and including at least one light emitting diode and a freeform optic. The vehicular ground illumination light module, when the light emitting diode is electrically powered so as to emit light through the freeform optic, illuminates a ground region at that side of the vehicle. The illuminated ground region includes an illuminated side ground region at least partially along the side of the vehicle and an illuminated rearward ground region rearward of a rear portion of the vehicle. The illuminated ground region is at least in part viewed by the sideward-viewing side camera and the rearward-viewing rear backup camera. A portion of the illuminated side ground region is illuminated with a luminance of at least 10 lux.

Abstract: An exterior rearview mirror assembly configured for mounting at a vehicle includes a mounting arm, an electrically operated actuator at one end of the mounting arm, an attachment portion at the other end of the mounting arm, and an exterior mirror head movable relative to the mounting arm via the actuator. The exterior mirror head includes an exterior mirror reflective element attached at an attachment plate of the exterior mirror head. The exterior mirror reflective element attached at the attachment plate moves in tandem with movement of the exterior mirror head relative to the mounting arm when the driver of the equipped vehicle operates the actuator. The attachment plate of the exterior mirror head includes wall structure that extends from the front side of the attachment plate. No part of the exterior mirror head encroaches onto or overlaps the outermost side of the exterior mirror reflective element.

Abstract: A vehicular illumination system includes an illumination module disposed at an exterior portion of a vehicle. The illumination module includes a reconfigurable display element and a light source operable to emit light. When the light source is operated, light emitted by the light source passes through the reconfigurable display element and the illumination module projects an icon established by the reconfigurable display element. The reconfigurable display element is reconfigurable to form the icon responsive to one of (i) a user selection of an icon and (ii) programming of the reconfigurable display element for an icon. When the light source is operated, light emitted by the light source passes through the reconfigurable display element and the illumination module projects the icon of the reconfigurable display element onto a surface exterior of the equipped vehicle.

Abstract: A method for generating an output for controlling a vehicular function of a vehicle includes providing (i) a vehicular sensing device having at least one illumination source operable to backlight a plurality of icons, each icon representative of a respective vehicle function, and (ii) a plurality of sensors, each sensor having a respective field of sensing associated with a respective icon of the plurality of icons. With the vehicular sensing device disposed at a vehicle, and with the at least one illumination source activated to backlight the plurality of icons, the backlit icons are viewable at an exterior portion of the vehicle, and the sensors sense movement of a person's hand or foot in a field of sensing of one of the sensors, and a controller generates an output to control the vehicular function that is represented by the respective backlit icon associated with that sensor.

Abstract: An exterior rearview mirror assembly configured for mounting at an exterior portion of a vehicle includes a mounting arm configured for attachment at the vehicle, a mirror head disposed at an end of the mounting arm and movable relative to the mounting arm, and an electrically operated actuator operable to move the mirror head relative to the mounting arm. The mirror head includes a mirror reflective element that, when the actuator is electrically operated, moves in tandem with the mirror head. The actuator, with the mounting arm attached at the exterior portion of the vehicle, and when the actuator is electrically operated, moves the mirror head relative to the mounting arm to vertically and horizontally adjust a rearward field of view of a driver of the vehicle who is viewing the mirror reflective element.

Abstract: A tailgate illumination system includes an illumination device having (i) a tailgate bracket configured for mounting at a tailgate of a vehicle and (ii) a pivot bracket pivotally mounted at the tailgate bracket. The pivot bracket supports a light source that, when powered, emits light. With the tailgate bracket mounted at the vehicle tailgate, the pivot bracket pivots relative to the tailgate bracket responsive to gravitational force acting on the pivot bracket as the tailgate moves from a closed position to an opened position. With the tailgate bracket mounted at the vehicle tailgate, and with the tailgate in the closed position, light emitted by the light source, when powered, illuminates a ground region rearward of the vehicle. With the tailgate bracket mounted at the vehicle tailgate, and when the tailgate is in the opened position, light emitted by the light source, when powered, illuminates the ground region rearward of the vehicle.

Abstract: A vehicular sensing device for a vehicular function control system includes a plurality of sensors and at least one illumination source operable to backlight a plurality of icons at a cover element, each icon of the plurality of icons representative of a respective vehicle function. With the vehicular sensing device disposed at a vehicle, and with the at least one illumination source activated to backlight the plurality of icons, the backlit icons are viewable at an exterior portion of the vehicle, and each sensor of the plurality of sensors has a respective field of sensing associated with a respective icon of the plurality of icons. Responsive to sensing by one of the sensors of proximity or movement of a user in the field of sensing of that sensor, a controller generates an output to control the vehicle function that is represented by the respective backlit icon associated with that sensor.

Abstract: A vehicular vision system includes at least a sideward-viewing side camera at a side of a vehicle, a rearward-viewing rear backup camera, and a ground illumination light module disposed at the side of the vehicle and including at least one light emitting diode and a freeform optic. The vehicular ground illumination light module, when the light emitting diode is electrically powered so as to emit light through the freeform optic, illuminates a ground region at that side of the vehicle. The illuminated ground region includes an illuminated side ground region at least partially along the side of the vehicle and an illuminated rearward ground region rearward of a rear portion of the vehicle. The illuminated ground region is at least in part viewed by the sideward-viewing side camera and the rearward-viewing rear backup camera. A portion of the illuminated side ground region is illuminated with a luminance of at least 10 lux.

Abstract: A vehicular ground illumination module includes first, second and third icon LEDs, and first, second and third masks associated with respective ones of the first, second and third LEDs. A ground illumination LED and a freeform optic of the module function to, when the ground illumination LED electrically powered, illuminate the ground adjacent the side of the vehicle at which the module is mounted, with a ground illumination region of the ground being illuminated at a ground illumination intensity and an icon region of the ground being illuminated at an icon illumination intensity that is less than the ground illumination intensity. When the first, second and third icon LEDs are individually electrically powered to emit light, light emitted by the LEDs passes through the respective masks to project first, second and third projected images that provide animated images at the icon region of the ground adjacent the vehicle.

Abstract: A method for extending and retracting a handle of a door handle assembly for a door of a vehicle includes providing a door handle assembly having a base portion, a handle portion that is movably attached at the base portion, and an electrically operable actuator that operates to move the handle portion relative to the base portion. A control controls operation of the actuator to move the handle portion between a recessed position and a partially extended position. Responsive to detecting presence of an authorized user, a sensing system determines a motion vector of the user that is indicative of a direction that the user is moving relative to the vehicle. Responsive to determining that the determined motion vector is indicative of the user approaching the door of the vehicle, the control controls operation of the actuator to move the handle portion to the partially extended position.

Abstract: An illumination system for a vehicular tailgate includes a tailgate bracket at the tailgate of the vehicle, an illumination device pivotally mounted at the tailgate bracket, and a weighted arm pivotally mounted at the tailgate bracket. The weighted arm has a pivot end and a weighted end opposite the pivot end. Pivotal movement of the weighted arm about the pivot end imparts pivotal movement of the illumination device. As the tailgate of the vehicle pivots between its raised position and its lowered position, the weighted arm imparts pivotal movement of the illumination device due to gravitational force at the weighted end of the weighted arm, such that light emitted by the illumination device illuminates the same ground region. The illumination device may project an icon and part of a light-transmitting element through which the emitted light passes may magnify the projected icon when the tailgate is in the lowered position.

Abstract: A vehicular ground illumination light module includes at least one light emitting diode and a freeform optic disposed in front of the emitting diode. The vehicular ground illumination light module, when disposed at a side of a vehicle, and when the light emitting diode is electrically powered so as to emit light through the freeform optic, illuminates a ground region at that side of the vehicle. The illuminated ground region includes an illuminated side ground region at least partially along the side of the vehicle and an illuminated rearward ground region rearward of a rearmost portion of the vehicle. The illuminated ground region is at least in part within the fields of view of a sideward-viewing side camera and a rearward-viewing rear backup camera disposed at the vehicle. A portion of the illuminated side ground region is illuminated with a luminance of at least 10 lux.