Rear View Mirror Patents (Class 362/494)
  • Patent number: 11867370
    Abstract: An automotive lighting device, a vehicle and a method for operating an automotive lighting device are described. To economically fulfil different lighting functions the automotive lighting device includes a first and a second lighting unit. The first lighting unit is disposed to emit a first light of a first colour. The second lighting unit is disposed to emit a second light of a second colour different from the first colour. A mixing space is arranged to merge the first light and the second light to a third light of a third colour. The third light is disposed to fulfil a first automotive lighting function and the second light is disposed to fulfil a second automotive lighting function. The first automotive lighting function requires a colour within a first colour range and the second automotive lighting function requires a colour within a second colour range which is different from the first colour range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2024
    Assignee: LUMILEDS LLC
    Inventors: Marcus Jozef Henricus Kessels, Aloke Gaur
  • Patent number: 11865969
    Abstract: The optical assembly disclosed in the embodiment of the invention includes: a lighting module having a resin layer and a light emitting device inside the resin layer, and having an exit surface for emitting surface light to one side; a reflective portion having a recess in a lower portion of the exit side of the lighting module and an aspherical curved surface at the bottom of the recess; and a transparent cover on the recess to reflect the surface light to a set region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2024
    Assignee: LG INNOTEK CO. LTD.
    Inventors: Dong Hyun Lee, Kwang Hyun Ko
  • Patent number: 11827155
    Abstract: A vehicular exterior breakaway rearview mirror assembly includes a skull-cap mirror shell and a reflective element. With the mirror assembly mounted at an exterior side of a vehicle, the skull-cap mirror shell has an inboard wall that faces toward the exterior side of the vehicle. A blind spot indicator is disposed at an aperture established at the inboard wall of the skull-cap mirror shell. An illumination source of the blind spot indicator is activated to illuminate the blind spot indicator responsive to an electronic blind spot monitoring system of the vehicle detecting another vehicle that is approaching or overtaking the equipped vehicle. Illumination of the blind spot indicator by activation of the illumination source is readily viewable by the driver of the equipped vehicle and is not readily viewable by a driver of the detected other vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2022
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2023
    Assignee: Magna Mirrors of America, Inc.
    Inventor: Niall R. Lynam
  • Patent number: 11766972
    Abstract: A low-profile, backlit panel assembly and a controller for displaying images and/or data within a passenger compartment of a vehicle are provided. The assembly includes a substrate panel perforated with a two-dimensional array of closely-spaced holes. The panel is configured to be attached to a support structure of the vehicle. The assembly further includes a plurality of semiconductor-based, lighting devices supported at a back surface of the panel. Each of the lighting devices includes at least one lighting element. Each of the lighting elements is individually addressable by the controller to control luminous intensity of the light emitted by the at least one lighting element. Each of the lighting devices is aligned with one of the holes so that light emitted by each of the lighting devices travels through its hole to the passenger compartment in the form of a pixel of a two-dimensional image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2023
    Assignee: JVIS-USA, LLC
    Inventors: David Donovan Hinchman, Darius J. Preisler, Jason T. Murar, Rachel Elisabeth Schmidt, Ryan Richard Lucas, Cedric Alves, James Wagner
  • Patent number: 11738689
    Abstract: An external rearview device for a motor vehicle includes a housing, and one or more of at least one light emitting or a receiving device, including one or more of at least one light producing device or at least one camera device arranged within the housing, and at least one at least partially transparent element closing an opening provided by the housing, the at least partially transparent element being provided in form of a first module attached to the housing, and the one or more of the light producing device or the camera device being provided in form of a second module attached to the first module, the first module and the second module being mechanically releasably coupled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2022
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2023
    Assignee: SMR Patents S.à.r.l.
    Inventors: Steve Horne, Andrew Lettis, Graham Rehill, Andreas Herrmann
  • Patent number: 11643015
    Abstract: An exterior rearview device for an automotive vehicle includes a cover body with a cover body opening where the cover covers a front part of at least one reflective means, display or camera accommodated in the cover body. The exterior rearview device also contains a light module having a base body, a lens attachable to the base body and a selected functional device selected from at least two different functional devices each of which is adapted to achieve a specific light function. The base body is attachable to the cover body such that, in an attached state, the lens is arranged in the cover body opening, and the selected functional device is attachable to the base body such that, in the attached state, light from the light module passes through the lens to fulfil the specific light function of the selected functional device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2023
    Assignee: Motherson Innovations Company Limited
    Inventors: Joel James Gough, Gary Sinelli, John Scharfenkamp
  • Patent number: 11639134
    Abstract: A vehicular interior rearview mirror assembly includes a mirror head having an interior mirror reflective element. The mirror reflective element has a mirror transflector that transmits near-IR light incident thereon, transmits visible light incident thereon and reflects visible light incident thereon. The mirror assembly includes a camera disposed within the mirror head and viewing through the mirror transflector. The camera includes an imaging sensor having a quantum efficiency (QE) of at least 15% for near-infrared (near-IR) light having a wavelength of 940 nm. The mirror assembly further includes first, second and third near-IR illumination sources disposed within the mirror head and operable to emit near-IR light that passes through the mirror transflector. The near-IR illumination sources are at respective angles relative to a planar front surface of the mirror reflective element and, when powered, illuminate respective in-cabin regions for a driver monitoring function or an occupant detection function.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2022
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2023
    Assignee: MAGNA MIRRORS OF AMERICA, INC.
    Inventors: Gregory A. Huizen, Justin E. Sobecki, Austen C. Peterson, Ian A. McCabe, Rodney K. Blank, Niall R. Lynam
  • Patent number: 11623571
    Abstract: A rearview mirror with an RGB indicator lamp is provided, and belongs to the technical field of vehicle rearview mirrors. The rearview mirror includes a mirror shell and a mirror frame, and further includes a light module. The light module is installed inside the mirror shell, and a light-emitting panel of the light module is installed on the mirror frame. The light module is compact in structure, small in size and convenient to install on the rearview mirror. Meanwhile, the light-emitting panel is arranged on the mirror frame and integrated with the mirror frame, and the overall color is coordinated and unified.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2023
    Assignee: Jiangsu Haihua Auto Parts Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yuncai He, Junhua He, Yuan Zhong
  • Patent number: 11624491
    Abstract: Disclosed is a lamp for a vehicle. The lamp for a vehicle includes a lamp housing, a bezel part housed in the lamp housing, a light source part including a board positioned in the bezel part, and a plurality of light sources positioned on the board, a lens part positioned on the lamp housing, and that externally irradiates light generated by the light source part, and a reflection part positioned on a rear side corresponding to an opposite direction to a front side that faces the lens part from the light source part to be spaced apart from the light source part, and that reflects the light irradiated from the light source part to the front side, and the board is formed of a transparent material having light transmittance such that a portion of the light generated by the plurality of light sources reaches the reflection part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2023
    Assignee: HYUNDAI MOBIS CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Seok Huyn Kim
  • Patent number: 11597322
    Abstract: A vehicular lighted exterior rearview mirror system includes a lighted exterior rearview mirror assembly and a light module disposed thereat. The light module includes at least three forward illuminating illumination sources that, with the lighted exterior rearview mirror assembly attached at the side of the vehicle, are arranged spaced apart at the lighted exterior rearview mirror assembly. With the lighted exterior rearview mirror assembly attached at the side of the equipped vehicle, the at least three forward illuminating illumination sources, when powered, emit light at least in a forward direction with respect to the vehicle. The light module includes a turn signal indicating illumination source and a light piping element. The light piping element guides light emitted by the turn signal indicating illumination source along the light piping element so as to emanate from the light module at an outboard portion of the mirror casing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2023
    Assignee: MAGNA MIRRORS OF AMERICA, INC.
    Inventors: Gregory A. Huizen, Keith D. Foote
  • Patent number: 11594201
    Abstract: A vehicle includes a display device that is visible from a front side, a measurement unit configured to measure a distance between the vehicle and a front vehicle which travels in the same direction as the vehicle, and a display control unit configured to horizontally invert display content on the display device based on the measured distance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2023
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Kazuya Nishimura, Yoshihiro Oe, Naoki Uenoyama, Hirofumi Kamimaru
  • Patent number: 11590993
    Abstract: A method for displaying secondary signal devices for a driver of a railway vehicle during a journey by a railway vehicle. From a current vehicle position of the railway vehicle and an already known signal position of a secondary signal device, an actual distance of the railway vehicle in relation to the secondary signal device is determined. In the case that the actual distance is not reached in respect of a predefined current warning distance of the railway vehicle relative to the secondary signal device, a proximity of the railway vehicle relative to the secondary signal device is displayed to the driver.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2023
    Assignee: Siemens Mobility GmbH
    Inventors: Walter Hammer, Matthias Alexander Weber
  • Patent number: 11529906
    Abstract: A vehicle rearview mirror assembly is provided, including: a casing including a first shell body and a mounting board having an attachment portion with an aperture; a mirror attached to the mounting board and including a light-penetrable patterned portion spatially corresponding to the aperture; a light emitting module mounted to the attachment portion and including a second shell body, a light guide and a light source, the second shell body including an insertion slot therethrough, the light source being inserted through the insertion slot and engaged within the second shell body, and a binding member securing the light emitting module to the second shell body and sealing the insertion slot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2022
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2022
    Inventor: Nan-Hsin Chiang
  • Patent number: 11529905
    Abstract: A vehicle rearview mirror assembly is provided, including: a casing including a first shell body and a mounting board having an attachment portion with an aperture; a mirror attached to the mounting board and including a light-penetrable patterned portion spatially corresponding to the aperture; a light emitting module mounted to the attachment portion and including a second shell body, a light guide and a light source, the second shell body including an insertion slot therethrough, the light source being inserted through the insertion slot and engaged within the second shell body, and a binding member securing the light emitting module to the second shell body and sealing the insertion slot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2022
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2022
    Inventor: Nan-Hsin Chiang
  • Patent number: 11498487
    Abstract: An exterior rearview mirror system for a vehicle includes an exterior mirror assembly having a skull-cap mirror shell that includes an inboard wall that faces generally toward an exterior side of the vehicle and that is viewable by a driver of the vehicle. A multi-stage blind spot indicator is disposed at an aperture established at the inboard wall of the skull-cap mirror shell. An illumination source of the blind spot indicator is activated to illuminate the multi-stage blind spot indicator responsive to an electronic blind spot monitoring system of the vehicle detecting another vehicle that is approaching or overtaking the equipped vehicle. Illumination of the multi-stage blind spot indicator by activation of the illumination source is readily viewable by the driver of the equipped vehicle and is generally not viewable by a driver of another vehicle traveling in front of or approaching from in front of the equipped vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2022
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2022
    Assignee: MAGNA MIRRORS OF AMERICA, INC.
    Inventor: Niall R. Lynam
  • Patent number: 11479185
    Abstract: An imaging assembly for use in a vehicle is disclosed. The imaging assembly may include an image sensor configured to capture image data and an electro-optic element configured to selectively control a range of wavelengths corresponding to light in a near infrared (NIR) range of light entering the image sensor. The electro-optic element may include a first portion configured to absorb the range of wavelengths entering the image sensor and a second portion configured to absorb the range of wavelengths entering the image sensor in a first state and to transmit the range of wavelengths entering the image sensor in a second state. The second portion may be electrically isolated from the first portion. A controller may be in communication with the image sensor and the electro-optic element. The controller may be operable to switch the second portion between the first state and the second state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2022
    Assignee: GENTEX CORPORATION
    Inventors: Keith W. Bigoness, Michael A. Bryson, Joshua D. Lintz
  • Patent number: 11453331
    Abstract: A trim element having a coating layer defining an outer surface and an inner surface, the coating layer including at least two distinct backlit pattern areas separated by at least one opaque area preventing the passage of light from the inner surface to the outer surface. The trim element includes at least one light source for each backlit pattern area, the light source being fixed on the inner surface of the coating layer facing an opaque area while being spaced apart from the corresponding backlit pattern area. The trim element has one light guide per backlit pattern area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2022
    Assignee: FAURECIA INTERIEUR INDUSTRIE
    Inventors: Christophe Cuvillier, François Perrin, Armand Brousselle
  • Patent number: 11414015
    Abstract: A vehicle blind spot detection system may include a rearview mirror and an indicating unit. The rearview mirror has a shell and a mirror, and a transmitting area is formed on the mirror. The indicating unit installed in the shell is horizontally aligned with the transmitting area of the mirror. The indicating unit comprises a light-guiding base and a circuit board, and a front side of the light-guiding base has a recess to form a first housing, a light-gathering room, and a second housing therein. A first light emitter and a second light emitter are respectively mounted on the circuit board, and the circuit board has a through hole. When the circuit board is coupled on a rear side of the light-guiding base, the first light emitter and the second light emitter are respectively accommodated in the first housing and the second housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2022
    Inventor: Tsung-Ming Huang
  • Patent number: 11358524
    Abstract: A lamp for an automobile, which includes: a light source; a first light guide unit provided on one side of the light source to face the light source; and a second light guide unit provided on the one side of the light source to face the light source and at least a portion of which is surrounded by the first light guide unit. The first light guide unit includes: a first light guide region which forms one end of the first light guide unit and to which a portion of the light emitted from the light source is incident; and a second light guide region which forms the other end of the first light guide unit and to which another portion of the light emitted from the light source is incident. The second light guide unit is provided between the first and second light guide regions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2022
    Assignee: HYUNDAI MOBIS CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Dae Won Chung
  • Patent number: 11242009
    Abstract: An exterior rearview mirror system for a vehicle includes an exterior mirror assembly having a skull-cap mirror shell that includes an inboard wall that faces generally toward an exterior driver-side of the equipped vehicle and that is viewable by a driver of the equipped vehicle. A blind spot indicator is disposed at an aperture established at the inboard wall of the skull-cap mirror shell and provides a viewing area of at least two square centimeters. An illumination source of the blind spot indicator is activated responsive to detection by a blind spot detection system of the equipped vehicle of presence of a rearward approaching or overtaking equipped vehicle. Illumination of the blind spot indicator by activation of the illumination source is readily viewable by the driver of the equipped vehicle and is generally not viewable by a driver of a vehicle forward of the equipped vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2022
    Assignee: DONNELLY CORPORATION
    Inventor: Niall R. Lynam
  • Patent number: 11235700
    Abstract: An illumination device for a motor vehicle includes a multi-aperture projection display having a lighting means for illuminating a plurality of image segments and an array of projection lenses, where each projection lens is assigned an image segment, from the plurality of image segments, that is projected into a projection plane by way of a corresponding one of the projection lens, such that a light distribution is produced from all of the projected image segments in the projection plane. The array of projection lenses comprises a plurality of subarrays, where a respective subarray contains the same projection lenses and the projection lenses of different subarrays differ from one another such that each subarray generates a surface area in the light distribution and a size and/or a position of the generated surface areas varies between the plurality of subarrays.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2022
    Assignee: Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Florian Brill, Dominik Drozdzyk, Tina Gehb, Burkhard Lewerich, Martin Mueller, Alf Riedel
  • Patent number: 11220210
    Abstract: A light pipe is provided that includes a light transmissive medium having an input at one end and configured to be operatively coupled to a light source, wherein the light transmissive medium defines a first portion connected to a second portion via a first bend portion of about 90°, and a series of prisms formed in the light transmissive medium, each prism having a V-shaped groove with an incline angle of about 45°, wherein each prism has a depth and a length that increases from the first portion to the second portion, and wherein a separation gap between adjacent prisms decreases from the first portion to the second portion. The light pipe may have third and fourth portions and form a U-shape.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2022
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Linsheng Chen
  • Patent number: 11214199
    Abstract: An interior rearview mirror assembly includes a mirror head pivotally mounted at a mirror mount, and a display device disposed in the mirror head and behind the reflective element. An actuator is disposed at the mirror head and, when actuated, pivots the mirror head upward or downward to pivot the mirror head between a mirror mode orientation and a display mode orientation. The actuator includes at least one cam follower that is pivotable and that has an arcuate groove that receives a pin at the mirror head. Actuation of the actuator pivots the cam follower to move the pin along the groove and to pivot the mirror head relative to the mirror mount. The arcuate groove of the cam follower has a spiral form having a non-uniform radius of curvature at a middle region and a constant radius of curvature about the pivot axis at each end region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2022
    Assignee: MAGNA MIRRORS OF AMERICA, INC.
    Inventors: Anthony J. LaCross, Gregory A. Huizen, Eric Peterson
  • Patent number: 11142126
    Abstract: A method of assembling a mirror head for a vehicular interior rearview mirror assembly includes providing a mirror casing, a mirror reflective element at the mirror casing, and a toggle mechanism, which includes a body portion and a toggle lever joined to the body portion. A lower pivot mount of the toggle mechanism is inserted into a lower receiving portion of the mirror casing and an upper pivot mount of the toggle mechanism is inserted into an upper receiving portion of the mirror casing. An outer surface of the body portion corresponds with adjacent outer surfaces of the mirror casing, and, when the toggle lever pivots relative to the lower receiving portion of the mirror casing, the mirror casing pivots relative to the body portion to flip the mirror head between a first orientation and a second orientation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2021
    Assignee: MAGNA MIRRORS OF AMERICA, INC.
    Inventors: Matthew V. Steffes, Peter Krebs
  • Patent number: 11125410
    Abstract: A vehicle lamp includes: a first light source; and a columnar first light guide. The first light guide includes an incidence surface on which light of the first light source is incident, a first part that extends from the incidence surface toward one side in a direction of vehicle width, a second part that extends from an end of the first part toward one side in the vertical direction, and a third part that extends from an end of the second part toward the other side in the direction of vehicle width.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2021
    Assignee: KOITO MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Kazuki Terada
  • Patent number: 11120717
    Abstract: An image display device of a slot machine apparatus is provided. In the image display device of a slot machine apparatus, a main image display device is connected to a sub image display device provided at an edge portion of at least one side around the main image display device. The main image display device is formed as a non-flexible image display device, the sub image display device is formed as a flexible image display device, and the edge portion is formed in a curved shape.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2021
    Assignee: KORTEK CORPORATION
    Inventors: Je Young Kwon, Yong Hun Park
  • Patent number: 11040654
    Abstract: A control apparatus includes a switch that operates a device, the switch being attached to a vehicle ceiling part, wherein a display able to transmit light from a light source is provided on an operation surface of an operation element of a switch, and in the operation element, an inclined part inclined with an upward slope from a vehicle front toward a vehicle rear is provided, the slope being inclined at an angle at which light radiated from the light source is not visually recognized by an occupant when the light radiated from the light source is reflected on a rearview mirror.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2021
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Takeshi Udo
  • Patent number: 11029003
    Abstract: A decoration device according to this embodiment is a decoration device decorating an object used indoors, including: a light emitting device having light transmittivity and flexibility, including a plurality of light emitting elements emitting light from one surface and the other surface, and being arranged on one side of the object, in which a distance between the object and the light emitting device when an indoor light is turned off is less than or equal to 90 cm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2021
    Assignee: Toshiba Hokuto Electronics Corporation
    Inventors: Koichi Matsushita, Takamasa Ootake
  • Patent number: 11014490
    Abstract: The invention relates to a lamp (24) for a rear view device of a motor vehicle (42), with at least one light source (26) for emitting light beams, a collection optics (32) for collimating the light beams and a scattering optic (34) downstream of the collection optics (32) in the beam path of the light beams, which has a first main direction of beam (38), which, in the installation position of the lamp (24) in a left-hand drive motor vehicle (42), is directed towards an eye ellipse (46) of a driver of the motor vehicle (42), and has a second main direction of beam (40) which, in the installation position of the lamp (24) in a right-hand drive motor vehicle (42), is directed towards an eye ellipse (44) of a driver of the motor vehicle (42). Furthermore, the invention relates to a rear view device with at least one lamp according to the invention and a motor vehicle with at least one lamp according to the invention or at least one rear view device according to the invention.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2021
    Assignee: Motherson Innovations Company Ltd.
    Inventor: Oliver Schmidt
  • Patent number: 11007978
    Abstract: A vehicular illumination system includes an illumination module disposed at an exterior portion of a vehicle. The illumination module includes a reconfigurable display element and a light source operable to emit light. When the light source is operated, light emitted by the light source passes through the reconfigurable display element and the illumination module projects an icon established by the reconfigurable display element. The reconfigurable display element is reconfigurable to form the icon responsive to one of (i) a user selection of an icon and (ii) programming of the reconfigurable display element for an icon. When the light source is operated, light emitted by the light source passes through the reconfigurable display element and the illumination module projects the icon of the reconfigurable display element onto a surface exterior of the equipped vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2021
    Assignee: MAGNA MIRRORS OF AMERICA, INC.
    Inventors: Darryl P. De Wind, Justin E. Sobecki, Eric S. Deuel
  • Patent number: 10967799
    Abstract: A combined approach lamp and logo lamp apparatus for use in an external rear view assembly comprising at least one aperture, the apparatus including a housing including a rear view face and a front face with the at least one aperture; a printed circuit board (PCB) mounted adjacent the rear face, the printed circuit board further including a power connector, an electronic circuit, a first light source mounted in a first location on the printed circuit board, and a second light source mounted in a second location on the printed circuit board, and a transparent lens component comprising a first lens portion and a second lens portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Assignee: Motherson Innovations Company Limited
    Inventors: Jacob Heath Messenger, Sam Thoday, Simon Belcher, Arne Schmierer, Volker Erhart, Tobias Schwenger, Mikhail Kudryavtsev, Levente Acs
  • Patent number: 10936889
    Abstract: A method and system are disclosed and include obtaining image data from at least one camera located within a vehicle. The method also includes determining a behavior of an occupant based on the image data. The method also includes determining whether the behavior corresponds to a predetermined condition, which is associated with at least one of inhaling smoke, inhaling vapor, eating, and drinking. The method also includes generating, in response to the behavior corresponding to the predetermined condition, an alert corresponding to the predetermined condition. The method also includes transmitting the alert to a remote device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2021
    Assignees: DENSO International America, Inc., DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Robert Wunsche, III, Mustafa Mahmoud, Thomas Newman, Feng Xue
  • Patent number: 10938098
    Abstract: The radome (10) for vehicles comprises a substrate (18) formed of a radio transmissive resin, the substrate (18) having a proximal face and a distal face and a decoration layer (20) applied to the proximal face, the decoration layer (20) comprising a metalloid or a metalloid alloy deposited on the surface of the proximal face, a transparent frontal cover (22) overlying the decoration layer (20), and a light source (11) that illuminates the substrate (18), so that the light from the light source (11) crosses the transparent frontal cover (22). It permits to maintain its metallic aspect in any lighting condition, so that the decorative function is be improved by adding illumination in appropriate conditions while preserving the radar functionality.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2021
    Assignee: ZANINI AUTOGRUP, S.A.
    Inventors: Augusto Mayer Pujadas, José Sanahuja Clot
  • Patent number: 10836320
    Abstract: A light module for a light assembly of an exterior rear view device comprises a light source unit with at least one wire for an electric connection with a printed circuit board of the rear view device, in particular of the light assembly. The light module further comprises a housing unit supporting the light source unit and being provided with connecting and/or holding means for the attachment to at least one part, in particular a housing part, of the rear view device. The light module also includes sealing means for water and dustproof of the connection between the light module and the at least one part. A light assembly includes at least one of such a light module, and an exterior rear view device includes such a light assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2020
    Assignee: SMR Patents S.à.r.l.
    Inventors: Nitesh Shah, Artem Rudi, Andreas Herrmann, Sandeep Panchal, Romeo Wieczorek, Daniel Fritz
  • Patent number: 10836316
    Abstract: An interior mirror base arrangement for a motor vehicle has a base for an interior mirror which can be permanently fastened to a windshield of the motor vehicle adjacent to a roof liner, a cover element which is movably mounted on the base, and a fastener, by which the cover element can be fastened to the roof liner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2020
    Assignee: Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Peter Asang
  • Patent number: 10787111
    Abstract: The light-guiding optical system comprises at least one light source (2) and a light guide (1) for coupling and guiding light rays (10) emitted by a light source (2). Furthermore, the light guide (1) may comprise a decoupling surface (4) on its rear side (13) and an output surface (3) for the exit of light rays (10) decoupled by the decoupling surface (4) on an opposite front side (14). The decoupling surface (4) comprises: (i) first decoupling elements (5) configured to decouple light rays (10) falling onto the first decoupling elements (5) out of the light guide (1) approximately in a pre-determined first output direction (p) to fulfill a first light function, and (ii) a second decoupling element (6) configured to uncouple light rays (10) falling onto the second decoupling elements (6) out of the light guide (1) approximately in a pre-determined second output direction (d), which is deflected from the first output direction (p), to fulfill the second light function.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2020
    Assignee: Varroc Lighting Systems, s.r.o.
    Inventors: Nitesh Shah, Jan Martoch
  • Patent number: 10759348
    Abstract: A system for providing interchangeable approach lamps for use with an external rear view assembly mounted to a motor vehicle includes a first approach lamp module and a second approach lamp module. the second approach lamp module differs from the first approach lamp module by being a projecting or logo approach lamp module due to its projection assembly for projecting a logo or a mask.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2020
    Assignee: MOTHERSON INNOVATIONS COMPANY LIMITED
    Inventors: Jacob Heath Messenger, Simon Belcher, Arne Schmierer, Volker Erhart, Tobias Schwenger, Mikhail Kudryavtsev, Levente Acs
  • Patent number: 10759344
    Abstract: An external mirror device includes a housing arranged at a side of a vehicle and having an opening facing rearward of vehicle, a mirror accommodated in the opening of the housing, and a camera arranged at the housing and configured to acquire information from outside of the vehicle. With respect to the position of the camera in the front-rear direction, the camera is arranged in a rear of a contour line which includes an outline of the housing when seen from a rear of the vehicle. The housing includes a separating portion having a concave-convex shape to separate air traveling on a surface of the housing, and the separating portion is arranged at a same position as the camera in a direction along the contour line, and arranged frontward of the contour line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2020
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Koji Okabe, Yuichi Yoshii, Junpei Yamashita
  • Patent number: 10760765
    Abstract: A safety accessory for mounting on a vehicle comprises a housing having a front side and a back side, and a laterally extending mounting portion for connecting to the vehicle, a mirror mounted on the front side, and a bulb assembly within the housing facing the back side. The bulb assembly comprises a plurality of white, amber and red light sources, and a control circuit connected between light sources and a plurality of inputs. The control circuit causes the white light sources to be on when power is received at a first input, the amber light sources to flash in a standard flash pattern when power is received at a second input, the red light sources to flash in the standard pattern when power is received at a third input, and the amber light sources to flash in an emergency strobe pattern when power is received at a fourth input.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2020
    Assignee: SMART LITE TECHNOLOGIES LTD.
    Inventors: David Andrew Trytko, Martin William Vanderhoek
  • Patent number: 10731822
    Abstract: A light-emitting device for a motor vehicle, including a housing and a light source assembly arranged in the housing, wherein the light-emitting device further includes a substantially plate-shaped light guide including an opening portion, and the light guide is positioned in such a way that the light source assembly is located behind the opening portion in a main emitting direction of the light-emitting device or located in the center of the opening portion, thereby transmitting lateral light from the light source assembly into the light guide. According to the light-emitting device of the present invention, the light rays from the light source assembly are expanded through the light guide, and can be used to display a decorative pattern, thereby providing more lighting decorative design styles and improving the aesthetic appearance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2020
    Assignee: Foshan Ichikoh Valeo Auto Lighting Systems Co., Ltd
    Inventors: Yongjian-Mike He, Zhilin-Jones Su, Steven Shi, Jason Deng, Jerome Monnot
  • Patent number: 10730436
    Abstract: A rearview assembly includes a housing having a front defining an opening. An external band extends laterally about a rear of the housing. A turn signal is defined in the external band. An electro-optic device includes a front substrate defining a first surface and a second surface. A rear substrate defines a third surface and a fourth surface. An electro-optic medium is disposed between the front substrate and the rear substrate. A peripheral seal contains the electro-optic medium between the front substrate and the rear substrate. An imager is adjacent the electro-optic device. A viewing window is disposed on an outboard corner of the electro-optic device. The imager is in optical communication with the viewing window.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2020
    Assignee: GENTEX CORPORATION
    Inventors: Bradley R. Hamlin, Nigel T. Lock
  • Patent number: 10703284
    Abstract: An exterior rearview mirror assembly includes a mirror head pivotally mounted at a mounting base. The mirror head includes a mirror casing and a reflective element adjustably disposed at the mirror casing. An illumination device is disposed at the mirror head. The illumination device includes a light source that, when operated with the mounting base attached at the side of a vehicle, emits visible light to illuminate a ground region at the side of the vehicle. A powerfold actuator is electrically operated to pivot the mirror head relative to the mounting base between a folded position and a drive position. When the powerfold actuator pivots the mirror head, and with the light source of the illumination device operated, the visible light emitted by the light source is directed toward the same ground area at the side of the vehicle throughout the range of pivotal movement of the mirror head.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2020
    Assignee: MAGNA MIRRORS HOLDING GMBH
    Inventor: Felix Schnellbach
  • Patent number: 10632922
    Abstract: This disclosure details vehicle systems and methods for controlling vehicle exterior mirror assemblies to reduce moisture accumulation on exposed surfaces of the mirror assemblies. An exemplary vehicle system includes a mirror assembly, a sensor system configured to detect moisture on a vehicle surface, and a control module configured to automatically command a mirror of the mirror assembly to a tilted position in response to detecting the moisture on the vehicle surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2020
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Stuart C. Salter, Paul Kenneth Dellock, Erick Michael Lavoie, Pietro Buttolo
  • Patent number: 10576896
    Abstract: A lighted exterior rearview mirror system for a vehicle includes a lighted exterior rearview mirror assembly and a light module disposed thereat. The light module includes a plurality of illumination sources operable to emit light in a generally forwardly direction with respect to the vehicle. The light module includes at least one turn signal indicator illumination source that, at least responsive to an activation of a turn signal by the driver of the equipped vehicle, is operable to emit light in a generally sidewardly and/or rearwardly direction with respect to the vehicle. The light module includes a light piping element and the turn signal indicator illumination source is disposed at an inboard end of the light piping element and the light piping element guides light emanating from the turn signal indicator illumination source along the light piping element and out an outboard end of the light piping element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2020
    Assignee: MAGNA MIRRORS OF AMERICA, INC.
    Inventors: Gregory A. Huizen, Keith D. Foote
  • Patent number: 10525871
    Abstract: A light diverting system for diverting light from a headlamp assembly of a vehicle includes a processor and a user input device communicatively coupled to the processor. A light diverting apparatus includes an actuator communicatively coupled to the processor and a light diverting member comprising a reflective surface configured to reflect light from a light source. A memory module is communicatively coupled to the processor that stores logic that, when executed by the processor, causes the system to receive user instructions from the user input device and adjust a position of the light diverting member using the light diverting apparatus based on the user instructions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2020
    Assignee: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.
    Inventors: Scott L. Frederick, Scott P. Robison
  • Patent number: 10525890
    Abstract: A rear vision system for a vehicle includes a camera mounted with the vehicle and capturing a field of view rearward of the vehicle, a rearview mirror including a display substrate thereon, and an image sensor directed toward an interior of the vehicle and configured to capture image data of an object. The system further includes a controller in communication with the camera and receiving a first video image of the first size corresponding with the field of view, with the image sensor to determine a position of the object within the image data, and with the display substrate to present a portion of the first video image thereon of a size less than the first size. The portion of the first video image is selected to correspond with an expected portion of the field of view based on the determined position of the object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 26, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2020
    Assignee: GENTEX CORPORATION
    Inventors: Dennis D. Festerling, Jr., Brock R. Rycenga
  • Patent number: 10507761
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a travel direction indicator module for an exterior rearview mirror arrangement for a motor vehicle having at least one light source, a first light conductor comprising a multiplicity of light decoupling points, and a second light conductor, wherein the light source couples a first beam part into the first light conductor at a first end and a second beam part into the second light conductor at a first end, and a module housing is formed as one injection molded part in common with the first light conductor and the second light conductor, which emits light into a single light decoupling area, which is arranged in an area of the second end of the first light conductor situated opposite the first end of the first light conductor, and an exterior rearview mirror arrangement having such a travel direction indicator module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2019
    Assignee: SMR Patents S.à.r.l.
    Inventors: Daniel Fritz, Volker Erhart, Dénes Marosvoelgyi
  • Patent number: 10501025
    Abstract: A badge is provided herein. The badge includes a substrate attached to a housing. The housing includes a viewable portion. A light source is operably coupled with an optic. A reflective member is further disposed within the badge. A first portion of an excitation light emitted from the light source is directed through the optic toward a first portion of the viewable portion. A second portion of the excitation light is reflected by the reflective member towards a second portion of the viewable portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2019
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Stuart C. Salter, Jeffrey Singer, Paul Kenneth Dellock, Michael A. Musleh, James J. Surman
  • Patent number: 10493904
    Abstract: A vehicle includes a mirror light assembly. A plurality of light sources is disposed in a housing and a plurality of reflectors surrounds each light source having a focal axis that is offset from each of the remaining reflectors. A sensor is configured to detect an object proximate the vehicle. A controller is configured to selectively illuminate the light sources to illuminate the object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2019
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Stuart C. Salter, Paul Kenneth Dellock, Pietro Buttolo, Annette Lynn Huebner
  • Patent number: 10479268
    Abstract: A direction indicator for vehicles, having a first lighting unit containing a first light source and an optical unit paired with the first light source for generating a direction indicating function and comprising a second lighting unit containing a second light source and an optical unit paired with the second light source for generating an additional lighting function. The first light source and the second light source are paired with the same optical unit, and the second lighting unit is designed as a light-emitting visual information lighting device. The second light source can be activated and/or deactivated depending on a vehicle signal which triggers a non-lighting function of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2019
    Assignee: Hella GmbH & Co. KGaA
    Inventor: Martin Muegge