On Adjustable Diverse Vehicle Portion Or Accessory Patents (Class 359/844)
  • Patent number: 10981505
    Abstract: A blocked imager detection system includes a rearview assembly having an actuator device. The actuator device is adjustable to tilt an electro-optic element, thereby moving the electro-optic element to an off-axis position which changes an activation state of a display module. The actuator device is also adjustable to tilt the electro-optic element in another direction, thereby moving the electro-optic element to an on-axis position which changes the activation state of the display module. An imager is configured to capture image data of a scene external to the controlled vehicle and to generate image data for display on the display module. When a controller determines that the operational capability of the imager to capture image data is at least partially diminished, the controller can generate a control signal indicating that imager performance has been compromised and deactivate the display module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2021
    Assignee: GENTEX CORPORATION
    Inventor: Neil J. Boehm
  • Patent number: 10967798
    Abstract: A control device and a method for image display are provided. The control device includes a mirror display unit, a backward camera unit, a reference data detection module, and an image processing module. The mirror display unit includes a mirror and a display module. The mirror generates a first image via reflection. The display module has a display surface at least partially overlapping with the mirror. The backward camera unit captures a second image, and the area of the first image is within the area of the second image. The reference data detection module generates reference data. The image processing module determines an area correspondence between the first image and the second image according to the reference data, and generates a display image from the second image based on the area correspondence. The display module displays the display image when receiving a switch command.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Assignee: Qisda Corporation
    Inventors: Chih-Ming Chang, Chao-Shun Yu
  • Patent number: 10723267
    Abstract: An automotive audio visual system includes a display screen on the vehicle, such as the central display screen on the vehicle's dashboard, and one or more rear cameras facing a rear passenger seat of the vehicle. The image or video feed from one or more rear cameras is displayed on the display screen in the vehicle, so that the front passengers can view the rear passenger area on the vehicle's display screen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2020
    Inventor: Ankit Dilip Kothari
  • Patent number: 10703265
    Abstract: A lighting device for illuminating the vehicle interior of a motor vehicle is provided. The motor vehicle includes a plurality of light sources for illuminating the vehicle interior and a control device that can be used to actuate the plurality of light sources independently of one another. The motor vehicle further has an operator control device connected to the control device and includes segments and operator control elements that can be used to actuate the light sources independently of one another by a user. A display unit displays at least a partial image of the vehicle interior that can be illuminated or is illuminated by the controllable light sources.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2020
    Assignee: DAIMLER AG
    Inventors: Daniel Fuhrmann, Daniela Knapp, Michael Holz, Florian Staib, Timo Gramlich, Thomas Kälberer
  • Patent number: 10482728
    Abstract: A light indicator is comprised of six segments or slices that may each be individually and vividly lit with various colors and at various intensities in order to provide information in a point-of-use context, while also minimizing or entirely eliminating bleeding of colored light from one segment to another during use. The light indicator comprises a case containing a processor, memory, and LED controller, and is capable of lighting one or more segments based partially or wholly upon instructions from a remote controller or based entirely on instructions stored in its own memory. In addition to being able to simultaneously light any combination of segments to a desired color and intensity, the indicator is also capable of performing special modes including directional indication, a run mode indication, and a gauge mode indication.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2019
    Assignee: Balluff GMBH
    Inventors: Thomas Matthew Rosenberg, James Clinton Ramler, Matthew Rommel, Ross T. Terrill, Winfried Erhard Kunzweiler
  • Patent number: 10457223
    Abstract: An electronics systems cluster includes a plurality of brackets, a plurality of electronic devices held in the plurality of brackets and an interlocking feature securing the plurality of brackets directly together into a small footprint configuration less likely to interfere with driver sight lines.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2019
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Kurt Hugh Maxwell, Scott Holmes Dunham
  • Patent number: 10457222
    Abstract: An electronics systems cluster includes a plurality of brackets, a plurality of electronic devices held in the plurality of brackets and an interlocking feature securing the plurality of brackets directly together into a small footprint configuration less likely to interfere with driver sight lines. A related method of reducing a footprint of an electronics systems cluster is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2019
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Kurt Hugh Maxwell, Scott Holmes Dunham
  • Patent number: 10308171
    Abstract: The set of auxiliary vehicle lights includes auxiliary hazard lights in combination with additional lights for non-verbal communication with drivers of other vehicles. The set of auxiliary vehicle lights includes a housing having opposed upper and lower ends, defining first and second chambers. Each of the first and second chambers has an open front end and an open rear end. First and second sets of light sources are mounted within the first and second chambers, respectively, of the housing. Each of the first and second sets of light sources includes a hazard light and a communication light. A hook is provided for releasably attaching the housing to a rearview mirror of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2019
    Inventor: Manuel B. Calpito
  • Patent number: 10247941
    Abstract: A vision system of a vehicle includes a display configured to be disposed in the vehicle so as to be operable to display images for viewing by an occupant of the vehicle. The display includes a light field display. The system may include at least one camera configured to be disposed at a vehicle so as to have a respective field of view exterior of the vehicle, whereby the display may display images derived from image data captured by the at least one camera. The vision system may include a head-up display system having the light field display disposed at or in the instrumental panel and projecting images onto a combiner on top of the dashboard facing the driver of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2019
    Assignee: MAGNA ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventor: Manfred Fürsich
  • Patent number: 9340158
    Abstract: An aspect of the present invention is an outer mirror in which an outer mirror main body is attached to an outer mirror attaching part of a vehicle body via an outer mirror base, characterized in that the outer mirror base has a shared base main body configured to support the outer mirror main body, and an exclusive spacer having one end abutting the shared base main body and the other end pressed against the outer mirror attaching part of the vehicle body via a gasket, wherein the exclusive spacer abuts and is fixed to the shared base main body, and an attaching screw passing through the outer mirror attaching part is threadedly attached to the exclusive spacer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2016
    Assignee: MURAKAMI CORPORATION
    Inventors: Eiichi Nishimura, Toru Shimura
  • Patent number: 9150157
    Abstract: In a convertible mirror assembly for a vehicle visor, a flexible mirror is operably coupled to a housing and is operable between first and second display states. A slider mechanism is slidably supported on the housing and operably coupled to the flexible mirror. The slider mechanism is adapted to move along the housing between retracted and extended positions, whereby the flexible mirror is in the first display state when the slider mechanism is in the retracted position, and in the second display state when the slider mechanism is in the extended position. When moved to the extended position, the slider mechanism urges the flexible mirror to an outwardly curved or convex configuration to define a conversation mirror configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2015
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Jon Robert Pendlebury
  • Patent number: 9035754
    Abstract: A vehicular exterior rearview mirror system includes an exterior rearview mirror assembly having a mirror reflective element that is fixedly attached at a mirror back plate. The mirror back plate includes an indicator structure that has a passageway that extends from the back plate at an angle relative to the portion of the back plate. At least one baffle is disposed within the passageway and is angled at the angle relative to the portion of the back plate. An indicator is mounted at an end portion of the passageway, and light emitted by the indicator passes through the passageway and through the mirror reflective element via an opening in the back plate. When the indicator is activated, light passing through the passageway and emanating from the mirror reflective element is at least partially shielded from direct view by the driver of the vehicle by the at least one baffle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2015
    Assignee: DONNELLY CORPORATION
    Inventor: Niall R. Lynam
  • Publication number: 20150077872
    Abstract: The present invention discloses a device integrating a rearview mirror and a driving recorder screen, which comprises a rearview mirror baseplate having at one rotary shaft on one lateral thereof; a mirror installed in the rearview mirror baseplate; and a driving recorder screen having at least one pivotal coupling member on one lateral thereof. The rotary shaft is coupled to the pivotal coupling member. Thereby, the driving recorder screen is integrated with the rearview mirror baseplate. Thus, the driver can watch the mirror and the driving recorder screen simultaneously, neither distracted nor fatigued. Therefore, the present invention not only can increase convenience of drivers but also can improve safety of driving.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 17, 2013
    Publication date: March 19, 2015
    Applicants: GEORGE TANG INDUSTRIAL CORP., IVS, INC.
    Inventors: RICHIE HOWARD, GEORGE TANG
  • Patent number: 8939590
    Abstract: A covering member appropriately covers an opening hole in a accommodating body. In a vehicle door mirror device, look of a visor body at the outer periphery of a mirror is enhanced by an upper covering plate and a lower covering plate of an inner cover covering an upper recess portion and a lower recess portion, respectively, in a peripheral wall of the visor body. The upper covering plate and the lower covering plate abut the upper recess portion and the lower recess portion, respectively. The upper covering plate and the lower covering plate can accordingly be positioned in the upper recess portion and the lower recess portion, respectively. The upper covering plate and the lower covering plate can accordingly appropriately cover the upper recess portion and the lower recess portion, respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2015
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Tokai-Rika-Denki-Seisakusho
    Inventors: Kazuhiro Sawada, Hiroyuki Muto
  • Patent number: 8936372
    Abstract: A door mirror for a vehicle includes a foldable unit to be provided turnably on a stay mounted to a vehicle-body side and a mirror housing for housing the foldable unit therein. A stopper of the foldable unit is configured to regulate a turning operation of the foldable unit by abutting a stopper receiver of the stay. The mirror housing includes positioning portion which is a cut out on the peripheral edge of the unit-mounting hole which fits over the stopper to connect the foldable unit and the mirror housing to each other in a predetermined positional relationship. The foldable unit and the mirror housing are configured such that screwing a setscrew into a screw-fixing hole of the foldable unit through the screw-insertion hole of the mirror housing, in a state in which a position portion is fitted over the stopper, attaches the foldable unit to the mirror housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 20, 2015
    Assignee: Mitsuba Corporation
    Inventor: Yoshitaka Kaneko
  • Patent number: 8891153
    Abstract: This invention discloses a low cost method to manufacture electrooptic devices at low cost and discloses materials that may be used in fabrication of electrooptic devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2014
    Assignee: Ajjer, LLC
    Inventors: Anoop Agrawal, Juan Carlos Lopez Tonazzi
  • Patent number: 8827517
    Abstract: A rearview assembly having a mounting structure configured to be operably coupled with a vehicle. A housing is operably connected with the mounting structure and a rearward viewing device is supported by one of the housing and the mounting structure. The rearward viewing device provides a rearward view to a vehicle driver and includes a front substrate and a rear substrate. The entire front surface of the front substrate is exposed and the entire rear substrate is positioned behind the front substrate. A concealing layer is disposed about a periphery of the rearward viewing device between the front substrate and the rear substrate. A partially optically transparent bezel is disposed adjacent to both the rearward viewing device and the housing, the optically transparent bezel having an edge radius greater than 2.5 mm and the optically transparent bezel being substantially flush with the front surface of the front substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2014
    Assignee: Gentex Corporation
    Inventors: David J. Cammenga, Danny L. Minikey, Jr., Mark R. Roth, William L. Tonar, Jeremy A. Fogg, Michael F. Lisowski, Peter N. Rizk
  • Patent number: 8794774
    Abstract: A mirror reflective element assembly for an exterior rearview mirror assembly includes a mirror casing, a reflective element, an auxiliary wide angle element and a back plate. The auxiliary wide angle element is disposed at the rear surface of a mirror substrate. A back plate mounting structure may establish a space at the mirror actuator that is sufficient for a portion of the auxiliary wide angle element to be disposed between a rear surface of the reflective element and the mirror actuator. The back plate may have at least one sealing element at least partially around a perimeter region of a wide angle element receiving portion of the back plate, and the sealing element may engage the rear surface of the mirror substrate when the back plate is attached to the reflective element and may limit intrusion of adhesive between the back plate and the mirror substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2014
    Assignee: Donnelly Corporation
    Inventors: Niall R. Lynam, Mitchell D. Burkhert, Tyson P. DeJonge, Hamid Habibi, Keith D. Foote, Donald S. Rawlings, Michael J. Baur
  • Publication number: 20140211333
    Abstract: A adjusting device for a vehicular mirror directly transmits any forces exerted on the mirror between a base member and a rotating member when the mirror is not being adjusted. This permits a small electric motor to be used that can withstand only comparatively small forces exerted on the mirror while the mirror is being adjusted. The device includes the motor, a cylindrical base, a rotating member and a driven member. The mirror is adjusted when the motor drives the rotating member, and the rotating member is uncoupled from the base member. When the motor rotates the driven member, the rotating member is forced axially apart from the base member as a decoupling element on the rotating member slides up an inclined portion on the driven member. When the motor is not driving the rotating member, the rotating member is uncoupled from the motor and couples to the base member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 27, 2014
    Publication date: July 31, 2014
    Applicant: Mekra Lang GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Werner Lang, Elmar Finkenberger, Albrecht Popp, Stefan Centmayer
  • Publication number: 20140192430
    Abstract: A vehicle overhead console is provided which includes a conversation mirror assembly having a housing capable of storing a conversation mirror. The conversation mirror may travel between a stored and a use position. The conversation mirror is releasably secured to the stored and use positions by way of magnetic, tab, and spring arrangements.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 7, 2013
    Publication date: July 10, 2014
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Bhavani Thota, Ricardo Juarez Favila, Salvador Soriano, Mark Haradean
  • Publication number: 20140192429
    Abstract: A vehicle overhead console is provided which includes a conversation mirror assembly having a housing defining a storage space for storing a conversation mirror. The conversation mirror may travel between a stowed and a use position. The conversation mirror is releasably secured to the stored and use positions by way of magnetic, tab, and spring arrangements.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 7, 2013
    Publication date: July 10, 2014
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Ricardo Juarez Favila, Bhavani Thota, Anna Hill, Justin Lee Healy, Jane Maria Aselage
  • Patent number: 8770766
    Abstract: A blind spot mirror configured to attach to a face of a side mounted automobile mirror to provide an enhanced view. The blind spot mirror includes a mirror and a mirror housing. The mirror housing includes a plurality of rectangular-column support posts and a plurality of protrusions configured to support the mirror. The blind spot mirror includes a base coupled to a rear surface of the mirror housing. The base includes a flat rear surface configured to couple to a face of a side mounted automobile mirror. The blind spot mirror includes a ball and socket coupling member coupled to the base and the mirror housing. The ball and socket coupling member is configured to functionally pivot the mirror housing about the side mounted automobile mirror. The ball and socket coupling member is disposed substantially off-center on the mirror housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2014
    Inventor: Harry Snegg
  • Patent number: 8764205
    Abstract: A vehicle outside mirror device includes a first rotation restraining mechanism and a second rotation restraining mechanism. As a result, the device is capable of restraining a rotation to a storage location and a rotation of a forward tilt location of a mirror assembly that is positioned in a use location. In this manner, the mirror assembly is rotated from the use location to the storage location by electrically driving an electrically driven storage unit, and then, even in a case where the mirror assembly has been restored from the storage location to the use location in a manually driven manner, in other words, even in a case where a clutch mechanism is disengaged, it becomes possible to lock the mirror assembly that is positioned in the use location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Assignee: Ichikoh Industries, Ltd.
    Inventor: Ikuo Sakata
  • Patent number: 8746904
    Abstract: A seal of an exterior rear view mirror assembly relative to a body part of a motor vehicle is described, which is formed as one piece, and comprises a sealing pad and a sealing grommet integrally molded on the sealing pad. The sealing pad covers at least one section of the surface of a minor base of the exterior rear view minor assembly lying on the bodywork side. The sealing grommet serves for sealing at least one feed-through opening, which is provided on the bodywork side for feed-through of the cable harness of the exterior rear view minor assembly. The sealing grommet is formed as an open hollow body on the free end, which is turned away from the sealing pad. A passage opening is provided for the cable harness at the intersection of the symmetry axis of the hollow body with the sealing pad.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2014
    Assignee: SMR Patents S.a.r.l.
    Inventors: Andreas Herrmann, Reinhard Koenig
  • Publication number: 20140146408
    Abstract: An exterior rearview mirror with a mirror glass that is embedded in a mirror head, where the mirror head is pivotably supported against a mirror base by being fastened to the vehicle, where the mirror glass includes at least two mirror parts having different radii of curvature, in that a separating line between the mirror parts passes through the area that meets the imaging specifications.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 6, 2012
    Publication date: May 29, 2014
    Applicant: SMR Patents S.a.r.l.
    Inventor: Raimund Negel
  • Publication number: 20140139938
    Abstract: A vehicle folding rear view mirror support mechanism having first (15) and second (16) pivotally interconnected support arm means. A first end (15b1) of the first support arm means is pivoted on a mounting bracket (18) for attachment to the vehicle, a second end (15c1) of the first support arm means is pivotally connected with a first end (16b1) of the second support arm means, and a mirror mount (22) is pivotally connected to a second end (16c1) of the second support arm means. The first and second arm means (15, 16) are movable between a retracted reduced width position in which the two arm means are in a side by side substantially parallel relationship and an extended increased width position in which the two arm means are substantially end to end and the mirror mount (22) is supported at its maximum distance from the mounting bracket (18).
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 19, 2013
    Publication date: May 22, 2014
    Applicant: AGCO International GmbH
    Inventor: Erich Freytag
  • Publication number: 20140063629
    Abstract: An interior side mirror for side blind spot of a car comprises a base fixed on the dash board or side door of the car, a side mirror, a flexible bar for connecting the base with the side mirror. The base and flexible bar locate the mirror at a best place before a driver, let the driver can view the side blind spot without turning head. The base can be anchor base or sand bag base or cardboard base or silicone sticky pad base or handle base. The flexible bar can be a ball-socket joint flexible bar or a flexible metal conduit bar. The mirror can be adjusted to a best place to reflect the blind spot.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 17, 2013
    Publication date: March 6, 2014
    Inventors: DAVY ZIDE QIAN, BENYU QIAN, LEQUN LU
  • Patent number: 8665510
    Abstract: A reflective element assembly for a vehicular rearview mirror assembly includes front and rear substrates with an electro-optic medium disposed therebetween. An electrical connector has an attachment portion and a wire receiving portion for receiving an electrical wire therein. A flange of the attachment portion is configured to be disposed at a fourth surface of the rear substrate and a tab is configured to extend at least partially across a perimeter edge of the rear substrate. An electrically conductive material is disposed in an uncured state and uncured electrically conductive material flows at least partially through the aperture and is cured to secure the electrical connector at the rear substrate. The wire receiving portion of the electrical connector is configured to receive the electrical wire therein and includes at least one tang that engages the electrical wire when the electrical wire is inserted into the wire receiving portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignee: Donnelly Corporation
    Inventors: John T. Uken, Michael J. Baur, Ian A. McCabe, Hamid Habibi
  • Publication number: 20140029123
    Abstract: An interior side mirror for side blind spot of a car comprises a base fixed on the dash board or side door of the car, a side mirror, a flexible bar for connecting the base with the side mirror. The base and flexible bar locate the mirror at a best place before a driver, let the driver can view the side blind spot without turning head. The base can be anchor base or sand bag base or cardboard base or silicone sticky pad base. The flexible bar can be a ball-socket joint flexible bar or a flexible metal conduit bar. The mirror can be adjusted to a best place to reflect the blind spot.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 30, 2013
    Publication date: January 30, 2014
    Inventors: DAVY ZIDE QIAN, BENYU QIAN, LEQUN LU
  • Patent number: 8622559
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a mirror support used in a door mirror vehicle which provides stability and distributes the forces in an uniform way due to two gear knees which are attached to the first ends of two perpendicular arms, a first arm and a second arm setting up a cross and also relates to a device to adjust the orientation of a mirror comprising the clutch mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2014
    Assignee: Fico Mirrors, S.A.
    Inventor: Moises Caballero Tapia
  • Patent number: 8602569
    Abstract: An exterior rear view mirror of a motor vehicle, which comprises an exterior rear view mirror housing and at least one electrical connection to at least one electrical component at least partly housed in the inside of the exterior rear view mirror housing. The electrical connection comprises at least one connection cable and at least one plug connection. The plug connection comprises a first plug part connected to the electrical component at least by means of one section of the at least one connection cable, and a second plug part assigned to the first plug part, fixed in the exterior rear view mirror housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2013
    Assignee: SMR Patents S.a.r.l.
    Inventors: Arne Schmierer, Raimund Negel, Andreas Herrmann, Istvan Szmolenszki
  • Patent number: 8602570
    Abstract: An exterior rear view mirror for a motor vehicle, which exterior rear view mirror consists of at least two components which are connected to each other. At least one connection between the components includes at least one connecting arrangement, which is suitable for transfer of both transverse forces and compression forces and tractive forces, as well as transfer of moments from a first component to a second component. The connecting arrangement comprises a spring arranged on the first component, with inclined flanks, diverging at least in sections, seen from the first component, and a receiving groove, which is assigned to the spring, provided on the second component. The spring engages in the receiving groove. The spring and the receiving groove comprise a complementary, positive interlocking cross-section, at least in sections, so that the inclined flanks and the receiving groove form a rearward engagement normal to the receiving groove.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2013
    Assignee: SMR Patents S.a.r.l.
    Inventors: Andreas Herrmann, Istvan Szmolenszki
  • Patent number: 8583329
    Abstract: Vehicle control system and method in which restrictions on travel of the vehicle are determined based on an indication of the visibility of a driver and information about objects moving in a direction opposite to the direction of travel of the vehicle are considered. The travel restrictions include preventing a passing maneuver on a two-lane road when an oncoming vehicle precludes safely initiating or completing an already-initiated passing maneuver. A warning system is provided to warn a driver about the travel restrictions so that the driver will, hopefully, not attempt an unsafe maneuver.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2013
    Assignee: American Vehicular Sciences LLC
    Inventor: David S. Breed
  • Patent number: 8559093
    Abstract: An electrochromic mirror reflective element suitable for use in a rearview mirror assembly of a vehicle includes first and second substrates having an electrochromic medium disposed therebetween and bounded by a perimeter seal. A perimeter coating is disposed at a second surface of the first substrate proximate at least a perimeter portion of the first substrate. The perimeter coating generally conceals the perimeter seal from view by a person viewing a first surface of the first substrate and through the first substrate. An at least partially reflective stack of thin films is disposed at least a portion of a third surface of the second substrate. The perimeter seal is at least partially visible to a person viewing a fourth surface of the second substrate and through the second substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2013
    Assignee: Donnelly Corporation
    Inventors: Desaraju V. Varaprasad, Mingtang Zhao, Craig A. Dornan, Anoop Agrawal, Pierr-Marc Allemand, Niall R. Lynam
  • Patent number: 8550641
    Abstract: A manually retractable vehicle door mirror which can reduce the number of parts and improve efficiency of assembly operations as well as provide large bearing capacity at a location outwardly away from a shaft location to bear bending moments acting on a housing support member due to external forces. A housing support member is formed integrally with a shaft, annular wall, and a housing-support-member-side portion of a clutch, which are placed coaxially with a rotation axis. A housing is fixedly coupled to the housing support member. A base is formed integrally with a shaft passage hole, annular wall housing groove, and a base-side portion of a clutch, which are placed coaxially with a rotation axis. The shaft is rotatably inserted into the shaft passage hole, the annular wall is rotatably housed in the annular wall housing groove, and the housing support member is supported on the base in such a way as to be able to rotate around the rotation axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2013
    Assignee: Murakami Corporation
    Inventor: Kota Iseki
  • Publication number: 20130250445
    Abstract: An exterior mirror has a mirror foot lower part mounted in a cavity in a vehicle door. A mirror foot upper part is mounted on the mirror foot lower part via a six-point mounting so that the mirror foot upper part protrudes from the door. A mirror head is mounted on the mirror foot upper part. The two mirror foot parts are held pressed together via a leaf spring and a separating plane between the two mirror foot parts of the exterior mirror is in the door cavity. In the event of a pendulum impact, the mirror foot upper part together with the mirror head is separated from the door-mounted mirror foot lower part and remains in the cavity of the door.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 22, 2013
    Publication date: September 26, 2013
    Applicant: Dr. Ing. h.c.F. Porsche Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Marcus Mueller
  • Patent number: 8517547
    Abstract: The subject is an exterior rear view mirror with at least one base support and a carrier plate holding the mirror glass, adjustably arranged in relation to the base support. At least one friction bearing is provided between the carrier plate and the base support, which includes at least one friction spring arranged on the carrier plate, projecting in the direction of the base support, with at least one first guide support and at least one second guide support assigned to the base support. The first and second guide surfaces come into contact with each other. A slot, arranged on the base support, assigned to the friction spring, comprises a receiving opening, into which the friction spring is inserted. The receiving opening is bordered by at least one wall, which forms at least a second guide surface of the friction bearing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2013
    Assignee: SMR Patents S.a.r.l.
    Inventors: Andreas Herrmann, Istvan Szmolenszki
  • Patent number: 8508384
    Abstract: A rearview mirror assembly for a vehicle includes an electro-optic mirror reflective element having a front glass substrate and a rear glass substrate, with no portion of the rear glass substrate extending beyond any portion of the front glass substrate. The reflective element includes a perimeter band disposed around a perimeter border region of a second surface of the front glass substrate. The perimeter band generally conceals the presence of a perimeter seal from view by the driver of the vehicle. A plastic molding may be circumferentially disposed about the circumferential edge of the front glass substrate without overlapping onto the first surface of the front glass substrate. The outermost part of the plastic molding may lack a sharp edge. The plane of the first surface of the front glass substrate may be generally flush with the outermost part of the plastic molding.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2013
    Assignee: Donnelly Corporation
    Inventors: John T. Uken, Lee Karner, Richard R. Hook, Niall R. Lynam
  • Patent number: 8503061
    Abstract: A reflective element assembly for a vehicular mirror assembly includes a front substrate, a rear substrate, an electro-optic medium disposed between the front and rear substrates and a transmission-reducing thin film coating established at the fourth surface of the rear substrate. A window is established through the transmission-reducing thin film coating and is substantially devoid of the thin film coating at a location where a sensor is disposed behind the reflective element and having a field of view through the reflective element and through the window. A portion of the transmission-reducing thin film coating at and around the window locally varies in physical thickness, with a minimum physical thickness of the thin film coating being closest to the window and with the physical thickness of the thin film coating generally increasing to a generally maximum physical thickness of the thin film coating at a distance from the window.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Assignee: Magna Mirrors of America, Inc.
    Inventors: John T. Uken, Michael J. Baur, Ian A. McCabe, Hamid Habibi
  • Patent number: 8491137
    Abstract: A mirror reflective element assembly for an exterior rearview mirror assembly of a vehicle includes a reflective element and an auxiliary wide angle element. The reflective element has a front surface and a rear surface and a first reflector portion and a second reflector portion, with the first reflector portion having a first reflective coating disposed thereat. The auxiliary wide angle element is disposed at a rear surface of the glass mirror substrate of the reflective element and at the second reflector portion. The auxiliary wide angle element has a glass element having a curved rear surface with a second reflective coating disposed at the curved rear surface. An optical coupling element may be disposed between a front surface of the auxiliary wide angle element and the rear surface of the reflective element, the optical coupling element may be a substantially optically clear and flexible elastomer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2013
    Assignee: Magna Mirrors of America, Inc.
    Inventors: Niall R. Lynam, Mitchell D. Burkert, Tyson P. DeJonge, Hamid Habibi, Keith D. Foote, Donald S. Rawlings, Michael J. Baur
  • Patent number: 8485674
    Abstract: A semi truck side view mirror road spray contamination deflector for use on such vehicles using a side view mirror in conjunction with a separate convex spot mirror. The deflector is comprised of a rigid, weatherproof shield with a pliable weatherstripping attached, that when mounted horizontally, bridges the gap between the two mirrors, effectively redirecting the airflow thus eliminating road spray and excess moisture from creeping up the back of the spot mirror and splashing onto the upper mirrors reflective surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2013
    Inventor: Jill Anne Jenssen
  • Patent number: 8488256
    Abstract: A rear-view system for a motor vehicle including a catadioptric assembly of at least one external or internal rearview mirror including a non-planar mirror and at least one diopter forming part of a side window of the vehicle or integrated thereto. The mirror and the diopter are configured and designed such that the image of the object restored by the mirror-diopter assembly is not substantially deformed and such that the blind spot or zone not covered by the system is minimized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2013
    Assignee: Saint-Gobain Glass France
    Inventors: Aurelie Couery, Corinne Payen
  • Patent number: 8474990
    Abstract: A vehicle inside mirror device employs a ball clamp in which a barrel-shaped ball clamp is prepared by assembling a pair of semi-barrel-shaped and symmetrical bodies to accommodate for manufacturing errors and the like. The ball clamp includes a mirror through which a driver can view rearwardly; and a mirror mounting part. The mirror mounting part has a barrel-shaped hinge part. A first ball clamp surrounds and clamps the hinge part. A second ball clamp corresponds to the first ball clamp with a spring between the first ball clamp and the second ball clamp for generating an expansion force. The mirror mounting part is fixed to a glass or a ceiling of a vehicle and has a hinge part for coupling the second ball clamp thereto. A tube surrounding the first ball clamp, the second ball clamp and the spring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2013
    Assignee: SMR Patents S.a.r.l.
    Inventors: Hyok-Joo Hwang, Young Duck Ko, Kyung Jun Lee, Jin Gee Choi
  • Patent number: 8466779
    Abstract: A vehicular exterior rearview mirror system includes an exterior rearview mirror assembly and a mirror reflective element sub-assembly having a mirror reflective element. A display indicator has a light source that is activatable to emit light. The light source is disposed behind the reflective element and light emitted by the light source passes through the reflective element to be viewed by the driver of the vehicle. The display indicator is associated with a blind spot detection system of the vehicle and the light source of the display indicator is activated responsive to sensing by a sensor of the blind spot detection system of an object in a blind spot at a side of the vehicle. During daytime operation of the vehicle and when the light source is activated, the display indicator, as viewed by the driver of the vehicle, has a luminance of at least about 5,000 nits.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2013
    Assignee: Donnelly Corporation
    Inventor: Niall R. Lynam
  • Patent number: 8461971
    Abstract: Provided is an information presentation system installed on a vehicle, and including a robot (100) having a driver unit (120) to drive the robot (100) and an output unit (130) to output information generated according to vehicle conditions, and a robot control device (200) having an information acquirer unit (210) to acquire the information generated according to the vehicle conditions, an action controller unit (220) to cause the driver unit (120) to drive the robot (100) in response to the acquired information, thereby causing the robot (100) to take an action of informing a passenger that information will be presented, and an information presenter unit (230) to cause the robot (100) to take an action of presenting the information after taking the action of informing the passenger that the information will be presented.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2013
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Katsumi Ohta, Hideaki Hozumi, Takeshi Mitamura, Hiroyuki Sakai
  • Publication number: 20130135477
    Abstract: An accessory mounting system for mounting an electronic device at a windshield of a vehicle includes a bracket. The bracket is configured to mount at an interior surface of the vehicle windshield. The bracket includes an attaching structure configured to attach the bracket at the interior surface of the vehicle windshield. The bracket may include a support frame coupled to an attaching structure and to an adjustable support of an interior rearview mirror assembly. The support frame may have a set off portion set off from the interior surface of the windshield to accommodate an electronic device between the windshield and the set off portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 25, 2013
    Publication date: May 30, 2013
    Applicant: DONNELLY CORPORATION
    Inventor: Donnelly Corporation
  • Patent number: 8434880
    Abstract: A damper is provided for a rear view mirror with motorized actuation. A damper is provided between the mirror and its frame assembly for the purpose of shock absorption or vibration reduction. Each damper comprises a bracket and a boss. A polymer contact material such as an O-ring 24 is mounted onto the free end of the bracket and contacts the boss. The frictional and elastic properties etc. of the contact material determine the damping and frictional characteristics of the movement of the mirror with respect to the boss.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2013
    Inventor: Michael Ferman
  • Patent number: 8414136
    Abstract: A vehicle mirror apparatus comprising a mirror provided at a vehicle; a pivoting member holding the mirror; a sliding part provided at the pivoting member; a holding member pivotably holding the pivoting member, whereby an angle of a mirror surface of the mirror is adjusted; and a pivoting surface provided at the holding member. The sliding part is made slidable on the pivoting surface while a gap is provided between an edge of the holding member at a side of the pivoting member and the pivoting member in a pivoting radial direction of the pivoting member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2013
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Tokai-Rika-Denki-Seisakusho
    Inventors: Nobuhiro Kudo, Isao Sumi
  • Publication number: 20130076904
    Abstract: A vehicular accessory mounting system includes a structure adhesively attached at a region of an interior surface of the vehicle windshield. The structure is configured to accommodate an accessory. A light absorbing layer at the region of the interior surface of the vehicle windshield at least partially hides the structure from view by a viewer, who is external the vehicle, viewing through the windshield. The accessory views through a light transmitting portion of the light absorbing layer and through the windshield to the exterior of the vehicle when the structure is attached at the region of the interior surface of the windshield and when the accessory is accommodated thereat. The structure may include a mirror assembly mount button and the mirror assembly mount button may be configured to be received by a mirror mount of an interior rearview mirror assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 12, 2012
    Publication date: March 28, 2013
    Applicant: DONNELLY CORPORATION
    Inventor: DONNELLY CORPORATION
  • Publication number: 20130070354
    Abstract: A partition wall for partitioning a mirror accommodating space for accommodating a mirror holder and a mirror surface angle adjusting unit, and a harness accommodating space for accommodating a harness are provided in a mirror housing of an electric door mirror. An opening for exposing the terminal part of the mirror surface angle adjusting unit to the harness accommodating space, and insertion through-holes located to surround the opening and through which screws passes from the harness accommodating space toward the mirror surface angle adjusting unit respectively are formed in the partition wall. Further, reinforcing tube portions surrounding the insertion through-holes and protruding to the harness accommodating space are installed in the partition wall.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 27, 2012
    Publication date: March 21, 2013
    Applicant: MURAKAMI CORPORATION
    Inventor: Ryosuke IBA