Mirror Patents (Class 219/219)
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Patent number: 11979951Abstract: A window operable to separate an interior from an exterior is disclosed. The window comprises a pressure pane and an anti-condensation assembly. The anti-condensation assembly is disposed in an interior direction relative the pressure pane. Further, the anti-condensation assembly comprises a substantially transparent substrate disposed in a spaced apart relationship relative the pressure pane. Additionally, the anti-condensation assembly comprises a resistively heatable layer associated with the first substrate. The resistively heatable layer is operable to generate heat when an electrical current is applied thereto. Accordingly, application of power to the resistively heatable layer may serve to reduce or eliminate the presence of visible condensation in the window.Type: GrantFiled: October 8, 2020Date of Patent: May 7, 2024Assignee: GENTEX CORPORATIONInventors: Henry A. Luten, David I. Driscoll, Steven J. Veenman, Kevin L. Ash
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Patent number: 11351331Abstract: A respiratory humidification system humidifies a flow of respiratory gases supplied to a user. The system can include a main housing that receives a humidification chamber, a heating plate included in the main housing and positioned to contact the humidified chamber and transfer heat to the humidifier chamber, and a heating element that provides heat to the heating plate. The heating element can include a temperature sensor disposed in a central region of the heating element. Disposing the temperature sensor in the central region can reduce a likelihood that conductors of the heating element will cause an incorrect temperature measurement by the temperature sensor.Type: GrantFiled: December 7, 2018Date of Patent: June 7, 2022Assignee: Fisher & Paykel Healthcare LimitedInventors: Lloyd Dylan Kimble, Weng Ip Tong, Houde Huang, Andrew Chi Lup Lau, Emily Joyce Hargrave-Thomas, Simon John Gray, Timothy James Beresford Sharp, Sean Joel Babbage, Hayk Noobar Antranik Yaghobian
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Patent number: 11237387Abstract: Disclosed examples include lens cleaning systems, drivers and operating methods, including a transducer mechanically coupled to a lens, a driver to provide an oscillating drive signal to the transducer and a controller to control the drive signal frequency to vibrate the lens at frequencies in a range of interest. The controller determines a measured resonant frequency of the lens cleaning system in the range of interest according to a transducer feedback signal and selectively performs a lens cleaning operation if the measured resonant frequency differs from a baseline resonant frequency of the lens cleaning system for a clean lens.Type: GrantFiled: May 1, 2017Date of Patent: February 1, 2022Assignee: TEXAS INSTRUMENTS INCORPORATEDInventors: David Patrick Magee, Stephen John Fedigan
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Patent number: 11007941Abstract: An adjusting system for a rear view element of a rear view device for a vehicle, preferably a motor vehicle, comprises a drive housing with an electrical interface, a socket and a mounting plate for the rear view element. The socket is in particular in the form of a jack socket, having a first end attached to the drive housing and an opening accessible at a second end of the socket, which is located opposite the first end of the socket. The mounting plate for the rear view element comprises a pin, in particular in form of a jack plug, wherein at least part of the pin is suited to be inserted into the opening of the socket, and the pin is adapted to mechanically and electrically connect the mounting plate to the drive housing via the socket. Also, the adjusting system relates to a rear view device and to a method for manufacturing the rear view device.Type: GrantFiled: January 26, 2017Date of Patent: May 18, 2021Assignee: SMR Patents S.à.r.l.Inventors: Romeo Wieczorek, Peter Hein, David Jaeger
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Patent number: 10841984Abstract: A side mirror structure includes: a substrate; a mirror glass that is disposed above the substrate; a heat generation circuit that is provided at a first area on a top surface of the substrate, and transmits heat to the mirror glass; and a light emission circuit that is provided at a second area on the top surface of the substrate, and displays a signal on the mirror glass.Type: GrantFiled: September 19, 2018Date of Patent: November 17, 2020Assignees: HYUNDAI MOTOR COMPANY, KIA MOTORS CORPORATIONInventor: Hae Won Jeong
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Patent number: 10732717Abstract: A tactile sensation presenting device includes a vibrating element configured to present vibration information, a heater configured to present heat information, and a first heat insulating member disposed between the vibrating element and the heater. The heater is provided above the vibrating element and is provided at a contacting region which can be touched by an operating body.Type: GrantFiled: May 23, 2019Date of Patent: August 4, 2020Assignee: ALPS ALPINE CO., LTD.Inventors: Kunio Sato, Daisuke Takai, Yuzuru Kawana, Katsunari Sato
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Patent number: 10698085Abstract: There is provided a near-infrared sensor cover to be applied to a near-infrared sensor including a transmitting unit that transmits near-infrared radiation and a receiving unit that receives near-infrared radiation reflected by an object. The near-infrared sensor cover includes a cover main body portion disposed with a thickness direction thereof to be coincide with a transmission and reception direction of the near-infrared radiation and covering the transmitting unit and the receiving unit, and a heater wire disposed on the cover main body portion to generate heat when energized. The heater wire includes plural straight line portions that extend in parallel to each other and plural connection portions that connect end portions of adjacent straight line portions. An interval between adjacent straight line portions ranges from 3 mm to 10 mm, and a diameter of the heater wire ranges from 0.01 mm to 0.2 mm.Type: GrantFiled: March 19, 2019Date of Patent: June 30, 2020Assignee: TOYODA GOSEI CO., LTD.Inventors: Koji Okumura, Shintaro Okawa, Hiroaki Ando, Hideto Maeda, Kimihiro Iimura
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Patent number: 10507876Abstract: A vehicle side mirror includes: a mirror assembly including a mirror facing a rearward direction; a housing having a rearward-facing opening defining an interior space which receives at least a portion of the mirror assembly, exposing the mirror assembly from the rearward direction; a cap covering a front portion of the housing, the cap having an inlet formed therethrough; and a shroud disposed between the cap and the housing that is configured to direct air passing through the inlet around the mirror assembly to an outlet defined by an opening between a rear end of the cap and a rear end of the shroud.Type: GrantFiled: December 14, 2017Date of Patent: December 17, 2019Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors CorporationInventor: David W. Curtis
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Patent number: 10440782Abstract: A panel member for an appliance includes an outer wrapper and an inner liner that define a panel opening therethrough, a panel window disposed in the opening and having at least one glazing member that is disposed within a glazing frame, a conductive coating applied to at least one surface of the at least one glazing member and at least one electrical conductor disposed proximate a portion of the glazing frame, the electrical conductor in communication with the conductive coating.Type: GrantFiled: December 21, 2015Date of Patent: October 8, 2019Assignee: Whirlpool CorporationInventors: Duane M. Kobos, Michael T. Moore
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Patent number: 10231287Abstract: An electric heating device (20) is described which has at least one first electrically conductive component (21), at least one heating layer (22) and at least one second electrically conductive component (23). According to the invention, it is envisaged that the first electrically conductive component (21) and/or the second electrically conductive component (23) is/are produced and/or arranged on the heating layer (22) by means of a thermal spraying process. Alternatively or additionally, according to the invention, it is envisaged that the electrically conductive components (21, 23) and the heating layer (22) are arranged with respect to one another in such a way that a current flow perpendicularly to the plane of the heating layer (22) and/or in the direction of the plane of the heating layer (22) is realized or can be realized. In order to produce an assembly (10), such a heating device (20) can preferably be arranged on a substrate element (11). Furthermore, a suitable production method is described.Type: GrantFiled: April 19, 2013Date of Patent: March 12, 2019Assignees: UNIVERSITAT BREMEN (BCCMS), NEUE MATERIALIEN BAYREUTH GMBH, FUTURECARBON GMBHInventors: Vasily Ploshikhin, Andrey Prihodovsky, Walter Schutz, Stefan Forero, Alexander Ilin, Helmut Bleier
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Patent number: 10161660Abstract: The device provides the possibility of feeding test signals to a thermoelectric module by virtue of the use of controllable switches and also makes it possible to increase test criteria and to detect faults and the causes of said faults at early stages outside of the use process of the thermoelectric module (TEM), as well as in periods between use. This technical result is achieved in that the device comprises a DC source, a measurement circuit, a first, a second, a third and a fourth controllable switch, which are used for feeding test signals and are switched on and off by a temperature controller. The first and the second controllable switches are used for connection to the DC source, and the third and fourth switches are grounded with the possibility of switching from the third controllable switch over to the first controllable switch and from the fourth controllable switch over to the second controllable switch.Type: GrantFiled: September 19, 2013Date of Patent: December 25, 2018Assignee: OBSHCHESTVO S OGRANICHENNOY OTVETSTVENNOSTYU “KOMPANIYA RMT”Inventors: Semen Aleksandrovich Glyazer, Gennady Gyusamovich Gromov, Aleksei Leonardovich Ogryzko
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Patent number: 10080447Abstract: A controller for trimming power used by a heated glass temperature-controlled storage device comprising a frame and a door, the door comprising a door rail and a glass pane, wherein the glass pane includes a glass heater circuit, the controller comprising a variable impedance; a first impedance; a low pass filter; a diode for alternating current (DIAC); and a triode for alternating current (TRIAC), wherein the controller is configured to adjust voltage from the AC power input to a first voltage; filter the first voltage; generate a gate current when the DIAC is on; generate a glass current when the TRIAC is on; and provide the glass current to the glass heater circuit when the TRIAC is on, wherein the variable impedance is adjusted so power used by the glass heater circuit is below a first predetermined value.Type: GrantFiled: June 11, 2015Date of Patent: September 25, 2018Assignee: Anthony, Inc.Inventors: Kathleen Bridget Holst, Paul J. Artwohl
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Patent number: 9943221Abstract: A medical, in particular dental, diagnostic device having means for image capture and a hand piece that has a window located in the optical path of the means for image capture, wherein there are means for heating the window formed by a resistance heater.Type: GrantFiled: March 17, 2010Date of Patent: April 17, 2018Assignee: KALTENBACH & VOIGT GMBHInventors: Sven Erdmann, Andre Hackel
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Patent number: 9655504Abstract: Disclosed embodiments integrate a camera into an intraoral mirror. Integrating a camera into an intraoral mirror provides an efficient way to record and display what is visible to the healthcare provider in the mirror.Type: GrantFiled: November 23, 2016Date of Patent: May 23, 2017Assignee: DENTAL SMARTMIRROR, INC.Inventors: Gidon Oded Elazar, Dan Zidkiahu Harkabi, Joshua Israel Wachspress, Yael Miriam Harkabi
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Patent number: 9585549Abstract: Disclosed embodiments integrate a camera into an intraoral mirror. Integrating a camera into an intraoral mirror provides an efficient way to record and display what is visible to the healthcare provider in the mirror.Type: GrantFiled: November 23, 2016Date of Patent: March 7, 2017Assignee: DENTAL SMARTMIRROR, INC.Inventors: Gidon Oded Elazar, Dan Zidkiahu Harkabi
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Patent number: 9496483Abstract: A vibration module based on a piezoelectric device includes: a piezoelectric device; a vibration plate connected to one side of the piezoelectric device by a medium of an adhesive and an intermediate material; the intermediate material interposed between the piezoelectric device and the vibration plate; and a molding part formed on the side of the piezoelectric device where the intermediate material is not formed.Type: GrantFiled: August 28, 2013Date of Patent: November 15, 2016Assignee: WISOL CO., LTD.Inventors: Jae Hyung Choi, Yukihiro Noro, Yo Sep Choi, Jung Rae Noh
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Patent number: 9326326Abstract: A comfort bathtub has at least one heated wall portion which is comprised by a composite pliable heat generating envelope integrated with the wall portion. The heat generating envelope has a heated mesh sandwiched between a pair of protection film sheets bonded together about the heated mesh to isolate the heated mesh from molded material of the bathtub. The composite pliable envelope has electrical connections secured to a power supply. A temperature sensor is in communication with the envelope for sensing the temperature thereof. A voltage regulator controls the power supply through a control circuit to regulate the heat generated by the heated mesh. The composite pliable envelope is configured to heat a discrete wall portion of the bathtub to provide a discrete external heated surface of the bathtub.Type: GrantFiled: June 30, 2011Date of Patent: April 26, 2016Assignee: GESTION ULTRA INTERNATIONALE iNCInventors: Henry Brunelle, Louis Gendreau, Danny Grenier, Guy Baillargeon, Dave Thomas
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Publication number: 20150060431Abstract: A mirror assembly can include a mirror secured to a housing portion. In some embodiments, the mirror assembly can include a heating element disposed between the housing portion and the mirror. The heating element can heat a surface of the mirror to a pre-determined temperature, preferably above the dew point.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 2, 2014Publication date: March 5, 2015Inventors: Frank Yang, David Wolbert, Guy Cohen, Joseph Sandor, Orlando Cardenas, Frederick N. Bushroe
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Patent number: 8895897Abstract: A heatable glazing is disclosed in which electrical heating elements such as fine wires are connected to a busbar. The resistance of the busbar is chosen such that, at the supply voltage of the installation, the busbar provides heating of a portion of the glazing in which it is located.Type: GrantFiled: October 18, 2010Date of Patent: November 25, 2014Assignee: Pilkington Group LimitedInventors: Jonathan Barclay Dixon, Mark Andrew Chamberlain
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Patent number: 8895900Abstract: The nano particle generator includes a body, a heating unit to heat a material received in the body such that the material is evaporated, a channel extending through the body such that a fluid to condense the evaporated material flows along the channel, and an insulating member to prevent heat generated from the heating unit from being transmitted to the body. The heating unit heats the material while the heating unit is in direct contact with the material, and the heating unit is in point or line contact with the insulating member. The heating unit has a plurality of locating parts formed therein such that the material is located in the locating parts. Different materials are located in the locating parts, and the locating parts are heated to temperatures at which the respective materials are evaporated in the same time.Type: GrantFiled: December 23, 2008Date of Patent: November 25, 2014Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.Inventors: Jun Ho Ji, Hyung Soo Noh
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Patent number: 8866047Abstract: A thermoelectric deicer sheet comprising a flexible sheet fabricated of static cling vinyl embedded with heater elements with a cord extending therefrom with a 12 volt adapter to plug into a vehicle's cigarette lighter and a user control unit having a means to set the temperature, time of initiation and duration of activity thereof. The sheet is applied to the interior surface of the windshield by applying pressure thereagainst to form a static bond therebetween and is peeled off when operation is complete.Type: GrantFiled: February 20, 2010Date of Patent: October 21, 2014Inventor: Darren Parker
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Patent number: 8674271Abstract: A breathable electrical heater element for a topical application device such as a wound dressing or a therapeutic heating pad is disclosed. The heater element is formed by photochemically etching a track pattern onto a porous metallised fabric (e.g. nickel coated woven polyester). The heater element has a skin or wound contact layer laminated to the front face of the heater element. An adhesive layer is laminated to the back face of the heater element. The adhesive layer forms an overhang to provide an adhesive border around the wound contact layer to adhere the device to the skin of a patient. Therapeutically active drugs (optionally microencapsulated) may be incorporated into the skin or wound contact layer. Operation of the heater element causes the skin or wound contact layer to release the active drugs to the skin or wound of the patient. Appropriate control of the temperature of the heater element allows control of the release of the active drugs.Type: GrantFiled: June 21, 2010Date of Patent: March 18, 2014Assignee: NEL Technologies LimitedInventor: Patrick Ferguson
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Patent number: 8653419Abstract: A window defroster assembly having a transparent panel and a defroster. The defroster includes a conductive layer applied over the panel and an electrically conductive heater grid formed integrally with the transparent panel. The heater grid includes a series of grid lines and at least a portion of the conductive layer is located between adjacent ones of the grid lines.Type: GrantFiled: December 28, 2005Date of Patent: February 18, 2014Assignee: Exatec LLCInventor: Keith D. Weiss
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Publication number: 20130306615Abstract: Portable apparatus for identifying and mitigating defects in electronic devices disposed on substrates or windows are disclosed herein. Such defects can be visually perceived by the end user. The substrates or windows may include flat panel displays, photovoltaic windows, electrochromic devices, and the like, particularly electrochromic windows.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 9, 2013Publication date: November 21, 2013Applicant: View, Inc.Inventor: View, Inc.
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Patent number: 8563899Abstract: A heated vehicle window includes at least one ply of a glazing material, provided with an antenna and an array of electrical conductors forming a heating circuit. The heating circuit comprises a plurality of electrical conductors and at least two busbars for supplying direct electrical current to which the electrical conductors are connected. A discrete electrically conductive layer is provided to cover at least a portion of at least two of the busbars in direct current electrical isolation therefrom. The busbars and the discrete electrically conductive layer act as a capacitor in the presence of alternating electrical current.Type: GrantFiled: October 27, 2009Date of Patent: October 22, 2013Assignee: Pilkington Automotive Deutschland GmbHInventor: Detlef Baranski
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Patent number: 8558141Abstract: A variable reflectance mirror reflective element assembly for an exterior mirror assembly includes a heater pad disposed at the fourth surface of the rear substrate. The heater pad includes a first connector that electrically connects with the transparent electrically conductive coating disposed at the second surface of the front substrate, and a second connector that electrically connects with the metallic electrically conductive coating disposed at the third surface of the rear substrate. The heater pad includes third and fourth connectors that provide, at least in part, electrical conductive connection with a heating element. The connectors are part of a unitary multi-pin connector that is configured to connect with a corresponding wire harness connector to provide electrical power to the heating element and to the transparent electrically conductive coating and the metallic electrically conductive coating of the reflective element when the exterior minor assembly is mounted at the vehicle.Type: GrantFiled: August 30, 2012Date of Patent: October 15, 2013Assignee: Donnelly CorporationInventors: Donald C. Byers, Hamid Habibi, Niall R. Lynam, Ian A. McCabe
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Patent number: 8530792Abstract: A heatable side window assembly for an automobile, wherein the automobile includes a sideview mirror mounted generally adjacent the heatable side window assembly. The heatable side window assembly includes a glass sheet having an interior surface and an exterior surface and one or more continuous, electrical conductor strips mounted to the interior surface of the glass sheet. The conductor strip outputs radiant heat in response to an electrical current flow therethrough. The conductor strip is positioned such that it generally bounds, but does not enter, an area defined by an operator's line of sight to the sideview mirror of the vehicle. A pair of conductor pads are electrically coupled to the ends of the conductor strip. A switch is provided for selectively outputting a control signal and a controller is electrically coupled between a power supply and the pair of conductor pads.Type: GrantFiled: May 17, 2005Date of Patent: September 10, 2013Assignee: AGC Automotive Americas Co.Inventor: Robert Dyrdek
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Patent number: 8481857Abstract: The present invention describes a windowpane, in particular vehicle windowpane, having at least one flat-conductor soldered connecting element for making electrical contact, which flat-conductor soldered connecting element has at least one electrically insulating plastic layer and one electrically conductive layer or foil which is connected to a soldering surface for soldering on a line connection which leads on from the windowpane, and which flat-conductor soldered connecting element is adhesively attached to an outer surface of the windowpane, characterized in that at least one electrically insulating buffer layer is provided between a section of the electrically conductive layer or foil with a freely exposed soldering surface, on the one hand, and the surface of the windowpane, on the other.Type: GrantFiled: December 5, 2008Date of Patent: July 9, 2013Assignee: Saint-Gobain Glass FranceInventor: Bernhard Reul
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Patent number: 8450660Abstract: A system for effectively defrosting a plastic window includes a transparent plastic panel, a heater grid having a plurality of grid lines that are integrally formed with the plastic panel, and equalizing means for equalizing the electrical current traveling through each of the grid lines.Type: GrantFiled: June 18, 2010Date of Patent: May 28, 2013Assignee: Exatec LLCInventors: Keith D. Weiss, Yana Shvartsman
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Patent number: 8445819Abstract: A breathable electrical heater element for a topical application device such as a wound dressing or a therapeutic heating pad is disclosed. The heater element is formed by photochemically etching a track pattern onto a porous metallised fabric (e.g. nickel coated woven polyester). The heater element has a skin or wound contact layer laminated to the front face of the heater element. An adhesive layer is laminated to the back face of the heater element. The adhesive layer forms an overhang to provide an adhesive border around the wound contact layer to adhere the device to the skin of a patient. Therapeutically active drugs (optionally microencapsulated) may be incorporated into the skin or wound contact layer. Operation of the heater element causes the skin or wound contact layer to release the active drugs to the skin or wound of the patient.Type: GrantFiled: June 21, 2010Date of Patent: May 21, 2013Assignee: NEL Technologies LimitedInventor: Patrick Ferguson
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Patent number: 8410407Abstract: A heater element for formed components is disclosed, along with the final formed component itself. The heater element is produced by photochemically etching a suitable heater track pattern from porous metallized fabric such a nickel coated woven polyester. The heater element is located within a mold. Thermo-formable material is then applied to the mold and the final component is shaped according to the shape of the mold. The final component has a heater element located within it. The component may have microencapsulated agents for initiation by operation of the heater element. Furthermore, the final component may have one or more digital images printed onto the surface for the purposes of decoration or personalization.Type: GrantFiled: June 25, 2010Date of Patent: April 2, 2013Assignee: NEL Technologies LimitedInventor: Patrick Ferguson
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Patent number: 8378262Abstract: A defogging device for reducing fog on a surface of a substrate, which comprises a power unit and a heating element. The heating element is attached to the substrate, which comprises at least one carbon nanotube film comprising carbon nanotubes arranged substantially parallel to each other. The heating element transforms electricity into heat to vaporize fog of the first surface of the substrate when the heating element is connected to the power unit.Type: GrantFiled: July 26, 2010Date of Patent: February 19, 2013Assignee: Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.Inventors: Chao-Tsang Wei, Ga-Lane Chen
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Patent number: 8362401Abstract: A toner-fixing heater includes a substrate elongated in a first direction, a resistor formed on the substrate, a wiring portion connected with the resistor, and a protective film covering the resistor. The resistor includes two belt-like portions elongated in the first direction and spaced away from each other in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction. The resistor or the wiring portion includes a conductive portion for passing an electric current in the second direction. The conductive portion may have an edge extending in nonparallel to the first direction and the second direction, or may include a first layer and a second layer formed on the first layer, where the first layer is closer to the substrate than the second layer, and the edges of the second layer are located inward of the edges of the first layer as viewed in the first direction.Type: GrantFiled: August 26, 2008Date of Patent: January 29, 2013Assignee: Rohm Co., Ltd.Inventors: Yasuyuki Aritaki, Shinobu Obata, Teruhisa Sako
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Patent number: 8344288Abstract: A vehicular rearview assembly with a heating element. The heating element is affixed behind and in thermal communication with the mirror element of the assembly. The heating element includes a plurality of heating zones that operate in alternation according to a pre-determined time-sequence. A peripheral area of the mirror element is heated up to at least as high a temperature as an inner area of the mirror element. Switching the heating zones on and off so as to have only one heating zone on at a time is determined by a controlling circuitry at least a portion of which may be separated from the assembly and disposed in a different part of the vehicle.Type: GrantFiled: January 12, 2010Date of Patent: January 1, 2013Assignee: Gentex CorporationInventors: Michael J. Door, Craig R. Myers
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Patent number: 8310843Abstract: There is provided a terminal sealing device that can realize easy change of a protective cover, reduce the number of components used, and be efficiently placed in a small space. A power supply terminal sealing device 10 includes a molded thermoplastic resin member 11 that seals a power supply terminal 13 provided on a surface of a glass plate 16, and a locking hole 12 formed integrally with the molded thermoplastic resin member 11, and the locking hole 12 engages a protective cover 18 that houses the molded thermoplastic resin member 11.Type: GrantFiled: January 24, 2008Date of Patent: November 13, 2012Assignee: Nippon Sheet Glass Company, LimitedInventors: Yasukazu Kanatani, Kazuhiro Fujiwara
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Patent number: 8283612Abstract: The invention provides a planar element which is intrinsically heatable and which is particularly suitable for attachment to multi-dimensionally curved surfaces. For this purpose the planar element features particularly high deformability, achieved in accordance with the invention through a planar element having a layer sequence comprising a heating layer and a contacting layer, each of these two layers being composed of a polymeric material based on elastomers and/or on plastic polymers which have a particular elongation at break and at the same time a particular tensile elasticity modulus. Furthermore, the invention provides an adhesively bonded assembly comprising a bonding substrate and a planar element of the aforesaid kind, a method of producing a planar element of the aforesaid kind, and the use of such a planar element for heating an adhesively bonded assembly.Type: GrantFiled: February 25, 2010Date of Patent: October 9, 2012Assignee: Tesa SEInventors: Klaus Keite-Telgenbuescher, Monika Junghans, Bernd Dietz, Udo Dominikat, Frank Domann, Ute Ellringmann, Veronika Ramm
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Patent number: 8263913Abstract: The planar heater includes an insulating substrate, an electric conductive film disposed on the substrate, a plurality of electrodes both attached to one side of the electric conductive film, and an insulating film covering the electric conductive film. The electric conductive film is preferably formed of material having a resistance temperature coefficient of 420 ppm/° C. or higher at normal temperature.Type: GrantFiled: March 17, 2008Date of Patent: September 11, 2012Assignee: Seiko Epson CorporationInventor: Kesatoshi Takeuchi
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Patent number: 8258433Abstract: A vehicular interior rearview mirror assembly includes an electro-optic reflective element, a photo sensor and a light concentrator. The electro-optic reflective element has a front substrate with a first surface and a transparent second surface electrically conductive coating disposed on a second surface, and the electro-optic reflective element has a rear substrate with a third surface transflective metallic reflector disposed at a third surface thereof. The photo sensor is disposed behind a fourth surface of the rear substrate and operable to detect light passing through the transflective metallic reflector and the electro-optic reflective medium disposed between the second and third surfaces. The light concentrator is disposed between the photo sensor and the fourth surface of the rear substrate, and the light concentrator receives light passing through the transflective metallic reflector of the electro-optic reflective element and concentrates light onto a light sensing surface of the photo sensor.Type: GrantFiled: March 21, 2011Date of Patent: September 4, 2012Assignee: Donnelly CorporationInventors: Donald C. Byers, Hamid Habibi, Niall R. Lynam, Ian A. McCabe
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Publication number: 20120188625Abstract: A micromechanical device includes a micromechanical functional structure and an electromagnetic radiation heating associated with the micromechanical functional structure, which is formed to cause a spatially and temporally defined temperature or a spatially and temporally defined temperature course in the micromechanical functional structure.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 29, 2012Publication date: July 26, 2012Applicant: Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft zur Foerderung der angewandten Forschung e.V.Inventors: Thilo Sandner, Harald Schenk, Joerg Heber, Thomas Klose, Andreas Bergmann, Christian Gerwig, Thomas Knieling
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Patent number: 8173936Abstract: A reflective element assembly is associated with at least two functional elements, each functional element including at least one functional element electrical contact. The reflective element assembly has a reflective element and reflective element carrier. A power distributor is disposed between the reflective element and the carrier, and includes an integrated heater and power distribution element, a support member having a reverse face and an obverse face, an array of electrically-conductive tracings, and a plurality of discrete electrical contacts points for electrical coupling of the array with the at least two functional elements. At least one of the plurality of discrete electrical contacts points is adapted for electrical communication with at least one functional element electrical contact point of a first functional element, and at least one functional element electrical contact point of a second functional element. The power distributor has a singular module connection.Type: GrantFiled: December 28, 2010Date of Patent: May 8, 2012Assignee: Magna Mirrors of America, Inc.Inventor: Don S. Rawlings
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Patent number: 8014711Abstract: A fixing unit includes a rotatable fixing member and a rotatable pressure applying member. The rotatable fixing member has a heat generating layer to generate heat when subject to a magnetic flux. The rotatable pressure applying member contacts the rotatable fixing member and applies pressure to the fixing member. The rotatable fixing member and the rotatable pressure applying member form a nip therebetween, to which a recording medium is passed through to fix an image on the recording medium. The rotatable fixing member includes a magnetism regulating layer deformable when subject to pressure from the rotatable pressure applying member.Type: GrantFiled: July 31, 2007Date of Patent: September 6, 2011Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.Inventors: Akiko Ito, Tadashi Ogawa, Hiroshi Seo
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Patent number: 8008607Abstract: Methods of forming a layered heater are provided that comprise at least one resistive layer comprising a resistive circuit pattern, the resistive circuit pattern defining a length, a thickness, and a spacing, wherein the thickness varies along the length of the trace of the resistive circuit pattern for a variable watt density. The methods include achieving the variable thickness by varying a dispensing rate of a conductive ink used to form the resistive circuit pattern, varying the feed rate of a target surface relative to the dispensing of the ink, and overwriting a volume of conductive ink on top of a previously formed trace of the resistive circuit pattern.Type: GrantFiled: March 31, 2006Date of Patent: August 30, 2011Assignee: Watlow Electric Manufacturing CompanyInventors: Kevin Ptasienski, James McMillin, Thomas T. Nagl, Rolando O. Juliano
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Patent number: 7997777Abstract: A lighted exterior rearview mirror system includes an exterior rearview mirror assembly including a reflective element and an electrically-operable actuator. The exterior rearview mirror assembly includes a breakaway joint assembly. The reflective element has an electrically powered heater operable to remove ice or dew from the reflective element. The exterior rearview mirror assembly includes a turn signal indicator lamp that has a light source and a lens. The lamp is included in the exterior rearview mirror assembly and unaffected by operation of the actuator. The breakaway joint assembly includes a wire-way through which a wire cable passes. The wire cable includes wires for operating the actuator, the heater and the lamp. The lens of the lamp has a portion that faces rearward of the vehicle and a portion that wraps around an outward side of a casing of the exterior rearview mirror assembly.Type: GrantFiled: August 11, 2010Date of Patent: August 16, 2011Assignee: Magna Mirrors of America, Inc.Inventors: Todd W. Pastrick, Linda K. Molenkamp, Roger L. Koops
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Patent number: 7998885Abstract: This invention relates to a liquid penetration-resistant water-vapor-permeable multi-layer composite material and process for making the same comprising a porous nanofiber web of polymeric fibers, wherein the polymeric fibers of the nanofiber web have a diameter of less than 1000 nanometers and wherein the nanofiber web has a basis weight of 5 to 40 grams per square meter and a surface roughness (?RMS) of 5 to 15 micrometers and where, the porous nanofiber web is coated on a surface with a layer of water-vapor-permeable, hydrophilic, monolithic, water transport material.Type: GrantFiled: June 30, 2008Date of Patent: August 16, 2011Assignee: E. I. du Pont de Nemours and CompanyInventors: Jill A. Conley, George Bruce Palmer, IV
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Publication number: 20110168687Abstract: A vehicular rearview assembly with a heating element. The heating element is affixed behind and in thermal communication with the mirror element of the assembly. The heating element includes a plurality of heating zones that operate in alternation according to a pre-determined time-sequence. A peripheral area of the mirror element is heated up to at least as high a temperature as an inner area of the mirror element. Switching the heating zones on and off so as to have only one heating zone on at a time is determined by a controlling circuitry at least a portion of which may be separated from the assembly and disposed in a different part of the vehicle.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 12, 2010Publication date: July 14, 2011Applicant: Gentex CorporationInventors: Michael J. Door, Craig R. Myers
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Patent number: 7968823Abstract: A wireless inductive coupling assembly for a heated glass panel assembly is provided that includes a metal oxide coated glass panel with a panel frame, an opening frame that cooperates with the coated glass panel frame to allow the panel to cover a panel opening, a receiving coil that is positioned in the panel frame and that is wired to the panel, and a sending coil that is positioned in the opening frame and that is wired to an electrical power source. When the electrical power source supplies electrical power to the sending coil, the sending coil wirelessly induces an electrical current in the receiving coil, which causes the dielectric panel to provide heat.Type: GrantFiled: June 7, 2006Date of Patent: June 28, 2011Assignee: Engineered Glass Products, LLCInventor: Peter F. Gerhardinger
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Publication number: 20110120983Abstract: A reflective element assembly for a vehicle exterior rearview mirror system comprises a reflective element having a reverse face and an obverse face, and a reflective element carrier. A power distributor disposed between the reflective element and reflective element carrier includes an integrated heater/power supply, a support member having a reverse face and an obverse face, an array of electrically-conductive tracings, and a plurality of discrete contact points for electrical coupling of the array with at least two functional elements. At least one of the plurality of discrete contact points is adapted for electrical communication with at least one functional contact point of a first functional element. At least one of the plurality of discrete contact points is adapted for electrical communication with at least one functional contact point of a second functional element. The power distributor comprises a singular module connection.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 28, 2010Publication date: May 26, 2011Applicant: Magna Donnelly Mirrors North America LLCInventor: Don S. Rawlings
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Patent number: 7910859Abstract: A heater pad for a variable reflectance mirror reflective element of a vehicular mirror assembly includes a flexible substrate, an electrically conductive heating element, and first and second electrically conducting elements. The first electrically conducting element is in electrical connection with a transparent second surface electrically conductive coating of the equipped mirror reflective element and the second electrically conducting element is in electrical connection with a third surface electrically conductive coating of the equipped mirror reflective element when the equipped mirror reflective element is normally equipped with the heater pad. The electrically conducting elements and the heating element are electrically isolated from one another.Type: GrantFiled: September 17, 2010Date of Patent: March 22, 2011Assignee: Donnelly CorporationInventors: Donald C. Byers, Hamid Habibi, Niall R. Lynam, Ian A. McCabe
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Patent number: 7863545Abstract: Disclosed herein is a nano particle generator that can reduce power consumption, can be miniaturized, and can generate nano particles having various different material characteristics at the same time. The nano particle generator includes a body, a heating unit to heat a material received in the body such that the material is evaporated, a channel extending through the body such that a fluid to condense the evaporated material flows along the channel, and an insulating member to prevent heat generated from the heating unit from being transmitted to the body. The heating unit heats the material while the heating unit is in direct contact with the material, and the heating unit is in point or line contact with the insulating member. The heating unit has a plurality of locating parts formed therein such that the material is located in the locating parts.Type: GrantFiled: August 23, 2006Date of Patent: January 4, 2011Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.Inventors: Jun Ho Ji, Hyung Soo Noh
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Patent number: 7858905Abstract: A vehicular mirror system includes an exterior mirror assembly having a reflective element for providing a rearward view to an occupant of a vehicle and a power distributor for distributing power from a single electrical power connector to a plurality of functional elements associated with the reflective element. The power distributor has a plurality of electrical leads corresponding to each functional element of the plurality of functional elements; the plurality of functional elements includes at least two functional elements selected from the group consisting of a dimming device, a heater, and a turn signal. The power distributor has at least one power lead for operative connection of the power distributor to an onboard power supply of the vehicle.Type: GrantFiled: July 17, 2007Date of Patent: December 28, 2010Assignee: Magna Mirrors of America, Inc.Inventor: Don S. Rawlings