Retractable Vehicle Mirror Patents (Class 359/841)
  • Patent number: 11975654
    Abstract: A vehicular exterior rearview mirror assembly includes a mirror head pivotally mounted at a mounting base configured for attachment at a side of a vehicle. The mirror head accommodates a reflective element. A powerfold actuator is operable to pivot the mirror head relative to the mounting base between at least an extended position and a folded position. The powerfold actuator includes a primary detent state that is engaged to maintain the mirror head at the extended position when the mirror head is pivoted via the powerfold actuator to the extended position. When the mirror head is manually moved from the folded position to the extended position, the powerfold operator is in a secondary detent to maintain the mirror head at the extended position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2023
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2024
    Assignee: Magna Mirrors of America, Inc.
    Inventors: Kenneth C. Peterson, Mitchell J. Wesley
  • Patent number: 11970112
    Abstract: A vehicular exterior rearview mirror assembly includes a powerfold actuator electrically operable to pivot a mirror head relative to a mounting base. The powerfold actuator includes a biasing element disposed between an upper housing and an upper end of a pivot tube and releasably retains the powerfold actuator in at least one detent state. The powerfold actuator includes (i) a lower detent disposed between the base portion and a lower housing, (ii) an output gear disposed between the lower housing and the upper housing and (iii) an upper detent disposed between the lower housing and the upper housing. When the powerfold actuator is in a primary detent state, the lower detent and the output gear are rotationally fixed relative to the pivot tube and the upper detent is axially movable along the pivot tube. When the mirror head is manually moved, a secondary detent state is engaged.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2023
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2024
    Assignee: Magna Mirrors of America, Inc.
    Inventors: Matthew V. Steffes, Mitchell J. Wesley
  • Patent number: 11807168
    Abstract: Mechanism (1) to support at least one device (7) installed outside a vehicle (2), the mechanism (1) comprising: —a support base (3) fixed on the vehicle (2), —a wing (6) pivotally attached to the support base (3), the at least one device (7) being fixed to the wing, —a driving module (4) movably attached to the support base (3), —the support base (3) comprising a cam (8) enabling a linear displacement of the driving module (4) along the cam (8), —an arm (5) having one extremity (9) connected to the driving module (4) and an other extremity (10) connected to the wing (6) so that the arm (5) drives the folding and/or unfolding of the wing (6) according to the displacement of the driving module (4) along the cam (8).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2023
    Assignee: Volvo Truck Corporation
    Inventor: Nicolas Berne
  • Patent number: 11794648
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2023
    Assignee: MAGNA MIRRORS OF AMERICA, INC.
    Inventors: Darryl P. De Wind, Eric S. Deuel, Justin E. Sobecki, Joseph R. Mambourg, Keith D. Foote, Niall R. Lynam
  • Patent number: 11623568
    Abstract: A vehicular exterior rearview mirror assembly includes a mounting arm and a mirror head having a mirror reflective element. An electrically-operated actuator includes a first attachment element that attaches at an actuator-mounting bracket of the mounting arm and a second attachment element that attaches at the mirror head. The actuator includes first and second motors that are electrically operated to cause adjustment of the mirror head relative to the mounting arm about respective first and second pivot axes. A mounting post of the mounting arm passes through an opening of the mirror head, the opening providing clearance between the mirror head and the mounting arm to allow movement of the mirror head relative to the mounting arm during electrical operation of the actuator when the base mounting portion of the vehicular exterior rearview mirror assembly is mounted at the exterior portion of the side door of the equipped vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2023
    Assignee: MAGNA MIRRORS OF AMERICA, INC.
    Inventor: Robert L. Esser
  • Patent number: 11472341
    Abstract: In a vehicle door mirror, bottomed first and second tubular parts are provided integrally with a base plate portion of an end wall so as to protrude to a mirror side and a cover side from the base plate portion, the first tubular parts having first recesses formed therein respectively, the first recesses opening to the cover side, the second tubular parts having second recesses formed therein respectively, the second recesses opening to the mirror side, the first recesses and the second recesses being arranged alternately, and peripheral walls of the alternately arranged first tubular parts and second tubular parts are formed integrally and continuously with each other such that wall parts, that are part of the peripheral walls and respectively disposed between the alternately arranged first recesses and second recesses, are formed so as to be common to the first tubular parts and the second tubular parts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2022
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Honda Lock
    Inventors: Takehito Yamashita, Masakazu Tada
  • Patent number: 11458896
    Abstract: In a vehicle door mirror, an electric retraction unit is disposed between a mirror housing and a shaft pivotably supporting a base end part of the mirror housing, and at least three housing fastening parts are fastened to the mirror housing and provided integrally with a unit constituent member forming part of the electric retraction unit. A vibration suppression arm part is provided integrally with the unit constituent member and extends in a direction that goes away from at least two of the at least three housing fastening parts. A remaining one housing fastening part of the at least three housing fastening parts is formed in a tip end part of the vibration suppression arm part. Accordingly, the vehicle door mirror can give an effective vibration suppression effect while enhancing the workability and suppressing any increase in the cost.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2022
    Assignees: Kabushiki Kaisha Honda Lock, Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kenji Kenmochi, Yukinori Kawano, Yuki Ishibashi, Takeshi Sasaki, Takuro Hashimoto
  • Patent number: 11358527
    Abstract: A power telescoping external vehicle rearview assembly comprising a drive gear assembly for telescopically moving a rearview head between a retracted and an extended position is disclosed. An embodiment of the rearview assembly comprises a bracket mountable to a vehicle, a rearview head telescopically mounted to the bracket via a plurality of arm assemblies, a rearview element mounted to the rearview head, an electric motor mounted to the rearview head, and a gear assembly connected between the motor and the plurality of arm assemblies. An embodiment of the gear assembly comprises pinion drive gear assemblies with rolling clutches for selectively disengaging the motor from the arm assemblies, a fixed clutch assembly for transferring power from the motor to the pinion drive gear assemblies, and a drive shaft connecting the fixed clutch assembly to the pinion drive gear assemblies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2022
    Assignee: Motherson Innovations Company Limited
    Inventors: Douglas James Wilson, Kenneth Gira, Chad Meyea
  • Patent number: 11325534
    Abstract: An assembly includes a head assembly for an external rear view device to be attached to a motor vehicle, a lower casing element, an upper casing element, an articulation assembly, a bezel assembly for carrying at least one rear view element, and a hinge connection between the bezel assembly and a first sub assembly provided by at least the lower casing, the articulation assembly and attachment means with the articulation assembly being mounted on the attachment means or the attachment means being mounted on the articulation assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2022
    Assignee: SMR Patents S.à.r.l.
    Inventors: Andrew Lettis, Callum Scott-Collins, Graham Rehill
  • Patent number: 11256264
    Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for controlling operations of autonomous vehicles and systems in, for example, logistics yards at distribution, manufacturing, processing and/or other centers for the transfer of goods, materials, and/or other cargo. In some embodiments, an autonomous yard tractor or other vehicle can include one or more systems for locating an over-the-road trailer parked in a yard of a distribution center, engaging the trailer, and moving the trailer to a loading dock for loading/unloading operations in accordance with a workflow procedure provided by a central control system. In other embodiments, an autonomous yard tractor can locate the trailer at the loading dock after the loading/unloading operations, engage the trailer, and move the trailer to a parking location in the yard.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2022
    Assignee: ASSA ABLOY Entrance Systems AB
    Inventors: Richard K. Hoofard, Daryl Day, L. Blake Whitley
  • Patent number: 11230228
    Abstract: A pivot detent system acts between two components that rotate with respect to one another around an axis to control rotation from a first set position to at least a second set position with each of said two components including a cylindrical section and a resilient means being arranged within a cylindrical space between the cylindrical sections to act between the two components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2022
    Assignee: SMR Patents S.à.r.l.
    Inventors: Callum Scott-Collins, Andrew Lettis
  • Patent number: 11220217
    Abstract: A rearview device for a motor vehicle includes a moveable head assembly, an actuator assembly having a fixed part and a moveable part, the moveable part being attached to the head assembly, a motor cradle configured to attach the actuator assembly to the moveable head assembly. A method of assembling a rearview device comprises providing the rearview device and attaching the actuator assembly to the moveable head assembly using the motor cradle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2022
    Assignee: SMR Patents S.à.r.l.
    Inventors: Andrew Lettis, Graham Rehill, Callum Scott-Collins
  • Patent number: 11175476
    Abstract: An adjustable mirror assembly includes a mirror having a reflective surface. The adjustable mirror assembly may include a first locking mechanism configured to lock a support in a finite number of discrete positions. The support may be movable between a lowered position and a raised position. The mirror may be pivotally mounted to the support and may be configured to pivot about a second pivot axis to orient the reflective surface of the mirror in an aft-facing direction in both the lowered position and the raised position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2021
    Assignees: MasterCraft Boat Company, LLC, Gere Marie Corporation
    Inventors: Ryan D. Lake, James G. Schultz, Gregory A. Mackall
  • Patent number: 11135976
    Abstract: A foldable exterior rearview mirror assembly for a vehicle includes a housing having a glass assembly secured thereto. A support arm mounts the housing an associated vehicle side door. The support arm has a closed end portion at least partially received within an aperture in an underside of the housing. A pivot shaft is mounted to the closed end portion of the support arm. The housing is foldable about the pivot shaft between a drive or use position and a folded or park position. The closed end portion of the support arm includes an opening, and a wiring harness for connection to associated electronics housed in the housing is received through the opening and routed beneath the pivot shaft into the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2021
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Jacob A. Rothschild, Oscar A. Caraan
  • Patent number: 11103093
    Abstract: Wind noise is suppressed from occurring in a gap between a support body and a housing body, without obstructing movement of the housing body with respect to the support body. An outer mirror device includes a mirror that assists visual recognition by an occupant of a vehicle, a visor that houses the mirror, a base that supports the visor such that the visor is capable of moving, and a seal member that is provided to the base. The seal member is separated from the visor when a speed of the vehicle is a predetermined speed or lower, and abuts the visor when the speed of the vehicle exceeds the predetermined speed so as to seal at least part of a space between the visor and the base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2021
    Assignee: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOKAI-RIKA-DENKI-SEISAKUSHO
    Inventor: Takehiro Hamada
  • Patent number: 11043907
    Abstract: An ultrasonic linear actuation device includes a mover and a plurality of stator sets. The mover includes at least one mover rack. The plurality of stator sets is located in correspondence with the mover. Each of the plurality of stator sets includes an actuating component and a plurality of stator racks. The actuating component is used for stimulating corresponding one of the plurality of stator sets to generate standing-wave oscillations in an oscillation direction, such that the plurality of stator racks of each of the plurality of stator sets can engage the at least one mover rack of the mover to allow the stator racks to mesh the corresponding mover rack and thus to displace the mover in a moving direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 24, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2021
    Assignee: INDUSTRIAL TECHNOLOGY RESEARCH INSTITUTE
    Inventors: Han-Ping Yang, Cheng-Ping Yang, Kun-Ju Xie, Shou-Cheng Ma
  • Patent number: 10913396
    Abstract: Method and apparatus are disclosed for adjustment of vehicle rearview mirror displays. An example vehicle includes a rearview camera for capturing an image, a rearview mirror display positioned at a fixed orientation that is to present a portion of the image, a housing to rotate behind the rearview mirror display, and a sensor to detect a orientation of the housing. The example vehicle also includes a controller to adjust, based upon the orientation of the housing, the portion of the image presented via the rearview mirror display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2021
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Jonathan Diedrich, Eric L. Reed, Adil Nizam Siddiqui
  • Patent number: 10807534
    Abstract: Crest-valley repeated shapes that are fitted to each other by a biasing force of a spring are disposed so as to be opposed to each other in opposed surfaces that are opposed to each other and rotate relative to each other between a view device base side and a view device rotating section side. Respective height maintaining protrusions are disposed so as to be opposed to each other in the opposed surfaces. Upon the view device rotating section being rotated from an extended position toward a forward-tilted position by an external force, respective top surfaces of the height maintaining protrusions are brought into abutment with and slide on each other in a position in which abutment between respective top surfaces of the crests of the crest-valley repeated shapes is cancelled, to maintain a height of the view device rotating section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2020
    Assignee: MURAKAMI CORPORATION
    Inventors: Masahiro Motomiya, Kenji Ichikawa, Takayuki Miyazaki, Mizuki Toyama
  • Patent number: 10793072
    Abstract: This invention intends to prevent generation of abnormal sound. A motor shaft is inserted in a center hole of a worm and fitted in the center hole in a direction around an axis of the worm. A distal end of the worm is received in a bearing recess. A worm wheel engages with the worm. A radial gap and rotational play are formed between the motor shaft and the center hole of the worm. A radial gap is formed between the distal end of the worm and the bearing recess. The gap between the distal end of the worm and the bearing recess is formed so as to have a size that prevents an outer circumferential surface of the distal end of the worm and an inner circumferential surface of the bearing recess from coming into contact with each other when the worm is rotating.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2020
    Assignee: MURAKAMI CORPORATION
    Inventors: Masahiro Motomiya, Kenji Ichikawa, Takayuki Miyazaki, Mizuki Toyama
  • Patent number: 10780829
    Abstract: A vehicle side mirror (22) housing (12) base (17) and mirror (23) to view behind you. A vehicle side mirror (22) is concealed and revealed through an opening in the vehicle body (11) automatically when started, turned off, in park, in autonomous mode or manually with a switch, key fob or voice command. When concealed in the container (16) the vehicle allows for more room to pass and less damage to the un-exposed vehicle side mirror (22), when driving or in autonomous mode the vehicle side mirror (22) is concealed thus the vehicle can have an increase in fuel economy do to the decrease of the drag coefficient.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2020
    Inventor: Richard David Van Houten, II
  • Patent number: 10688912
    Abstract: An illumination device includes: a predetermined range illumination section capable of illuminating a predetermined range with illumination light emitted from a mobile object; and an eye direction detection section for detecting the direction of the eyes of a driver of the mobile object and/or the direction of the face of the driver. The predetermined range illumination section controls the distribution of the illumination light or the on/off of the illumination light based on the direction of the eyes of the driver and/or the direction of the face of the driver, detected by the eye direction detection section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2020
    Assignee: Dai Nippon Printing Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Makio Kurashige
  • Patent number: 10543788
    Abstract: A mobile device holder for a rear-view mirror of a vehicle may include a mirror housing and a mobile device bracket arranged at least partially therein in a stored position, and a deployment mechanism connected to the bracket and including a torsion spring configured to rotatedly hinge the bracket from the stored position to a deployed position extending out of the housing in response to actuation of the torsion spring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2020
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Omar Antonio Ramirez Pavon, Edgar Javier Ortega, Leonardo Alonso Huitron, Allan Alberto Mejia Jaramillo
  • Patent number: 10533305
    Abstract: A first stereo camera has a first image pick-up portion and a second image pick-up portion arranged on the right side of the first image pick-up portion in a lateral direction of a vehicular main body. A second stereo camera has a third image pick-up portion and a fourth image pick-up portion arranged on the right side of the third image pick-up portion in the lateral direction of the vehicular main body. The first image pick-up portion and the third image pick-up portion constitute a left image pick-up portion group. The second image pick-up portion and the fourth image pick-up portion constitute a right image pick-up portion group. The left image pick-up portion group and the right image pick-up portion group are arranged at a distance from each other in the lateral direction of the vehicular main body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2020
    Assignee: KOMATSU LTD.
    Inventors: Akiyoshi Deguchi, Shun Saito, Hiroyoshi Yamaguchi, Shun Kawamoto, Taiki Sugawara
  • Patent number: 10501016
    Abstract: A motor vehicle according to an exemplary aspect of the present disclosure includes, among other things, a side mirror assembly having a mirror housing and a mirror. The mirror housing is moveable between a normal position and a partially-folded position, and the mirror is moveable relative to the mirror housing such that a line of sight remains the same in the normal and partially-folded positions. A method is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2019
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Stuart C. Salter, Paul Kenneth Dellock, Keith Hoelscher, Erick Michael Lavoie, Pietro Buttolo
  • Patent number: 10495755
    Abstract: Automobile ultrasonic detection method and a sensor are provided. Specifically, a plurality of microphones in the sensor are controlled to work cooperatively, and the microphones respectively transmit or receive detection signals to or from the outside by adopting different working frequencies in a mutually spaced working time sequence; and in a detection cycle of a single microphone, the sensor completes multiple times of detection to improve the detection response speed of the sensor. Through specific drive and control of the electronic circuit unit on the microphones with different frequencies, the detection response speed of the ultrasonic sensor can be greatly improved. The sensor applied to an automobile also further improves the driving safety of the automobile.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2019
    Inventor: Wuqiang Chen
  • Patent number: 10486600
    Abstract: Systems are presented for improving side mirror functionality of a vehicle. In one embodiment, the systems involve a side mirror with an adjustable profile. The systems include an actuator for altering the adjustable profile of a mirror in response to signals from a sensor (e.g., a camera). The mirror is coupled to a side of the vehicle through the actuator. In another embodiment, the systems involve an integrated side mirror. The systems include a first transmissive optic, a second transmissive optic, and at least one optical element that enable a field of view to be seen through a portion of the vehicle. In an additional embodiment, the systems involve a display system for integrating side-mirror functionality into a display image. The display system includes an image processing unit and a display unit for forming a display image at a location visible to a driver. The display image includes a field of view imaged by a sensor. Other systems are presented.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2019
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: David G. Havskjold, Arthur Y. Zhang, Hyungryul Choi, Matthew E. Last, Clarisse Mazuir
  • Patent number: 10491793
    Abstract: An imaging system attaches to a frame on an underside of a vehicle to form an enclosure with an open bottom. A fixed camera is mounted in the enclosure having a first field of view directed through the open bottom. A reflector is supported by a carrier mechanism having a linear section and a rotary section. The linear section is extendable between a retracted position which stows the reflector inside the enclosure and an extended position which deploys the reflector through the open bottom. The rotary section rotates the reflector into an alignment with the camera to provide a reflected field of view along the underside of the vehicle. A controller is coupled to the carrier mechanism for selectably deploying the reflector through the open bottom for limited periods to capture images during predetermined conditions and otherwise retracting the reflector into the enclosure for shielding from an external environment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2019
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Mahmoud Yousef Ghannam, Brian Bennie, Swadad A. Carremm
  • Patent number: 10421403
    Abstract: A wind noise reduction apparatus for a motor vehicle includes a mirror housing, a mirror held in the mirror housing and a control module. That control module is configured to displace the mirror housing to reduce wind noise while simultaneously displacing the mirror to maintain a constant visual field.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2019
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologie, LLC
    Inventor: Nolen Thomas Barnes, III
  • Patent number: 10391941
    Abstract: In a vehicular door mirror device, a main body section of a motor is supported by an assembly tube of a case in a horizontal direction, and a gear plate is supported by a support tube of the case in the horizontal direction. Therefore, dimensional variation in the horizontal direction between central axis lines of an output shaft of the motor and the gear plate can be suppressed, and variation in meshing amount of a worm gear of the output shaft and the gear plate, and a worm shaft, can be suppressed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2019
    Assignee: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOKAI-RIKA-DENKI-SEISAKUSHO
    Inventor: Shigeki Yoshida
  • Patent number: 10315578
    Abstract: A vehicle modular side view mirror assembly is disclosed. The mirror base has a first section capable of attachment to a vehicle and a second section capable of attachment to a mirror head, wherein the second section is movable relative to the first section. The mirror assembly can include a mirror head having a reflective surface and a motor for moving the mirror head relative to a mirror base, the mirror head detachably connectable to the mirror base. Lidar sensors can be mounted in addition to, or in place of, the side view mirrors. Interchangeable modular heads can allow a user to customize the vehicle to have mirror heads, sensors, both, or neither. Mirror bases can move, allowing the mirrors and/or sensors to be positioned at different angles. In some configurations, the position of the sensors can be dynamically adjusted according to the speed and/or direction of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2019
    Assignee: FARADAY&FUTURE INC.
    Inventors: Richard S. Kim, Hong S. Bae, Skyler R. Lund, Brian Sung Oh, Page Brullau Beermann, Charles Edward Spencer, Zu-Ning Chen, Christopher W. Lamorte, Calvin Liu, Padmanabhan Kumar
  • Patent number: 10308183
    Abstract: A folding device to move a mirror head relative to a mirror foot of a motor vehicle exterior mirror. The folding device includes a carrier operatively connected to one of the mirror head or the mirror foot, a motor attached to the carrier, the motor having a motor shaft, an output drive operatively connected to one of the mirror head or the mirror foot, a gear mechanism to operatively connect the output drive to the motor shaft, and a pressure device operatively connected to the carrier to engage and press the motor shaft against the motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2019
    Assignee: MAGNA Auteca GmbH
    Inventors: Reinhard Fuchs, Bernhard Schadler
  • Patent number: 10093378
    Abstract: A side mirror for a straddle vehicle includes: a mirror stay including a base end portion attached to a vehicle body of a motorcycle (straddle vehicle); and a mirror portion including a mirror and provided at a tip end portion of the mirror stay. The mirror stay includes a first stay portion and a second stay portion which branch from the base end portion to extend toward the tip end portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2018
    Assignee: KAWASAKI JUKOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Hideyuki Kato
  • Patent number: 10088680
    Abstract: The invention relates to a head-up display (1) comprising: a reflecting mirror (9) held by a mirror holder (15) articulated about a pivoting axis (17); and a motor-driven system (31) for pivotably moving said reflecting mirror (9), comprising a motor unit (33), characterised in that the motor-driven system (31) comprises a connecting rod (35) extending in a direction perpendicular to the pivoting axis (17), the first end portion (35) of said connecting rod being engaged with the mirror holder (15) in an articulated manner, and a second end portion (39) thereof, opposite the first (37), being engaged with a rotary output body (47, 49) of the motor unit (33).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2018
    Inventors: Henry Beraud, Patrick Corduan
  • Patent number: 10065555
    Abstract: A lighting system of a vehicle is provided herein. A projector is coupled to a side structure of the vehicle. A sensor detects a remote device carried on a person approaching the vehicle. Based on a detected location of the remote device relative to the vehicle, the projector projects a light pattern onto a ground surface to define an illuminated path leading up to the vehicle and pointing towards the person.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2018
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Nathan Jamar Abrams, David Randolph Roberts
  • Patent number: 10035459
    Abstract: A rear view mirror assembly having a base portion to be fixed on the motor vehicle and a movable portion attached to the base portion. Said portions can be positioned at least in an operating position and in a folded position and define an interface having teeth for raising and lowering the base portion relative to the movable portion when they are rotated. A biasing mechanism may also be provided for holding the base portion against the movable portion. Contact areas protrude from said teeth that may provide additional resistance against rotation of the movable portion to the base portion through an angle of rotation ? of at least about 10° from the folded position to the operating position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2018
    Assignee: FICO MIRRORS FRANCE S.A.S.
    Inventor: Daniel Louis Millot
  • Patent number: 10012942
    Abstract: A drive device, which is incorporated in an image forming apparatus, includes a drive motor and a plurality of gears driven by the drive motor. The plurality of gears include at least two gears disposed coaxially with each other and have a plurality of meshing portions. Each meshing portion is formed between a pair of gears of the plurality of gears. A difference between respective gear mesh frequencies of the plurality of meshing portions is set equal to or smaller than 100 Hz.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2018
    Assignee: RICOH COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Masahiro Ishida, Naoki Matsuda
  • Patent number: 9994155
    Abstract: A sleeve 15 is formed on a mirror base 10. An opening 28a is formed in a mirror head 20. The sleeve 15 has an outer peripheral surface including a first outer peripheral surface 15a and a second outer peripheral surface 15b. The second outer peripheral surface 15b is located further in an inward radial direction of the sleeve 15 than the first outer peripheral surface 15a. The second outer peripheral surface 15b is formed so as to extend smoothly in a circumferential direction of the sleeve. A passage 40, which guides wind entering the mirror head 20, is formed between the second outer peripheral surface 15b and an inner peripheral surface of the opening 28a.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2018
    Assignees: ISHIZAKI HONTEN CO., LTD., HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Teiji Nishimoto, Hiroaki Ohtagaki, Tomoya Morimura, Kazuaki Hiwatashi, Takafumi Usui
  • Patent number: 9919653
    Abstract: An adjustable mirror assembly. The adjustable mirror assembly includes one or more mirrors that are affixed to a front portion of a vehicle and configured to view the underside of the vehicle. The mirrors allow for both vertical movement and horizontal and vertical angular adjustment. Thus, the mirrors can have a field of view of the underside of the vehicle, which may include a blade for grading road and ground surfaces. In one embodiment, the mirrors are controllable from a control box positioned within the vehicle by a vehicle operator. Further, one or more light sources can be activated to illuminate a desired area for improved vision in low and no light conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2018
    Inventor: John O'Connor
  • Patent number: 9862322
    Abstract: A mirror assembly includes an adjustable support system for supporting a mirror. The adjustable support system includes a first peripheral support element and a second peripheral support element, each having an adjustable height, and optionally a third, central support element having a fixed height. Each of the first and second peripheral support elements is coupled with a respective linear actuator for adjusting their respective heights, thereby adjusting and/or rotating the mirror. In some embodiments, additional peripheral elements are included at opposite sides of each of the first and second peripheral support elements to provide additional balance and/or dampening when the mirror is adjusted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2018
    Assignee: ROSCO, INC.
    Inventors: Benjamin Englander, Julian Serer
  • Patent number: 9855983
    Abstract: A rectifier that is installed on a vehicle which includes a front shield at a front of a vehicle compartment, a hood in front of the front shield, a cowl between a back edge of the hood and a lower end of the front shield, and a fender on an outside of the hood and the cowl in a vehicle width direction, the rectifier including a rectifier member that is installed at a region on a side surface of the fender and adjacent to the back edge of the hood, and has a negative pressure generation part which causes an airflow created when the vehicle travels to generate a negative pressure backward. The front shield is shaped like a curved surface that projects toward a front of the vehicle. At least a part of the negative pressure generation part is disposed in front of a shield extension virtual curve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2018
    Assignee: SUBARU CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yusaku Dogahira, Naoto Watanabe, Hiroshi Niitsu, Kento Ota, Hisafumi Nakaura, Hiroshi Natsui
  • Patent number: 9829883
    Abstract: A system for backing a trailer with a vehicle is provided herein and includes a mobile electronic device with which a user inputs an intended backing path for the trailer. A controller autonomously controls the vehicle to back the trailer according to the intended backing path. The controller communicates with a sensing system to determine if the user has lost sight of at least one of the vehicle and the trailer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2017
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Erick Michael Lavoie, Zheng Hu, Donald Jacob Mattern
  • Patent number: 9718407
    Abstract: An exterior rearview mirror system for a vehicle includes an exterior rearview mirror assembly having a mounting portion mountable at a side of a vehicle and a mirror head portion pivotally adjustable relative to the mounting portion. The mirror assembly includes an actuator operable to impart pivotal movement of the mirror head portion relative to said mounting portion. The actuator includes a first motor and a second motor that are operable in tandem to cooperatively cause a common drive gear of a gear system to be driven to pivot the mirror head portion relative to the mounting portion. Operation of the first and second motors is synchronized and causes the common drive gear to rotate. A shutoff circuit is operable to determine a stalled condition and, responsive to such determination, is operable to deactivate driving of the common drive gear by the at least two motors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2017
    Assignee: MAGNA MIRRORS OF AMERICA, INC.
    Inventors: Justin E. Sobecki, Eric S. Deuel
  • Patent number: 9610896
    Abstract: A adjusting device for a vehicular mirror directly transmits any forces exerted on the mirror between a base member and a rotating member when the mirror is not being adjusted. This permits a small electric motor to be used that can withstand only comparatively small forces exerted on the mirror while the mirror is being adjusted. The device includes the motor, a cylindrical base, a rotating member and a driven member. The mirror is adjusted when the motor drives the rotating member, and the rotating member is uncoupled from the base member. When the motor rotates the driven member, the rotating member is forced axially apart from the base member as a decoupling element on the rotating member slides up an inclined portion on the driven member. When the motor is not driving the rotating member, the rotating member is uncoupled from the motor and couples to the base member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2017
    Assignee: Mekra Lang GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Werner Lang, Elmar Finkenberger, Albrecht Popp, Stefan Centmayer
  • Patent number: 9573526
    Abstract: A mirror bracket supports a mirror. A mirror bracket includes a base and an attachment member for attaching the base to a vehicle. A member moves relative to the base. The member is movable in a rotational or linear direction. The member is urged opposite to the rotational or linear direction. The member includes a mirror receiver where the mirror is coupled to the member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2017
    Assignee: Quadratec, Inc.
    Inventor: Thomas N. Kelly
  • Patent number: 9522627
    Abstract: A communication system, including an apparatus, method and program, is provided for communicating a message from a vehicle to a location. The communication system detects a distance to an object that is located at the location and a speed of the vehicle. A target distance is then calculated on the basis of the detected distance to the object and the detected speed of the vehicle. A determination is made as to whether the object is configured for communication with the vehicle. According to the determination, a message is communicated to the object from the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2016
    Inventor: Steven Schraga
  • Patent number: 9440587
    Abstract: An exterior rearview mirror assembly for a vehicle includes a mounting portion mountable at a side of a vehicle and a mirror head portion pivotally adjustable relative to the mounting portion. An actuator is operable to impart pivotal movement of the mirror head portion relative to the mounting portion to adjust the mirror head portion relative to the side of the vehicle at which the mounting portion is mounted. The actuator includes a first motor and a second motor operable in tandem to cooperatively drive a common drive gear of a gear system to adjust the mirror head portion relative to the mounting portion. Operation of the first and second motors is synchronized. Operation of the first motor drives a first gear that rotatably drives the common drive gear and operation of the second motor drives a second gear that rotatably drives the common drive gear.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2016
    Assignee: MAGNA MIRRORS OF AMERICA, INC.
    Inventors: Justin E. Sobecki, Eric S. Deuel
  • Patent number: 9435997
    Abstract: A rotary motion controller controlling the motion of a mirror in a projection system is described having a mounting element coupled to a support member. A two-axis coupling is provided with at least two input shafts coupled to two drive mechanisms. A channeled portion is provided in a second of the two input shafts through which the support member extends there through and is guided thereby and where the at least one support member is coupled to the first input shafts via an input coupling coupled to and driving the support member and a control input controlling the position of the at least two input shafts. A method of controlling a mirror in an underwater projection system is also provided along with a method of operating a controller for an underwater projection system and a further embodiment for providing movement of a mirror in an underwater projector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2016
    Assignee: Pentair Water Pool and Spa, Inc.
    Inventors: Rakesh Reddy, Bruce Johnson, Kevin Doyle, Gabriel Perez
  • Patent number: 9315154
    Abstract: An adjustable rearview mirror which allows the rear view mirror to be adjusted out of the viewing field of the windshield area to improve the driver and passenger experience in the motor vehicle. The adjustable rearview mirror generally includes a central slot in which a mirror arm is pivotally secured. A pair of retainer rods may be selectively extended across and retracted from the central slot with a trigger. When the retainer rods are retracted from the central slot, the mirror arm may be freely adjusted into various positions. When the retainer rods are extended across the central slot, the mirror arm may be locked into a particular position. Thus, the rearview mirror may be withdrawn from view when it is not necessary so as to allow an unobstructed view of the area surrounding the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2016
    Inventor: Richard C. Gibbs
  • Patent number: 9308866
    Abstract: A system of exterior mirrors having a mirror head and a mirror foot, the system including a first mirror which is configured to rotate about and also move vertically along a first axis defined by a first drive for the first mirror, and a second mirror which is configured to rotate about a second axis defined by a second drive for the second mirror.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2016
    Assignee: MAGNA Auteca AG
    Inventors: Martin Palvoelgyi, Bernhard Schadler, Reinhard Fuchs
  • Patent number: 9242607
    Abstract: An exterior rearview mirror assembly for a vehicle includes a mounting portion mountable at a side of a vehicle, a mirror head portion adjustably mounted at the mounting portion, and a reflective element at the mirror head portion. An actuator is operable to impart pivotal movement of the mirror head portion relative to the mounting portion and about a generally vertical pivot axis to pivotally adjust the mirror head portion relative to the side of the vehicle at which the mounting portion is mounted. The actuator comprises at least two motors and the motors are operable in tandem to cooperatively rotatably drive a common gear of a gear system to pivot the mirror head portion relative to the mounting portion. Responsive to a determination of the rotational movement being below a threshold speed, a shutoff circuit deactivates at least one of the motors irrespective of current draw by the motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2016
    Assignee: MAGNA MIRRORS OF AMERICA, INC.
    Inventors: Justin E. Sobecki, Eric S. Deuel