With Switch Or Motor Controlling Mirror Movement Patents (Class 359/877)
  • Patent number: 11981262
    Abstract: A door mirror structure reduces vehicle width when the mirror is retracted, prevents vibration of the mirror when the vehicle is traveling, and improves visibility from the vehicle interior. Embodiments include a door mirror body unit; and a mirror base having a tip portion fixed to the door mirror body unit and a base end portion away from the tip portion. The base end portion is attached to the side door so that the door mirror body unit and the mirror base are movable between a mirror use position at which the mirror is visible from a vehicle interior and a retraction position located on an inner side in a vehicle width direction of the mirror use position. A driving unit moves the door mirror body unit and the mirror base between the mirror use position and the retraction position. The driving unit is located in the side door.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2022
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2024
    Assignee: MAZDA MOTOR CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yukihiro Moriyama, Atsushi Yakushinji
  • Patent number: 11945515
    Abstract: A utility vehicle including an operator cab, an operator support positioned within the operator cab and movable relative to the operator cab, a mirror positioned outwardly relative to the operator cab, and a control system including a controller in communication with the operator support and the mirror. The controller is configured to select a first setting from a first plurality of settings and a second setting from a second plurality of settings. Each setting of the first plurality of settings corresponding to one of a plurality of operations performed by the vehicle and each setting of the second plurality of settings corresponding to one of a plurality of operators. The controller is configured to adjust at least a position of the support relative to the cab and a position of the mirror relative to the operator cab based on the first setting and the second setting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2024
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventors: Brian M. Huenink, Gregory O. Mcconoughey
  • Patent number: 11945368
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to an adjustment device for adjusting an orientation of an external vision element of a vehicle about a first pivot axis and a second pivot axis. The adjustment device comprises a base for coupling to a vehicle; a frame pivotably coupled to the base about a first pivot axis and a second pivot axis; and a drive unit for driving the frame pivotally about the first pivot axis and the second pivot axis. The drive unit comprises a first electromotor connected to a first driven element for driving the frame in rotation about the first pivot axis, and a second electromotor connected to a second driven element for driving the frame in rotation about the second pivot axis. The second electromotor has a lower maximum power consumption compared to a maximum power consumption of the first electromotor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2024
    Assignee: MCi (Mirror Controls International) Netherlands B.V.
    Inventors: Paulus Gerardus Maria Van Stiphout, Hendrik Alfred Simeon De Vries, Marinus Jacobus Maria Van Zuilen, Emiel Sebastiaan Janssen, Anne Catharina Martha Bekker, Tom Adriaan Jansen, Arie Anthony De Kan
  • Patent number: 11913493
    Abstract: A joint device (1), which has a second joint body (3), which second joint body is pivotably mounted in a ball socket (9) of a first joint body (12) by means of a joint ball (8). The joint ball (8) is a hollow ball and has, on its inner peripheral surface (23), output teeth (33), with which, in the ball interior (25), the input gears (55, 56) of two drive units (4, 5) rotatably mounted on the first joint body (2) are in tooth engagement. By selective rotation of one or both drive units (4, 5), the second joint body (3) can be driven to perform a working pivoting movement (6) relative to the first joint body (2).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2024
    Assignee: Festo SE & Co. KG
    Inventor: Markus Aegerter
  • Patent number: 11560093
    Abstract: A vehicular mirror system includes: a driving mode acquiring unit configured to acquire one of a first driving mode in which a vehicle travels using an occupant's driving operation and a second driving mode in which the vehicle travels regardless of the occupant's driving operation as a driving mode; and a mirror control unit configured to change a reflectance of a vehicular mirror facing rearward according to a light intensity difference between a light intensity on a side in front of the vehicle and a light intensity on a side to the rear of the vehicle with respect to the vehicular mirror when the driving mode is the first driving mode and to keep the reflectance of the vehicular mirror in a state in which the reflectance is lower than that in a normal state when the driving mode is the second driving mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2023
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Tatsuya Shimizu
  • Patent number: 11402605
    Abstract: A scanning mirror for a laser scanning system includes a central axis, a mirror body, and a mirror surface on a front face of the mirror body. A first recess group is provided and includes a plurality of first recesses formed in the mirror body and arranged on a side of and spaced from the central axis as viewed from a back of the scanning mirror. A balancing mass is accommodated by the first recess group and includes at least one balancing body seated in at least one of the first recesses for balancing the scanning mirror. Each of the first recesses includes at least one radial stop against which the balancing body rests such that the balancing body is held in the first recess at a constant distance from the central axis. A method is also provided for balancing the scanning mirror.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2022
    Assignee: Scanlab GmbH
    Inventors: Mathias Strackharn, Manuel Winkler
  • Patent number: 11307404
    Abstract: A micromechanical micromirror array including a frame including a cutout, a micromirror device suspended on the frame in the area of the cutout in a first plane, a first pivoting vane device suspended on the frame protruding into the area of the cutout, coupled to the micromirror device via a first spring device, a second pivoting vane device suspended on the frame protruding into the area of the cutout, coupled to the micromirror device via a second spring device, a first drive device for deflecting the first pivoting vane device along a first axis, perpendicular to the first plane, and a second drive device for the antiphase deflection of the second pivoting vane device along the first axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2022
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Helmut Grutzeck, Timo Schary, Joerg Muchow, Philip Kaupmann
  • Patent number: 11187872
    Abstract: In an optical device, a movable unit includes a main body portion, a frame portion that surrounds the main body portion with a predetermined interval from the main body portion, and a plurality of connection portions which connect the main body portion and the frame portion to each other. A width of each of the connection portions is larger than an interval between the main body portion and the frame portion, and is smaller than a distance from a connection position with each of the connection portions in the frame portion to any of a connection position with each of a pair of first torsion support portions and a connection position with each of a pair of second torsion support portions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2021
    Assignee: HAMAMATSU PHOTONICS K.K.
    Inventors: Tatsuya Sugimoto, Tomofumi Suzuki, Kyosuke Kotani
  • Patent number: 11117521
    Abstract: A rear view assembly for a rear view device of a vehicle includes a rear view element, a carrier plate for the rear view element, and a heating and lighting unit arranged between the rear view element and the carrier plate. The heating and lighting unit may include a light module including a printed circuit board having at least one LED and having no power stripes, and a heater pad. The heater pad may include a circuit or printed circuit board, at least one recess or at least one transparent window, and first contacts or contact elements for contacting a printed circuit board of the light module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2021
    Assignee: SMR Patents S.à.r.l.
    Inventors: Andrew Brian Little, Gottfried Sailer, Andreas Hermann, Douglas Wilson, Anthony D'Andreas, Bernd Sülzle
  • Patent number: 10878769
    Abstract: An anti-glare display system is provided, including: at least one camera unit disposed on a moving device, at least disposed on a rear side of the moving device, and photographing a major image in a direction opposite to a moving direction; a processing unit electrically connected to the at least one camera unit to receive the major image and dividing the major image to obtain at least one sub-image; at least one display unit comprising an electrochromic element and electrically connected to the processing unit to receive and display the sub-image from the processing unit; and a microcontroller electrically connected to the processing unit and the at least one display unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2020
    Assignee: Ability Opto-Electronics Technology Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yeong-Ming Chang, Chien-Hsun Lai, Yi-Chi Cheng, Shou-Chih Cheng, Tzu-Hsuan Wei, Yao-Wei Liu
  • Patent number: 10703279
    Abstract: A system for adjusting vehicle mirrors is disclosed and includes a memory device including at least one saved mirror position corresponding with an identified trailer. At least one vehicle mirror is movable to an extended trailering position that corresponds with the saved mirror position. The memory device is part of a controller that moves the vehicle mirror to the saved position responsive to an indication that an identified trailer is hitched to the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2020
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Michael Dupuis, David Joseph Orris
  • Patent number: 10705335
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure provide a projection screen including a transflector, and a display adjustment assembly. The transflector has a front surface that reflects projected light. The display adjustment assembly is provided on the rear surface side of the transflector and is configured to adjust transparency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2020
    Assignee: BOE TECHNOLOGY GROUP CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Wei Wei
  • Patent number: 10464486
    Abstract: This invention relates to a view angle adjustment mechanism. A view element tilting section is tiltably supported by a tilting support section via an inner pivot and an outer pivot. The view element tilting section includes a view element holder holding a view element. The inner pivot and the outer pivot are formed between the tilting support section and the view element holder. The outer pivot has a structure in which an outer-pivot convex surface formed at the view element holder and an outer-pivot concave surface formed at the tilting support section are slidably fitted together. The outer-pivot convex surface is formed in an outer circumferential surface of an outer-pivot convex surface-forming annular wall formed at a back surface of the view element holder in an integrated manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2019
    Assignee: MURAKAMI CORPORATION
    Inventor: Naomi Sugimura
  • Patent number: 10464487
    Abstract: This invention relates to a view angle adjustment mechanism that causes a view element tilting section holding a view element to be supported by a tilting support section via a plurality of concentric pivots having different diameters, to perform view angle adjustment. An inner pivot is assembled by forcible fitting using elasticity of either or both of a pivot convex and a pivot concave without screw fastening. An outer pivot includes a plurality of elastic pieces disposed at a plurality of positions in a circumferential direction of a curved surface of either or each of both of an outer-pivot convex surface and an outer-pivot concave surface. The outer pivot is assembled by the forcible fitting in the inner pivot. The assembly causes the plurality of elastic pieces to elastically abut on an opposed curved surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2019
    Assignee: MURAKAMI CORPORATION
    Inventors: Naomi Sugimura, Yasushi Kobayashi
  • Patent number: 10386295
    Abstract: A vegetation index calculation method is a method for calculating a vegetation index indicating a vegetation state in an earth's surface using an imaging unit and a flight vehicle, and the vegetation index calculation method includes an illumination spectrum acquisition step of acquiring a spectrum of illumination light with which the earth's surface is irradiated and a reflection spectrum acquisition step of acquiring a reflection spectrum of the earth's surface by the illumination light. The vegetation index calculation method also includes a calibration step of calibrating the reflection spectrum using the illumination spectrum and a step of calculating the vegetation index of the earth's surface based on a calibrated spectrum obtained through the calibration step.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2019
    Assignee: Panasonic Intellectual Property Management Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kimiaki Toshikiyo, Bing Xue
  • Patent number: 10315575
    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 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 that are operable in tandem to cooperatively rotatably drive a gear to cause the mirror head portion to pivot relative to the mounting portion. Operation of the first motor is synchronized with operation of the second motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2019
    Assignee: MAGNA MIRRORS OF AMERICA, INC.
    Inventors: Justin E. Sobecki, Eric S. Deuel
  • Patent number: 10308184
    Abstract: A door mirror control device supplies drive voltages to respective lock detection sections in left and right door mirrors. If motors are driven in accordance with the drive voltages, the door mirrors are operated from one of a retracted position or a deployed position toward the other of the retracted position or the deployed position, and the motors stop after the door mirrors reach either the retracted position or the deployed position. Operating time determination sections determine operating times of the door mirrors from changes in values of operating currents. Voltage setting sections change settings for the drive voltages supplied to lock detection circuits of the door mirrors based on the operating times of the left and right door mirrors such that the operating times of the left and right door mirrors match each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2019
    Assignee: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOKAI-RIKA-DENKI-SEISAKUSHO
    Inventors: Tetsuyuki Hasegawa, Shinichi Miyazaki
  • Patent number: 10246017
    Abstract: This invention relates to a view angle adjustment mechanism. A view element tilting section is tiltably supported by the tilting support section. Upon a motor being driven, a nut member rotates together with a gear member, the nut member rises/falls along a male thread member, whereby the view element tilting section is tilted. At a barrel of the nut member, a protrusion is formed. The protrusion is fitted in a groove of the gear member and causes the nut member to rotate together with the gear member. At the tilting support section, a protrusion abutment portion is formed. When the nut member moves in a direction in which the nut member comes off from the male thread member, the protrusion abutment portion abuts on the protrusion and thereby prevents movement of the nut member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2019
    Assignee: MURAKAMI CORPORATION
    Inventors: Naomi Sugimura, Yasushi Kobayashi
  • Patent number: 10118451
    Abstract: A disclosed system and method for adjusting vehicle mirrors automatically moves mirror assemblies to an extended trailering position in response to initiation of a hitching operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2018
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Stuart C. Salter, Paul Kenneth Dellock, Pietro Buttolo, Erick Michael Lavoie, Keith Hoelscher
  • Patent number: 10059266
    Abstract: An adjustment unit for a rear view device for a vehicle includes a pivot and a carrier. The carrier is tiltably mounted to the pivot. The adjustment unit includes at least one first bending actuator, which has its largest dimension in a first direction and which is bendably adjustable in an angular or crosswise direction relative to the first direction. The first bending actuator has a first end fixed to a first fastening means and a second end fixed to the carrier. At least one second bending actuator has its largest dimension in a second direction oriented angularly or crosswise relative to the first direction and is bendable angular or crosswise relative thereto. The second bending actuator has a first end fixed to the first fastening means or a further fastening means and a second end fixed to the carrier. The adjustment unit is characterized in that the first direction of the first bending actuator and/or the second direction of the second bending actuator run through the center of the pivot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2018
    Assignee: SMR Patents S.à.r.l.
    Inventors: Urszula Kosidlo, Andreas Herrmann
  • Patent number: 10059285
    Abstract: A computing system for a vehicle is provided. The computing system includes one or more processors for controlling operation of the computing system, and a memory for storing data and program instructions usable by the one or more processors. The processors are configured to execute instructions stored in the memory to determine if a vehicle fuel level or battery power level is below a predetermined threshold. If the vehicle fuel level or battery power level is below the threshold, it is determined if at least one energy conservation measure has been pre-selected by a user. If at least one energy conservation measure has been pre-selected by a user, it is determined whether or not a user approves implementation of the at least one energy conservation measure. If a user approves implementation of the at least one energy conservation measure, the at least one energy conservation measure is implemented.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2018
    Assignee: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.
    Inventor: Christopher T. Tarte
  • Patent number: 9975489
    Abstract: Wing mirror unit, drive construction, and rotation sensor The invention relates to a wing mirror unit (1) for a motor vehicle. The unit comprises a mirror housing support (3) for attachment to a body (4) of the motor vehicle (2). The wing mirror unit further comprises a mirror housing (5) supported by the mirror housing support and pivotably arranged with respect to said support around a rotation axis (6) extending substantially in an upward direction. Furthermore, the unit comprises a drive, preferably an electric drive, for pivoting the mirror housing between a folded-out position of the mirror housing, in which the mirror housing extends substantially in a direction (7) away from the body of the motor vehicle, and a folded-in position of the mirror housing, in which the mirror housing projects less far and extends in a substantially rearward direction more alongside the body of the motor vehicle, and/or for pivoting the mirror housing between the folded-in position and the folded-out position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2018
    Assignee: MCi (Mirror Controls International) Netherlands B.V.
    Inventor: Stefan Frits Brouwer
  • Patent number: 9969334
    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 outboard end of the mounting arm and movable relative to the mounting arm, and an actuator operable to move the mirror head relative to the mounting arm. The mirror head includes a mirror casing and a frameless mirror reflective element fixedly attached at the mirror casing, with no part of the mirror casing disposed over the front surface of the mirror reflective element. The actuator is operable to move the mirror head relative to the mounting arm to vertically and horizontally adjust a rearward field of view of the driver of the vehicle who is viewing the mirror reflective element with the exterior rearview mirror assembly mounted at the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2018
    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: 9964762
    Abstract: The invention relates to an electric reflective plate device, which includes a rotary shaft, a reflective plate, a shaft set and a motor module. By the composition of above structure, the flip angle of the reflective plate may be adjusted by the motor module, and the previous flip angle may be memorized every time when the reflective plate is opened, so that the reflective plate may be quickly flipped to a desired angle, to thereby conveniently use a head-up display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2018
    Assignee: E-LEAD ELECTRONIC CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Stephen Chen
  • Patent number: 9827913
    Abstract: An exterior rearview mirror assembly includes a non-movable portion, a movable portion and a mirror head. The non-movable portion is configured for attachment at an exterior portion of a vehicle and the movable portion is movable relative to the non-movable portion. The mirror head is movable relative to the movable portion, and a mirror reflective element is fixedly attached at the mirror head. A first actuator is operable to move the movable portion relative to the non-movable portion about a first axis and a second actuator is operable to move the mirror head relative to the movable portion about a second axis. The first and second actuators are cooperatively operable to move the movable portion about the first axis and to move the mirror head about the second axis, and the mirror reflective element moves in tandem with movement of the mirror head.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2017
    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: 9784989
    Abstract: An image pickup apparatus comprises a mirror member rotatable between a first state arranged inside an image pickup optical path and a second state arranged outside the image pickup optical path, an abutting member that abuts against the mirror member in a case where the mirror member is the first state, and a bounce control member attached to the mirror member and configured to control a vibration of the mirror member in a case where the mirror member collides with the abutting member. An attachment part attached to the mirror member is formed at a first end of the bounce control member, a weight part is formed at a second end of the bounce control member, and an elastic deformation part, which is elastically deformable, is formed between the first and second ends of the bounce control member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2017
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Kazuaki Yamana
  • Patent number: 9713985
    Abstract: A vehicle rearview mirror system is described. A display device constructs an image by an image signal having been output from an image receiving unit of a vehicle-mounted camera and then causes a display screen to display the constructed image. A vehicle mirror main body incorporates the display device. A posture of the vehicle mirror main body is altered between a posture when a driver watches a vehicle rear side appearing in a half mirror and a posture when the driver watches an image which is displayed on the display screen. An operating lever member is employed to alter the posture of the vehicle mirror main body. A power supply switch switches on or off the display device in conjunction with operation of the operating lever member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2017
    Assignee: ICHIKOH INDUSTRIES, LTD.
    Inventor: Isao Konuki
  • Patent number: 9453985
    Abstract: A mirror driving device includes a lead screw configured to be driven by a drive source, a mirror member configured to be movable between a mirror-down position and a mirror-up position, a mirror driving member configured to rectilinearly move to drive the mirror member between the mirror-down position and the mirror-up position, and a restriction unit configured to switch between a restriction state that restricts a rectilinear movement of the mirror driving member and a restriction release state that releases the restriction state. The restriction unit switches between the restriction state and the restriction release state without allowing the mirror driving member to rectilinearly move when the mirror member is in the mirror-up position or the mirror-down position, and the mirror driving member rectilinearly moves in conjunction with driving of the lead screw after the restriction unit switches from the restriction state to the restriction release state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2016
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Kei Sato, Kentaro Watanabe
  • Patent number: 9340159
    Abstract: Moving a mover for mirror surface angle detection following a nut member along a male thread member in such a manner that the mover is rotatable relative to the nut member and is non-rotatable relative to the male thread member, without biasing the mover by means of a spring. A communication hole is provided in a male thread member along a shaft axis of the male thread member. A mover is inserted through the communication hole so as to be movable in an axial direction. A front end of the mover is connected to a position in a back of a front end of a nut member so as to be rotatable relative to the nut member around the axis of the nut member. A position detection device detects a position of the mover relative to a base member in a direction along the male thread member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2016
    Assignee: MURAKAMI CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kentaro Suzuki, Masahiro Motomiya
  • Patent number: 9333918
    Abstract: An exterior mirror arrangement for motor vehicles, in particular utility vehicles, has a holder mounted on a vehicle, a housing which is fastened, preferably latchably articulatedly connected, to the holder, and a holding member, which is displaceably received in the housing, for a vehicle exterior mirror. The housing has a housing portion which is formed in one piece from plastic and which alone guides the holding member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2016
    Assignee: MEKRA Lang GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Werner Lang, Elmar Finkenberger
  • Patent number: 9108567
    Abstract: A method for adjusting a luminosity of at least one headlight of a vehicle is described. The method includes a step of ascertaining an illumination intensity, the illumination intensity representing light that is incident at the vehicle. Furthermore, the method includes a step of determining a setpoint value for the luminosity while using the illumination intensity, the setpoint value being adjusted if the illumination intensity rises. The method also includes a step of providing a control signal for setting the luminosity of the at least one headlight while using the setpoint value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2015
    Assignee: ROBERT BOSCH GMBH
    Inventor: Johannes Foltin
  • Patent number: 9033526
    Abstract: A powerfold mechanism for an external rear view mirror is disclosed. The mechanism comprises: a powerfold housing mountable between a mirror housing and a vehicle mountable mirror base; a clutch member urged into engagement with the mirror, the clutch member allowing the mirror housing to be manually moved with respect to the mirror base; an electric drive train between the powerfold housing and the clutch member; and a drive stop movably mounted to the powerfold housing and having a drive stop face engagable with a drive stop detent mounted to the mirror base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2015
    Assignee: SMR Patents S.a.r.l.
    Inventors: Maarten Schuurmans, Garry Fimeri, Simon Belcher, Daniel Flynn
  • Patent number: 9028080
    Abstract: Foreign matter is effectively ejected from between a sliding portion and protruding portions. In a mirror surface angle adjustment device of a vehicle door mirror device, while a mirror holder is rotated and an angle of a mirror surface of a mirror is adjusted, a sliding portion of the mirror holder slides on protruding portions of the case. The protruding portions extend to be directed toward a rotating direction of the mirror holder. Therefore, when the sliding portion slides on the protruding portions, foreign matter is easily ejected from between the sliding portion and the protruding portions to sideward of the protruding portions, and foreign matter can be effectively ejected from between the sliding portion and the protruding portions. Therefore, the sliding portion can slide smoothly against the protruding portions, and the rotating of the mirror holder can be made stable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2015
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Tokai-Rika-Denki-Seisakusho
    Inventors: Nobuhiro Kudo, Masao Ayabe
  • Patent number: 9022586
    Abstract: A system and/or apparatus provided as a side-view or rear-view mirror for providing a plurality of independently moveable reflective surfaces to enable a driver increased visibility. To increase visibility for the driver, the system and/or apparatus includes a camera for providing images around a vehicle to the driver within a vehicle during low-light or poor lighting conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2015
    Assignee: Rosco, Inc.
    Inventor: Benjamin Englander
  • Patent number: 9022588
    Abstract: A mirror surface angle adjusting device includes: a pivot plate (10) which supports a mirror (6) and is attached to a holder (9) pivotably three-dimensionally on a pivot shaft (76); a bracket (8) disposed on a vehicle body; a mirror tilting drive section (11) contained between the bracket (8) and the holder (9) attached to the bracket (8); an operation shaft (44A, 44B) of the mirror tilting drive section (11), the operation shaft penetrating through the holder (9) and being connected to the pivot plate (10); a detection rod (101A, 101B) which moves following the pivot plate (10); an angle detection section (100) which detects a tilt angle of the pivot plate (10); a pivot depressed portion (80) into which the pivot shaft can be press-fitted; and a gear positioning rib (69) provided on an inner wall of the holder (9) to position the mirror tilting drive section (42).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2015
    Assignee: Mitsuba Corporation
    Inventors: Masaru Chino, Tetsuya Murakoshi, Hiroshi Morishita, Osamu Ichikawa
  • Patent number: 8998431
    Abstract: An exterior rearview mirror assembly is to be mounted to a vehicle and includes a pedestal, a mirror holder, a coupling member connected between the pedestal and the mirror holder, a sleeve mounted to the coupling member, an engagement member held between the coupling member and the pedestal, a first screwed fastener threaded with the pedestal, a limiting member mounted to the first screwed fastener, and a springy member held between the limiting member and the coupling member. The engagement member is engaged with the pedestal and the sleeve. When the engagement member is controlled to disengage selectively from the pedestal or the sleeve, an included angle between the coupling member and the pedestal can be adjusted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Inventor: Wen-Pin Tseng
  • Publication number: 20150070767
    Abstract: A variable wavelength interference filter includes: a first reflective film disposed on a face of a first substrate facing a second substrate; a second reflective film disposed on a face of the second substrate facing the first substrate and the first reflective film; a first electrode disposed on the face of the first substrate; and a second electrode disposed on the face of the second substrate. The second substrate includes a movable portion on which the second reflective film is disposed and a connection maintaining portion maintaining the movable portion to be movable in a substrate thickness direction, the connection maintaining portion circumscribes the movable portion and is thinner than the movable portion, and the second electrode is disposed on a portion of the second substrate that is thicker than the connection maintaining portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 13, 2014
    Publication date: March 12, 2015
    Inventors: Teruyuki NISHIMURA, Akira SANO
  • Publication number: 20150054953
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a rear-view mirror device for a windshield of a vehicle, which comprises: a) a mirror having a length that essentially extends along the entire length of said windshield, such that said mirror provides a maximize available field of view to a viewer being presence within the interior of said vehicle; b) a housing having a rear portion that is in abutting relation with the inner surface of the windshield for accommodating said mirror; and c) an adjusting mechanism adapted for adjusting the viewing angle of the mirror.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 24, 2013
    Publication date: February 26, 2015
    Inventor: Elian Erica Frank
  • Publication number: 20150022915
    Abstract: The present invention discloses a dish-type solar concentration device, comprising a reflection surface, a heat absorber and a dish-type support frame being provided above and below the reflection surface, respectively; further comprising a rigid turntable and a circular orbit fixed onto the ground, the rigid turntable being connected in a rotary manner to the circular orbit through a plurality of bearing wheels, at least one support and one fixed leg being provided on the rigid turntable, a driving mechanism for adjusting an elevation angle of the dish-type support frame being provided on the top end of the support, and the top end of the driving mechanism and the top end of the fixed leg being articulated to the dish-type supporting frame by two first horizontal articulating shafts parallel to each other. By such a structure, the stability and strength of the dish-type solar concentration device can be enhanced.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 22, 2013
    Publication date: January 22, 2015
    Inventors: Shuhui Wang, Minhui Wang, Bugen Wang, Yueying Li, Mi Mou, Min Huang
  • Publication number: 20140368941
    Abstract: A mirror driving device includes a lead screw configured to be driven by a drive source, a mirror member configured to be movable between a mirror-down position and a mirror-up position, a mirror driving member configured to rectilinearly move to drive the mirror member between the mirror-down position and the mirror-up position, and a restriction unit configured to switch between a restriction state that restricts a rectilinear movement of the mirror driving member and a restriction release state that releases the restriction state. The restriction unit switches between the restriction state and the restriction release state without allowing the mirror driving member to rectilinearly move when the mirror member is in the mirror-up position or the mirror-down position, and the mirror driving member rectilinearly moves in conjunction with driving of the lead screw after the restriction unit switches from the restriction state to the restriction release state.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 11, 2014
    Publication date: December 18, 2014
    Inventors: Kei Sato, Kentaro Watanabe
  • Publication number: 20140362460
    Abstract: The present invention employs an actuator including: a movable portion connected to a reflecting member having a reflective surface; a movable comb electrode disposed at a distance from the reflecting member, supported by the movable portion, and extended in a direction parallel to the reflective surface; a stationary comb electrode supported by a supporting portion, extends in the direction parallel to the reflective surface, and disposed alternately with the movable comb electrode; and a voltage controller that applies a voltage to the movable comb electrode and the stationary comb electrode to displace the movable comb electrode and the movable portion in a direction normal to the reflective surface. A portion that supports the movable comb electrode and a portion that supports the stationary comb electrode are disposed such that the movable comb electrode and the stationary comb electrode pass each other.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 28, 2012
    Publication date: December 11, 2014
    Inventors: Kyota Nozu, Yasuhiro Shimada, Koichiro Nakanishi
  • Patent number: 8858002
    Abstract: A door mirror includes a mirror housing incorporated with a mirror holder fixed with a mirror, and a mirror surface angle adjusting unit for adjusting an angle of the mirror holder. The mirror housing is provided with a partition wall for partitioning an inner space of the mirror housing to a first space on a front side and a second space on a rear side, and the mirror holder and the mirror surface angle adjusting unit are accommodated in the second space. The partition wall is formed with an insertion hole for inserting a fastening component from a side of the first space, and the mirror surface angle adjusting unit is provided with a fixing hole for fastening the fastening component inserted into the insertion hole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2014
    Assignee: Murakami Corporation
    Inventor: Kentaro Suzuki
  • Patent number: 8845112
    Abstract: The present invention has: a first worm gear 29 that is rotatably borne on a gear case 11 and a bearing member 16, the first worm gear being coupled to an output shaft 24 of a motor 13; and a helical gear that is geared with the first worn gear 29. In the gear case 11 and the first worm gear 16, an engagement recessed portion 42 and an engagement protrusive portion 43 configured to engage with each other are provided. At the engagement protrusive portion 43 of the bearing member 16, a first press-in fixing protrusive portion 44 configured to be pressed-in and fixed to an engagement recessed portion 42 of the gear case 11 is provided. As a result, according to the present invention, a rotational center O1 of the first worm gear 29 is positioned at the normal rotational center.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: Ichikoh Industries, Ltd.
    Inventor: Ikuo Sakata
  • Patent number: 8840259
    Abstract: Motor bodies are housed between a case and a case-inner, with the whole of the outside-periphery surrounded by an outer peripheral wall. The upper-side-outer-peripheral face of the outer-peripheral wall slopes continuously downwards on progression from an uppermost portion of the outer-peripheral face towards a vehicle right side edge of the outer-peripheral face, and slopes continuously downwards from the uppermost portion towards the vehicle left side edge of the outer-peripheral face. Accordingly, even suppose water is to reach the upper side of the upper-side-outer-peripheral face, the upper-side-outer peripheral face of the outer-peripheral wall causes such water to always flow downwards towards the lower side of the outer-peripheral wall, and hence water can be suppressed or prevented from remaining standing on the upper-side-outer peripheral face of the outer-peripheral wall 46, enabling water to be suppressed or prevented from seeping in to the motor bodies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2014
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Tokai-Rika-Denki-Seisakusho
    Inventors: Nobuhiro Kudo, Isao Sumi
  • Publication number: 20140233125
    Abstract: Moving a mover for mirror surface angle detection following a nut member along a male thread member in such a manner that the mover is rotatable relative to the nut member and is non-rotatable relative to the male thread member, without biasing the mover by means of a spring. A communication hole is provided in a male thread member along a shaft axis of the male thread member. A mover is inserted through the communication hole so as to be movable in an axial direction. A front end of the mover is connected to a position in a back of a front end of a nut member so as to be rotatable relative to the nut member around the axis of the nut member. A position detection device detects a position of the mover relative to a base member in a direction along the male thread member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 19, 2014
    Publication date: August 21, 2014
    Inventors: Kentaro SUZUKI, Masahiro MOTOMIYA
  • Patent number: 8804149
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a plurality of optical scanning devices, a mode receiver, a temperature condition judger and a temperature adjuster. In the case of forming an image using one optical scanning device, the temperature adjuster drives motors of unused optical scanning devices at a first rotation speed if a predetermined temperature condition is satisfied and drives the motors of the unused optical scanning devices at a second rotation speed slower than the first rotation speed if image formation is finished during the drive at the first rotation speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2014
    Assignee: Kyocera Document Solutions Inc.
    Inventors: Ryota Maeda, Hiroshi Yamashita, Naoki Iwami
  • Patent number: 8804150
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a plurality of optical scanning devices, a job receiver, a job executor, an image discriminator, a temperature condition judger and a temperature adjuster. When a formation-target image is a single-color image and an image to be formed next is a multi-color image, the temperature adjuster drives a motor of one optical scanning device at a second rotating speed slower than a rotating speed during an image forming operation and drives motors of unused optical scanning devices at a third rotating speed faster than the second rotating speed if a temperature condition is satisfied upon the completion of an image forming operation of the single-color image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2014
    Assignee: Kyocera Document Solutions Inc.
    Inventors: Naoki Iwami, Hiroshi Yamashita, Ryota Maeda
  • Patent number: 8783883
    Abstract: In a vehicle door mirror including a motor and an adjuster assembly driven by the motor for moving a mirror glass connected with the adjuster assembly, a method for controlling delivery of power to the motor is described. The method can include detecting a voltage being supplied by a vehicle battery of the vehicle that includes the vehicle door mirror, and controlling delivery of power to the motor based on the detected voltage. A memory mirror system is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2014
    Assignees: Honda Motor Co., Ltd., Weastec, Inc.
    Inventors: William J. Tobin, Takayuki Furui, Timothy Edward Kiss, Ohito Takahashi, Masakazu Endo
  • Publication number: 20140192432
    Abstract: A truck mirror positioning device for adjusting the position of a rear-view truck mirror includes a mounting bracket adapted to be attached to a truck external to the truck driver's cabin. A pivotal support means is provided mechanically coupled to the mounting bracket for substantially supporting the weight of the truck mirror. An electric motor is mounted on the mounting bracket for moving the mirror, and a gearbox is mechanically coupled to the motor and adapted to be mechanically coupled to the truck mirror so as to adjust the plane in which the mirror lies wherein, in use, an operator can adjust the angle of the mirror by activating the electric motor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 22, 2012
    Publication date: July 10, 2014
    Applicant: ALPINE TECH AUSTRALIA PTY LTD
    Inventors: Richard John Dalton, Stuart Gerald Hunt
  • Patent number: RE47999
    Abstract: A vehicle rearview mirror system is described. A display device constructs an image by an image signal having been output from an image receiving unit of a vehicle-mounted camera and then causes a display screen to display the constructed image. A vehicle mirror main body incorporates the display device. A posture of the vehicle mirror main body is altered between a posture when a driver watches a vehicle rear side appearing in a half mirror and a posture when the driver watches an image which is displayed on the display screen. An operating lever member is employed to alter the posture of the vehicle mirror main body. A power supply switch switches on or off the display device in conjunction with operation of the operating lever member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2020
    Assignee: ICHIKOH INDUSTRIES, LTD.
    Inventor: Isao Konuki