Rear View Mirror Patents (Class 362/494)
  • Patent number: 10479269
    Abstract: A lighting apparatus for a vehicle may include a light output unit; an interface unit; and at least one processor. The at least one processor may be configured to control the light output unit to generate light that illuminates an exterior of the vehicle. The at least one processor may also be configured to receive first information via the interface unit; and control the light output unit to display, via the light that illuminates the exterior of the vehicle, a visual image corresponding to the received first information. The at least one processor may further be configured to receive second information via the interface unit; and control the light output unit based on the received second information to change the visual image displayed by the light that illuminates the exterior of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2019
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Ana Kim, Geunhyeong Kim
  • Patent number: 10469719
    Abstract: An imaging unit has an imaging device that has an imaging lens; a case that encloses an imaging device and that has an imaging portion for passing light that is to be incident into an imaging lens; and an extending portion that extends from the opening portion in the imaging direction of the imaging device. The extending portion has an extending surface that is provided with a scattering portion for scattering light through structural units. Each structural unit has a surface structure for reflecting, in at least two mutually differing directions that are inclined in relation to a first vertical plane, light that is inclined in the imaging direction relative to an axis that is perpendicular to the extending surface, and that is parallel to a first vertical plane that is perpendicular to the extending surface and that includes the optical axis of the imaging lens.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2019
    Assignee: Nidec Copal Corporation
    Inventors: Haruhiko Mandai, Yuta Nakamura, Masaki Nakashima
  • Patent number: 10442368
    Abstract: A recessed portion positioned on a vehicle rear side with respect to a lens of a camera and recessed in an inner side direction from an outer surface of a mirror housing is provided on the mirror housing. A flow rectifying surface, which forms a flow of traveling wind toward the recessed portion, is provided on the mirror housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2019
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Koji Okabe, Noriyuki Tsutsumi, Takaaki Nagai, Yuji Horikawa, Yoshihiro Maeno
  • Patent number: 10436414
    Abstract: In a door mirror device for a vehicle, a projector protrudes out toward a lower side from a circuit board, and the projector projects a pattern onto a ground surface. Moreover, illuminating LEDs and guide bodies are fixed to a lower surface of the circuit board. Due to the illuminating LEDs generating lights and the guide bodies guiding these lights, the guide bodies irradiate the lights from lower ends, and the ground surface is illuminated. Here, the lower ends of the guide bodies are disposed further toward a lower side than the projector. Therefore, shadows, which are due to the projector, arising in lights that illuminate the ground surface can be suppressed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2019
    Assignee: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOKAI-RIKA-DENKI-SEISAKUSHO
    Inventors: Kazuyuki Yokoyama, Masatsugu Ohashi, Masahiro Arai
  • Patent number: 10434932
    Abstract: The invention relates to a motor vehicle comprising a device for illuminating the surroundings for generating a light distribution on the ground in an area surrounding the motor vehicle. The device includes a projection module, which comprises a light-emitting means having a number of light sources and an array of projection optical units, wherein a respective projection optical unit comprises an object structure and an associated projection lens, such that, upon illumination of the array with the light-emitting means, the object structures are projected onto the ground by the associated projection lenses and the light distribution is thus generated. The array of projection optical units comprises a plurality of subarrays, which are illuminable separately with at least one light source of the light-emitting means that is associated with the respective subarray.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2019
    Assignee: Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Tim Gocke, Marcel Sieler
  • Patent number: 10400981
    Abstract: A lighting device for a vehicle includes a first lighting part arranged on a stationary body part of the vehicle, and a second lighting part arranged on a movable body part of the vehicle. A gap in a vehicle width direction is provided between the first lighting part and the second lighting part. The first lighting part includes a first reflector and the second lighting part includes a second reflector. The first reflector is located forward of the second reflector in a vehicle forward-rearward direction, and the gap is rearward of the first reflector in the vehicle forward-rearward direction. The second reflector is inclined toward one of the first reflector and the gap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2019
    Assignees: Honda Motor Co., Ltd., STANLEY ELECTRIC CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Logan M. Kingen, Christopher T. Lepage, Akira Hongo, Nathan M. Fisher, Aaron M. Eberle, Teerawan Grogan, Robert William Herpy, William Gerret McWhorter, Takuya Matsumaru, Taizo Yokoyama
  • Patent number: 10391943
    Abstract: A vehicle mirror assembly is provided herein. The vehicle mirror assembly includes a housing operable between a deployed position and a folded position. A lamp assembly is coupled to the housing and has a first light source configured to direct light rearwardly of the housing and a second light source configured to direct light forwardly of the housing. The housing is configured to move from the deployed position to the folded position when an object is detected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2019
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Stuart C. Salter, Paul Kenneth Dellock, Ulrich Stuhec, Keith Hoelscher
  • Patent number: 10391930
    Abstract: A vehicular lamp includes a light guide body configured with a two-color molded article of a light-transmitting member and a non-translucent member, and a light source configured to introduce light to the translucent member. The light guide body has a curved portion. The translucent member has a reflective step formed on a first surface thereof, which is in contact with the non-translucent member, so as to emit the light of the light source from a second surface, which is opposite the first surface. The second surface is exposed to an outside of a vehicle body on which the vehicular lamp is mounted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2019
    Assignee: Koito Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Shigehiko Kazaoka
  • Patent number: 10311313
    Abstract: An in-vehicle equipment control system includes a mobile terminal configured to receive a request signal and transmit a response signal; and in-vehicle equipment having: an imaging part that images surroundings of the vehicle; an illumination part that radiates light; a transmission/reception part that periodically transmits a request signal to the surroundings of the vehicle and receive a response signal from the mobile terminal; an imaging controller that causes the imaging part to image an outside of the vehicle when the response signal is received by the transmission/reception part; an object recognition part that recognizes a presence of a hazardous object on the basis of the captured image; and an illumination controller that controls the illumination part to perform illumination in different ways when the hazardous object is recognized by the object recognition part and when the hazardous object is not recognized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2019
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Katsuyasu Yamane, Yasuhiro Konishi, Norio Terui, Yuji Tsuchiya
  • Patent number: 10312460
    Abstract: An optoelectronic device includes a flexible organic light-emitting diode having a main extension plane, a first retaining element having a first major surface formed in accordance with a bent surface, and a second retaining element, wherein the OLED is arranged between the first retaining element and the second retaining element, and the OLED is mechanically fixed by the first retaining element and/or the second retaining element such that the main extension plane of the OLED is formed in accordance with the bent surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2019
    Assignee: OSRAM OLED GmbH
    Inventors: Daniel Riedel, Nina Riegel, Thomas Wehlus, Arne Fleißner, Armin Heinrichsdobler, Sebastian Wittmann
  • Patent number: 10300973
    Abstract: A taillight assembly including a support member, a right light assembly, a right lens assembly, left light assembly, and a left lens assembly. The right and left light assemblies are mounted to a light supporting portion of the support member. The right assembly includes a first light source oriented to direct a first beam of light in a rearward direction and a second light source oriented to direct a second beam of light in a rightward direction. The left light assembly includes third light source oriented to direct a third beam of light in rearward direction and a fourth light source oriented to direct a fourth beam of light in a leftward direction. The right and left lens assemblies are mounted to the light supporting portion to house the right and left light assemblies, respectively, and cooperate to disperse the first, second, third, and fourth beams of light 270 degrees horizontally.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2019
    Inventor: Bernard Luttmer
  • Patent number: 10274155
    Abstract: A mirror device for motor vehicles is provided comprising a main housing and a light guide associated with a light source and attached to the main housing. The light guide extends in at least one portion through the main housing defining at least one housing adapted for receiving the light source. The main housing may comprise a cover and a case; and a housing body may be fitted between the light guide and the cover. The light source housing may be formed at any portion of the length of the light guide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2019
    Assignee: FICO MIRRORS, S.A.
    Inventors: Sergio Hellin Navarro, Nestor Ruiz Ortega, Maria Luisa Novella, Carles Montero Foix, Robert Lopez Galera
  • Patent number: 10265803
    Abstract: An electro-optic element is provided that includes a first substrate having a first surface, and a second surface having a first electrically conductive portion disposed thereon. The element also includes a second substrate having a third surface, a fourth surface, and a second electrically conductive portion disposed on at least the third surface. A primary seal is between the second and third surfaces, wherein the seal and the second and third surfaces define a cavity. An electro-optic medium disposed in the cavity. In addition, the second surface further includes at least one indicia disposed thereon between the electro-optic medium and the second surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2019
    Assignee: GENTEX CORPORATION
    Inventors: David J. Cammenga, Adam R. Heintzelman, Kurtis L. Geerlings
  • Patent number: 10240742
    Abstract: A lighting and signaling device having a lamp assembly is shown. The lamp assembly comprises a housing for supporting a head lamp and a primary light source for generating a primary light beam. The lamp assembly also includes a lens having at least one or a plurality of couplers coupled to or integrally formed in the lens. The at least one or plurality of couplers contributes light received from an at least one or a plurality of light sources to improve the light distribution pattern, such as a visibility angle of the primary light beam, which could be, for example, a signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2019
    Assignee: VALEO NORTH AMERICA, INC.
    Inventor: Michael Jason Kratoska
  • Patent number: 10232765
    Abstract: A lamp assembly for illuminating a ground area adjacent a vehicle is disclosed. The assembly includes a housing; an outer lens covering the housing; a plurality of light emitting diode (LED) light sources arranged in the housing; and a reflector mounted in the housing. The light emitted from the plurality of LED light sources is captured by the reflector which reflects light towards the lens, the lens directing light generally downward towards the ground area. The light output from the lamp assembly appears to be emitted from a single light source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2019
    Assignee: SMR Patents S.à.r.l.
    Inventors: Garry Gordon Leslie Fimeri, Simon Belcher, James Nicholas Dickson
  • Patent number: 10166913
    Abstract: A vehicle includes a side mirror positioned on an A-pillar. A light assembly is coupled with a bottom surface of the side mirror. The light assembly is configured to illuminate a plurality of photoluminescent structures located within an interior and on an exterior of the vehicle when the vehicle is in a door off configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2019
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Stuart C. Salter, Paul Kenneth Dellock, Cornel Lewis Gardner, Keith Hoelscher
  • Patent number: 10152893
    Abstract: A method and system for detecting an object in the “blind-spot” of a moving vehicle. The system can be user-installed to retrofit a vehicle, e.g., one that lacks a more complex, factory-installed blind-spot detection system. The invention thus provides an inexpensive and simplified vehicle safety enhancement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2018
    Assignee: KENNESAW STATE UNIVERSITY RESEARCH AND SERVICE FOUNDATION, INC.
    Inventors: Andrew Kazemian, Frederick Mba Amuna, Ilyas Kure, Deshawn Edwards, Eli Franklin
  • Patent number: 10144337
    Abstract: A vehicle light assembly includes a light source. A lens is positioned proximate the light source. A conductive circuitry is disposed on the lens and forms a capacitive sensor. A temperature sensor is configured to detect a temperature of the light source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2018
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Stuart C. Salter, Pietro Buttolo, Annette Lynn Huebner, Paul Kenneth Dellock, James J. Surman
  • Patent number: 10145537
    Abstract: An illumination unit includes a transparent substrate, a light source, a first half mirror, and a mirror. The light source is mounted on the transparent substrate. The first half mirror is disposed on a front side of the transparent substrate. The mirror is disposed on a rear side of the transparent substrate. Light emitted from the light source is repeatedly reflected between the first half mirror and the mirror while being transmitted through the transparent substrate, so as to be output forward from the first half mirror.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2018
    Assignee: KOITO MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Ken Watanabe, Hiromi Nakamura
  • Patent number: 10131273
    Abstract: A lighting module for a motor vehicle includes a carrier, such as a single printed circuit board, and a plurality of light sources configured to perform various functions selected from a group including door lock status, turn signal indication, blind spot warning indication and door latch handle illumination.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2018
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Stuart C. Salter, Cornel Lewis Gardner, Paul Kenneth Dellock, Thomas F. Boettger
  • Patent number: 10093224
    Abstract: A lighting apparatus for a vehicle may include a light output unit; an interface unit; and at least one processor. The at least one processor may be configured to control the light output unit to generate light that illuminates an exterior of the vehicle. The at least one processor may also be configured to receive first information via the interface unit; and control the light output unit to display, via the light that illuminates the exterior of the vehicle, a visual image corresponding to the received first information. The at least one processor may further be configured to receive second information via the interface unit; and control the light output unit based on the received second information to change the visual image displayed by the light that illuminates the exterior of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2018
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Ana Kim, Geunhyeong Kim
  • Patent number: 10055946
    Abstract: An electronic device having a light display for communicating messages to a user wherein the light display is a rectangular halo produced by several discrete light sources where the combined width of all the light sources is small in comparison to the length of the perimeter of the rectangular halo.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2018
    Assignee: EMBERTEC PTY LTD
    Inventors: Domenico Gelonese, Nathan Kuchel
  • Patent number: 10040392
    Abstract: A vehicle puddle lamp assembly is provided that includes a plurality of light projectors located on a vehicle and configured to illuminate different lighted image patterns on a ground surface adjacent to the vehicle. The vehicle puddle lamp assembly includes a controller for sequentially activating the plurality of light projectors to generate an animated lighted image on the ground surface. The animated image moves in a location based on a door position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2018
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Stuart C. Salter, Paul Kenneth Dellock, Cornel Lewis Gardner, Annette Lynn Huebner
  • Patent number: 10036842
    Abstract: An illumination device can prevent light from leaking at a bend portion of a light guiding lens. The illumination device can include an LED and the light guiding lens for guiding light from the LED. The light guiding lens can include a light guiding portion extending in a predetermined extension direction and having a first end face and a second end face so as to guide the light entered through the first end face in the extension direction, and a bend portion continued from the second end face of the light guiding portion and bent in an arc shape. An incident face is disposed in the first end face to receive the light from the LED and to be incident on an inner surface of the bend portion on an outer side of the arc shape at an angle of incidence equal to or more than a critical angle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2018
    Assignee: STANLEY ELECTRIC CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Kazuyoshi Sakuragi
  • Patent number: 9994146
    Abstract: A beam is projected on the roadway by a vehicle that is visible to vehicles that are in its proximity, the beam on the roadway indicating to adjacent vehicles when they are in a blind spot of the beam generating vehicle. This makes it possible for the vehicle to slow down, speed up or move into another lane to avoid being in a blind spot of the vehicle in its proximity. An optical beam generator is mounted or integrated on a vehicle such as within side view mirror(s). The beam(s) may be generated using any suitable optical beam generator(s) including a laser, LED's or any other suitable source of illumination for projecting a line or other optical illuminated indicia to demarcate blind spot region(s) to operators of adjoining vehicles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2018
    Inventor: Itai Achiaz
  • Patent number: 9994156
    Abstract: A rearview device includes a housing that includes a first side and a second side opposite the first side. An electro-optic element is operably coupled with the first side of the housing. A rear trim bezel is disposed on the second side of the housing. A rear trim plate is operably coupled with the second side of the housing. A peripheral gap is defined between the rear trim plate and the second side of the housing. A spacing truss is disposed in the peripheral gap. The spacing truss includes first and second lateral walls extending to the rear trim bezel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2018
    Assignee: GENTEX CORPORATION
    Inventors: Danny L. Minikey, Jr., Mark R. Roth, Nigel T. Lock, Michael F. Lisowski
  • Patent number: 9827911
    Abstract: An adjustable rearview mirror that is designed to quickly transition between transparent and reflective states. The apparatus is configured to resemble traditional rearview mirrors used in vehicles. The apparatus includes a window mount, a pivoting connection arm, and a user controlled mirror panel. The window mount connects the rearview mirror to the windshield of a vehicle. The pivoting connection arm enables a user to reposition the rearview mirror at will. The user controlled panel can be placed into a reflective or a transparent state based on user input. A user is able to gain a relatively unhindered view of traffic through a vehicle windshield.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2017
    Inventor: Peteris Alberts Cers
  • Patent number: 9718408
    Abstract: In a vehicle door mirror device, a first cord and a second cord are arranged passing through a storing mechanism in an up-down direction. A first connector of the first cord is electrically connected to a mirror face adjustment device through an assembly hole of a visor body. Moreover, a second connector of the second cord is electrically connected to a turn signal lamp. The first cord and the second cord are disposed at a vehicle rear side of the storing mechanism, and pass between the storing mechanism and the visor body. This thereby enables the first cord and the second cord to be made shorter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2017
    Assignee: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOKAI-RIKA-DENKI-SEISAKUSHO
    Inventors: Kazuhiro Sawada, Mutsumi Shiohara, Noriyoshi Kimata, Tomotaka Nishio
  • Patent number: 9707912
    Abstract: Systems and methods for human scanning for interior preference setup are disclosed. An example disclosed vehicle includes a target lamp on a side view mirror of the vehicle. The example vehicle also includes a scanning module. Additionally, the example vehicle includes an active scanning system configured to instruct the target lamp to project a position indicator a known distance from the vehicle, determine a joint structure based on an image of a person standing at the position indicator received from the scanning module, and adjust interior preference settings based on the detected joint structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2017
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Jesus Alejandro Pena Casimiro, Jorge Guillermo Barrios Albert
  • Patent number: 9669754
    Abstract: Provided is a turn signal lamp including a light source, a light guide, and a camera having an image capture device, which are installed within a lamp chamber formed by a lamp body and an outer cover. At least a portion of the light guide is formed in an area that extends from the camera in a direction following a vehicle surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2017
    Assignee: Koito Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Naoki Tatara, Toshihiro Okamura, Kenji Nobuhara, Hiroya Koizumi, Kazuyuki Ishikawa
  • Patent number: 9656710
    Abstract: Provided is a rearview mirror with concealed and light-transmittable turn signal light, which is applicable to a vehicle to provide a function of a rearview with light reflection achieved with a reflector, and in addition, an outer cover of the rearview mirror is structured to allow for emission of light of turn signal therethrough so as to also provide a function of alarming for driving safety. The outer cover is made of a light-transmitting material and the outer cover has a surface that is subjected to sputtering to form a sputtering-coated film thereon. The outer cover receives therein a light casing, which is fixed to a minor base of the review mirror by fasteners. Electrical wires extend along a rearview mirror bracket to connect to the light base. The mirror base and the light casing are coupled to each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2017
    Assignee: SAN YUAN DESIGN CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Ying-Chung Chen
  • Patent number: 9643532
    Abstract: A method for manufacturing a lamp for vehicles is disclosed in which a housing, a light conductor, and a clear lens are produced as one unit out of plastic in a 3-component injection procedure. The refractive index of the plastic of the clear lens is selected to be different from the refractive index of the plastic of the light conductor. The boundary between clear lens and the light conductor adjacent to it is formed with a structure. Because of the difference of the two refractive indexes and the structure at the given light admission on at least one light incoupling area at one end of the light conductor, light outcoupling areas are defined along the extent of the light conductor and out of the lamp. The invention furthermore relates to a side-view mirror arrangement of a vehicle having a lamp manufactured in this manner, preferably in the form of a blinker.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2017
    Assignee: SMR PATENTS S.A.R.L.
    Inventors: Raimund Negel, Arne Schmierer, Daniel Fritz
  • Patent number: 9610891
    Abstract: A plurality of light sources to assist in image capturing is attached to a vehicle at low cost and simplicity. Three light sources that illuminate a side area in the same direction of the vehicle are fixed to and accommodated in the same housing in a state where light axes of the light sources are directed to different directions from each other. Through this, the three light sources are integrated into a side camera unit by the housing. Accordingly, by attaching the side camera unit only, the light sources can be attached to the vehicle at a time. As a result, the light sources for widely illuminating the side area of the vehicle can be mounted on the vehicle at low cost and simplicity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2017
    Assignee: FUJITSU TEN LIMITED
    Inventor: Masahiro Yamada
  • Patent number: 9541703
    Abstract: A lamp comprises a light guide, a light source and a subject member; wherein an exit surface of the light guide is arranged at a position exposed to a front side of the subject member or located on a rear side of the subject member while being visible from the front side; wherein a surface of a light-guiding part about the exit surface located on the rear side is covered with paint or an opaque member so that the exit surface seen from the front side appears to have the same color as with surroundings thereof; wherein the subject member is molded by an opaque material or the rear side about the exit surface is covered with the paint or the opaque member; and wherein the light guide and the subject member are molded integrally with each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2017
    Assignees: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOYOTA JIDOSHOKKI, KOITO MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Akira Moriyama, Hideaki Terai, Koji Uchino, Mitsuhiko Nishijima
  • Patent number: 9459453
    Abstract: A windshield display system for a vehicle is provided herein and includes a rearview mirror assembly having at least one light source configured to illuminate a location on a windshield. At least one photoluminescent structure is disposed at the location and is configured to luminesce in response to excitation by light emitted from the at least one light source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2016
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Stuart C. Salter, James J. Surman
  • Patent number: 9428112
    Abstract: In a vehicle door mirror, a mirror housing accommodating electric components is rotatably supported at a base member that is mounted to a side door, and a coupler that is electrically connected to the electric components is attached to the base member. A sheet member that is positioned to and held by the base member and is sandwiched between the side door and the base member is fastened to the side door by being fastened together with the base member, and the coupler is clamped between the base member and the sheet member. Accordingly, the coupler can be attached using a fewer number of components and a fewer number of working steps.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2016
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Honda Lock
    Inventors: Yasuyuki Eto, Tetsuya Oda
  • Patent number: 9403562
    Abstract: In a moving body side section structure that includes a flow correction fin 1A that is provided on a side section of a moving body, the flow correction fin includes a first inclined portion 1Ae which is formed at a front end in the longitudinal direction of the moving body and in which a width in a width direction of the moving body is widened toward a rear side in the longitudinal direction of the moving body, and a second inclined portion 1Af which is formed further rearward than the first inclined portion 1Ae in the longitudinal direction of the moving body and in which the width in the width direction of the moving body is narrowed toward the rear side in the longitudinal direction of the moving body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2016
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Narito Fujii, Masaaki Morimoto, Koshi Yamada, Nagataka Sassa, Naohiko Saito
  • Patent number: 9376054
    Abstract: Lighting device for emission of light through a windshield of a vehicle consisting of at least one lighting unit intended to be temporarily mounted on the inside of a windshield with at least one fastening device. The lighting unit consists of at least one reflector, one lamp and at least one seal between the lighting unit and the windshield. The lighting unit is powered by electric energy and the lamp's on and off switch is controlled by at least one sensor designed to detect turned on high-beams which wirelessly sends control signals to the lighting unit. The lighting device consists of a function with which the light's illumination can be adjusted and with which the light can be completely or partially blocked.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2016
    Inventor: Lars Svelander
  • Patent number: 9327649
    Abstract: A rearview mirror assembly for a vehicle includes a mirror reflective element having at least one glass substrate and a mirror reflector established at a surface of said at least one glass substrate. The mirror assembly includes a display element disposed at the rear of the mirror reflective element and operable to emit light that is viewable through the mirror reflective element. The display element includes a printable light emitting diode. The mirror assembly may include at least one of (a) a printable electrically conductive layer at a surface of the at least one glass substrate, (b) a printable heater pad established at a rear surface of the at least one glass substrate, (c) a printable touch sensor and (d) a moldable light emitting diode element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2016
    Assignee: MAGNA MIRRORS OF AMERICA, INC.
    Inventor: Hamid Habibi
  • Patent number: 9227557
    Abstract: A vehicle rearview mirror with indicator function includes a mirror mount, a mirror face mounted in the mirror mount and defining a first light transmissive zone, and an indicator device mounted between the mirror mount and the mirror face and including a reflector defining one or multiple reflecting surfaces and LED substrates and light-emitting devices mounted in the reflector. Each LED substrate defines a mounting face facing toward the reflecting surfaces. The light-emitting devices are mounted at the mounting faces of the LED substrates and kept beyond the first light transmissive zone, and controllable to emit light onto the reflecting surfaces so that the reflecting surfaces reflect the light through the first light transmissive zone toward the outside of the vehicle rearview mirror in a uniformly distributed manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2016
    Assignee: MAXZONE AUTO PARTS CORP.
    Inventor: Chao-Chun Chen
  • Patent number: 9171488
    Abstract: A display element and a display device in which the display element is mounted. The display may be a variable message sign. The sign includes a tube-like housing in which lenses and apertures can be disposed. The light exiting a light source is emitted via an emitting surface, by way of which an illuminated traffic sign results from interacting with further display elements. The light source and the optical elements are disposed at different heights in the horizontally oriented housing. The optical axes can thereby extend horizontally, or the optical elements can lie on a main axis which is tilted downward in an radiation direction. In both cases, sunlight impinging from above at an angle advantageously falls on the LED to a slight degree, by way of which the phantom light phenomenon is minimized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2015
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Axel Beier, Martin Franke, Stefan Nerreter, Volker Türck
  • Patent number: 9121567
    Abstract: While a light source is arranged on the back side of a light guide lens, light beams can be emitted from the light source with respective optical axes directed in one direction and be guided toward opposite ends of the light guide lens. A light source and a reflective surface are arranged on the back side of a light guide lens. The light source emits light beams with respective optical axes directed in one direction. One of the light beams obliquely enters the light guide lens toward one end in a long direction of the light guide lens without being reflected by the reflective surface. Another one of the light beams is reflected by the reflective surface and obliquely enters the light guide lens toward another end in the long direction of the light guide lens.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2015
    Assignee: MURAKAMI CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kota Iseki, Hiroaki Nagano, Akihito Inaba
  • Patent number: 9109805
    Abstract: A range hood with features for monitoring the temperature of a cook top located below it is provided. In one example, the range hood includes one or more temperature sensors positioned over the cook top for measuring temperature of the heating elements below. If the measured temperatures(s) exceeds one or more predetermined temperature levels, either with or without a time delay, a notification and/or other remedial response is provided to a user of the appliance. The notification can be, for example, a visual warning projected onto the cook top and/or an audible alarm. Different warnings can be provided based on different temperature levels as measured by the temperature sensors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2015
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventor: James Carter Bach
  • Patent number: 9019091
    Abstract: An interior rearview mirror system includes a rearward facing camera, an interior rearview mirror assembly and a video display screen disposed behind a mirror reflective element of the interior rearview mirror assembly. The video display screen is viewable by a driver of the vehicle when the driver is normally operating the vehicle, and the video display screen is operable to display information for viewing by a driver of the vehicle through the mirror reflective element when the mirror assembly is normally mounted in the vehicle and when the video display screen is operated to display information. When the vehicle is executing a reversing maneuver, the video display screen displays images captured by the rearward facing camera to assist the driver in reversing the vehicle, and the video display screen is operable to display other information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2015
    Assignee: Donnelly Corporation
    Inventors: Kevin C. McCarthy, Eugenie V. Uhlmann, Niall R. Lynam
  • Patent number: 8976439
    Abstract: An interior rearview mirror assembly includes a mirror casing and a prismatic reflective element. The mirror casing is a unitarily molded mirror casing having at least one attachment surface. The prismatic reflective element includes a glass substrate having a front surface and a rear surface and a perimeter edge about a periphery of the glass substrate. A mirror reflector is established at the rear surface of the glass substrate. The perimeter edge of said glass substrate has a generally rounded surface disposed between the front surface and the mirror casing. The prismatic reflective element is attached at the attachment surface of the mirror casing. The perimeter edge of the glass substrate is exposed to and is viewable by the driver of the vehicle when the interior rearview mirror assembly is normally mounted in the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2015
    Assignee: Magna Mirrors of America, Inc.
    Inventors: Darryl P. De Wind, Michael J. Baur, Timothy G. Perkins
  • Patent number: 8950914
    Abstract: A lighting unit (10) with a housing (12) and a light disc (11) is suggested, which extends along a vehicle exterior mirror (1) with a housing covering the mirror head. The housing comprises at least two lighting means (14, 14?, 14a, 14b), whereby the lighting means (10) carries out a first function as an indicator, and decouples light in a first decoupling region (5) according to the guidelines of the legal regulations. The lighting unit illuminates at least a second region, whereby the at least second decoupling region (6) lies closer on the vehicle, and the lighting unit (10) carries out the function of a warning display visible to the driver.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2015
    Assignee: SMR Patents S.a.r.l.
    Inventor: Arne Schmierer
  • Patent number: 8926151
    Abstract: A vehicular accessory system includes an attachment element attached at an interior surface of a windshield of a vehicle and an accessory assembly having a housing that accommodates an accessory element. The accessory assembly includes structure used in attaching the accessory assembly to the attachment element. The accessory assembly includes circuitry disposed in the housing, and at least two electrical accessories of the accessory assembly share at least one component of the circuitry. One of the at least two electrical accessories includes a video camera and another of the at least two electrical accessories is selected from the group consisting of (i) a headlamp controller, (ii) a remote keyless entry receiver, (iii) a cellular phone and (iv) a vehicle status indicator. The video camera, when the accessory assembly is normally mounted in the vehicle, may have a field of view through the windshield of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2015
    Assignee: Magna Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Jonathan E. DeLine, Roger L. Veldman, Niall R. Lynam
  • Publication number: 20150003089
    Abstract: A mirror reflective element sub-assembly for an exterior rearview mirror assembly of a vehicle includes a mirror reflective element having a transparent substrate. A mirror reflector is disposed at a surface of the transparent substrate and a heater pad is disposed at a rear surface of the transparent substrate. A mirror back plate is disposed at the heater pad and has a first structure formed at a rear plate surface and configured to attach at an actuator of an exterior rearview mirror assembly. A blind spot indicator element is disposed at a second structure formed at the rear plate surface and includes a light source that is activatable to emit light. The blind spot indicator element and the second structure are configured so that light emitted by the blind spot indicator illuminates an icon so that the illuminated icon is principally viewed by a driver of the vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 15, 2014
    Publication date: January 1, 2015
    Inventor: Niall R. Lynam
  • Patent number: 8922655
    Abstract: A vehicle front grille assembly includes a vehicle grille, an emblem, a camera support and a camera. The vehicle grille includes an emblem mounting portion having a first mounting structure. The emblem includes an outer surface and an inner surface that is opposite the outer surface. The inner surface has a second mounting structure that directly mates with the first mounting structure of the emblem mounting portion. The camera support has an attachment portion and an extension portion. The attachment portion is sandwiched between the emblem mounting portion of the vehicle grille and the inner surface of the emblem. The attachment portion includes at least one opening and one of the first and second mounting structures extends through the at least one opening of the attachment portion. The camera is fixedly mounted to the extension portion of the camera support.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2014
    Assignee: Nissan North America, Inc.
    Inventor: Brittany Forgue
  • Patent number: 8922388
    Abstract: A lighting system for the exterior of a vehicle that includes a housing, a sensor, a lamp assembly, and a controller. The sensor is carried by the housing and detects the presence of a hazard in a predetermined region on the ground adjacent to the vehicle. The lamp assembly is carried by the housing and has a light source for projecting light onto at least a portion of the region. The controller is coupled to the sensor and the lamp assembly. The controller has a light activation input and, upon receipt of a light activation command at the input, it controls the lamp assembly to project light from the lamp assembly of a first color or other visible characteristic when no hazard is detected by the sensor and of a second color or other visible characteristic when the hazard is detected by the sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2014
    Assignee: Federal-Mogul Corporation
    Inventor: Todd Nykerk