MAGNA MIRRORS OF AMERICA, INC. Patent applications |
Patent application number | Title | Published |
20140333770 | REARVIEW VISION SYSTEM FOR VEHICLE - A rearview vision system for a vehicle includes a reflective element disposed at a driver or passenger side portion of a vehicle and a camera disposed at or near the reflective element and having a field of view that encompasses at least a portion of the reflective element. The camera and the reflective element are disposed at the side portion of the vehicle so that images of the scene occurring to the side and rear of the vehicle are reflected off of the reflective element and viewed by the camera. The camera captures image data for display of images by a display device that is viewable by a driver of the vehicle when normally operating the vehicle so as to provide the driver with a generally sideward and rearward field of view. | 11-13-2014 |
20140327951 | FRAMELESS INTERIOR REARVIEW MIRROR ASSEMBLY - An interior rearview mirror assembly for a vehicle includes a mirror casing and an electro-optic reflective element. The reflective element has an electro-optic active region where an electro-optic medium is disposed and bounded by a perimeter seal. A transparent electrically conductive coating is established at the rear surface of the front substrate at the electro-optic active region. A perimeter portion of the front substrate extends beyond a corresponding perimeter portion of the rear substrate to establish a user input region that is outboard of the electro-optic active region. A user input, such as a touch sensor, is disposed at the user input region, and the user input is not in electrical contact with the transparent electrically conductive coating at the rear surface of the front substrate. The user input is operable to detect the presence or touch of a person's finger at the user input region. | 11-06-2014 |
20140313563 | INTERIOR REARVIEW MIRROR ASSEMBLY - A rearview mirror assembly for a vehicle includes a mirror casing and an electro-optic reflective element assembly disposed at the mirror casing. A second surface of a front substrate of the reflective element assembly has a transparent conductive coating established thereat and a third surface of a rear substrate has a conductive coating established thereat. An electrical connector may be disposed at the fourth surface and in electrically conductive continuity with the transparent conductive coating and/or the conductive coating. The electrical connector may include a connector attaching portion for attaching at the fourth surface and a conductor attaching portion for soldering or welding an electrical conductor or wire to the electrical connector when the electrical connector is attached at the fourth surface. The conductor attaching portion is spaced from the plane of the connector attaching portion and the fourth surface of the rear substrate. | 10-23-2014 |
20140293169 | REARVIEW MIRROR ASSEMBLY - A vehicular rearview minor assembly includes a mirror reflective element and a touch sensor device disposed behind a portion of the reflective element and operable to sense the presence of a person's finger at a touch zone of the reflective element proximate to the touch sensor device. A backlighting device is disposed behind the touch sensor device and is operable to backlight a portion of the touch sensor device. The touch sensor device includes a touch sensor substrate having a conductive trace established at a patterned conductive zone of the touch sensor substrate. When the backlighting device is activated, light emanating from the backlighting device passes through the patterned conductive zone of the touch sensor substrate and illuminates an icon so that the icon is viewable through the reflective element by a driver of the vehicle when the rearview mirror assembly is normally mounted at the vehicle. | 10-02-2014 |
20140292004 | VEHICLE DOOR HANDLE SYSTEM - A door handle system includes a door handle assembly that is configured to mount at a handle region of a vehicle door and includes a handle portion fixedly disposed at the vehicle door and a strain gauge sensor. The strain gauge sensor is for sensing at least one of (i) grasping of the handle portion by a user and (ii) pulling at the handle portion by a user. Responsive to sensing by the sensor, a signal is communicated that causes a latch of the vehicle door to open to allow the user to open the vehicle door. | 10-02-2014 |
20140266666 | REARVIEW MIRROR ASSEMBLY - 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. | 09-18-2014 |
20140254015 | EXTERIOR MIRROR WITH SPOTTER MIRROR - An exterior rearview mirror assembly for a vehicle includes a principal reflective element, a wide angle auxiliary reflective element and a back plate. The principal reflective element is disposed at a principal reflective element region of the back plate and has a cutout at a corner region thereof. The wide angle auxiliary reflective element is disposed at the auxiliary reflective element region of the back plate and is adjacent to the principal reflective element at the corner region of the principal reflective element. A single heater pad is disposed between the principal reflective element and the principal reflective element region of the back plate and between the wide angle auxiliary reflective element and the auxiliary reflective element region of the back plate. When powered, the single heater pad heats the principal reflective element and the wide angle auxiliary reflective element. | 09-11-2014 |
20140240811 | EXTERIOR MIRROR WITH SPOTTER MIRROR - A rearview mirror reflective element assembly for an exterior mirror assembly of a vehicle includes a mirror reflective element having a principal mirror and an auxiliary wide angle spotter mirror. A curved recess is established at a spotter portion of a rear surface of a glass substrate of the mirror reflective element. A spotter mirror reflector coating is established at at least a portion of the curved recess to establish the auxiliary wide angle spotter mirror. A principal mirror reflector coating is established at a surface of the mirror reflective element to establish the principal mirror. A portion of the curved recess is substantially not coated with the spotter mirror reflector coating or a portion of the spotter mirror reflector coating is at least partially hidden from view of a person viewing the front of the mirror reflective element by a coating of the mirror reflective element. | 08-28-2014 |
20140197025 | HOT TILE SPUTTERING SYSTEM - A method of sputter coating a glass substrate includes providing a glass substrate and providing a sputtering assembly for sputtering a coating onto the glass substrate in a vacuum deposition chamber. The sputtering assembly includes a backing plate and a separating element disposed on the backing plate. At least one target element is provided and disposed at and in contact with a surface of the separating element. The target element is not bonded the separating element when disposed at and in contact with the surface of the separating element. An expansion gap is provided at or adjacent to the target element to allow for expansion of the target element during the sputtering process. Material from the target element is sputtered and the target element is heated to a substantially elevated temperature during the sputtering process. The sputtering process coats a surface of the glass substrate with the target element material. | 07-17-2014 |
20140176715 | EXTERIOR MIRROR SYSTEM FOR A VEHICLE - An exterior mirror system for a vehicle includes exterior rearview mirror assemblies mounted at respective sides of the vehicle. The mirror assemblies include a light module and a camera. The cameras are part of a multi-camera vision system that includes a display device that is operable to display images for viewing by the vehicle driver. The indicator of the light module includes a signal light that is configured to provide light that is observable to another driver of another vehicle who is (i) approaching the vehicle from its rear and/or (ii) overtaking the vehicle in the side lane adjacent to the side of the vehicle at which mirror assembly is mounted. Actuation of the signal light provides (i) light forwardly of the vehicle so that drivers of other vehicles approaching the vehicle may observe the actuated signal light and/or (ii) light laterally with respect to the vehicle. | 06-26-2014 |
20140173894 | METHOD OF COATING A REAR GLASS SUBSTRATE FOR AN ELECTROCHROMIC MIRROR REFLECTIVE ELEMENT - A method of coating a rear glass substrate for an electrochromic reflective element includes providing a fixture having a recess and a masking element extending from a perimeter region of the recess over a portion of the recess. The masking element includes a disc portion and an arm portion extending between the disc portion and the perimeter region of the recess of the fixture. A rear glass substrate is positioned in the recess and the masking element extends over and is spaced from the surface of the glass substrate. The glass substrate surface is coated with a mirror reflector coating. The masking element is shaped such that the mirror reflector coating is deposited at the surface behind the arm portion but is substantially not deposited behind the disc portion so as to establish a window region through the mirror reflector coating at the glass substrate surface. | 06-26-2014 |
20140170357 | VEHICLE WINDOW ASSEMBLY WITH LOUVERED WINDOW - A window assembly for a vehicle includes a plurality of window panels arranged with at least one pair of adjacent window panels, with adjacent edge portions of adjacent ones of the window panels joined by a respective molded joining element. The adjacent edge portions joined by a respective molded joining element are offset or non-coplanar. The molded joining element may comprise an encapsulation that at least partially receives a perimeter edge portion of at least one of the adjacent window panels. The molded joining element may at least partially receive a rear perimeter edge portion of a forward window panel and may not overlap an outer surface of the forward window panel, with the molded joining element at least partially receiving a front perimeter edge portion of a rearward window panel. | 06-19-2014 |
20140141194 | COVER PANEL FOR AN APPLIANCE - A cover assembly for an appliance includes a glass panel having an outer surface and an inner surface. The glass panel has a side perimeter edge about a periphery of the glass panel and extending between the inner surface and a rounded outer perimeter edge of the glass panel. The rounded outer perimeter edge of the glass panel is exposed when the cover assembly is normally mounted at an appliance. The rounded outer perimeter edge of the glass panel comprises a rounded surface established between the outer surface and the side perimeter edge. At least one attachment element is configured for engaging a corresponding structure of the appliance when the cover assembly is disposed at the appliance. | 05-22-2014 |
20140133044 | EXTERIOR MIRROR ASSEMBLY WITH ACTUATOR - An exterior mirror assembly for a vehicle includes a mounting portion mountable at a side of a vehicle, a mirror head portion at the mounting portion, and an actuator. The mirror head portion includes a mirror casing and a reflective element at least partially housed at the mirror casing. The actuator is operable to impart pivotal movement of the reflective element mirror relative to the mirror casing to adjust a rearward field of view of a driver of the vehicle. The actuator includes a drive post that is pivotally attached at the reflective element. The actuator also includes a motor that rotatably drives a clutch device to adjust the drive post to adjust the reflective element relative to the mirror casing. The clutch device allows for manual adjustment of the reflective element and the drive post in a non-ratcheting manner. | 05-15-2014 |
20140133043 | INTERIOR REARVIEW MIRROR ASSEMBLY - An interior rearview mirror assembly for a vehicle includes a mirror reflective element having at least one transparent or glass substrate and a mirror reflector established at a surface of the at least one transparent or glass substrate. A mirror backplate is disposed to the rear of the mirror reflective element. A mounting base is configured for attachment at an interior portion of a vehicle. The mounting base includes a ball member. A socket element is formed separate from the mirror backplate and the mounting base. The socket element is attachable at the mirror backplate and is configured to pivotally attach to the ball member of the mounting base. With the socket element attached at the mirror backplate, the socket element pivotally attaches to the ball member to pivotally mount the mirror backplate and the mirror reflective element at the mounting base. | 05-15-2014 |
20140125282 | CHARGE PORT ILLUMINATION SYSTEM FOR ELECTRIC VEHICLE - A charge port illumination system for a vehicle includes a charge port configured for electrically connecting to a charging source to charge a power source of the vehicle. A pocket assembly is disposed at or proximate to the charge port and includes a base and a bezel at an outer region of the base. At least a portion of the bezel is exposed and viewable when the charge port is accessed to charge the power source. At least one illumination source is disposed at or behind the bezel. The illumination source, responsive to an activating event associated with an electric charging event, is activated to provide backlighting of the bezel. The activated illumination source is automatically deactivated responsive to a deactivating event. | 05-08-2014 |
20140098230 | BLIND ZONE DETECTION AND ALERT SYSTEM FOR VEHICLE - An alert system for a vehicle includes a sensor and a control. The sensor is disposed at a side portion of a vehicle and has at least a generally sidewardly and rearwardly sensing direction. The control is operable to process an output of the sensor to determine if an object of interest is present in the sensing region at or near the side of the vehicle. Responsive to at least one of (i) the vehicle being stopped, (ii) the vehicle transmission being shifted into park and (iii) the vehicle ignition being turned off, the control is operable to process the sensor output to detect an object at or near the side of the vehicle or approaching the vehicle along the side of the vehicle, and, responsive to detection of such an object, the alert system generates an alert to an occupant of the vehicle. | 04-10-2014 |
20140097636 | VEHICLE WINDOW WITH SHADE - A window assembly for a vehicle includes inner and outer window panels and a spacer element disposed between the window panels to establish an interpane cavity, with a roller shade disposed therein having an end fixedly attached at an anchor stop. A dielectric layer is disposed between the roller shade and a conductive layer at the inner window panel. The shade is operable via applying a voltage at the conductive layer and at the anchor stop to uncoil the shade from a coiled light transmitting condition to an at least partially uncoiled light attenuating condition. The window assembly may include conductive elements established at the dielectric layer for dissipating charge at the dielectric layer when the voltage is not applied and/or may mechanically retain the shade in its uncoiled state to allow for reduction in the voltage applied when the shade is uncoiled. | 04-10-2014 |
20140047772 | VEHICLE WINDOW ASSEMBLY WITH ARTICULATING PANEL - A window assembly for a vehicle includes a fixed window panel having an aperture formed therethrough and a movable window panel that is articulatably attached at the fixed window panel and is articulatable between a closed position, where the movable window panel is disposed in the aperture and is substantially coplanar with the fixed window panel, and an opened position, where at least a portion of the movable window panel is moved outward from the aperture. The movable window panel is attacked at the fixed window panel via at least one hinge element at a first perimeter region of the movable window panel and a latch element at a second perimeter region of the movable window panel, with the second perimeter region being opposite the first perimeter region. | 02-20-2014 |
20140028471 | EXTERIOR MIRROR REFLECTIVE ELEMENT SUB-ASSEMBLY - A mirror reflective element sub-assembly includes a mirror reflective element and a mirror back plate. The back plate has an indicator mounting portion. An aperture is established through the back plate generally at the indicator mounting portion. A heater pad is disposed between the mirror reflective element and the back plate. The heater pad has a light transmitting portion generally aligned with the aperture of the back plate. A self-contained substantially sealed indicator is mounted at the indicator mounting portion and has a light source that is activatable to emit light. When an equipped exterior rearview mirror assembly is mounted at a side of a vehicle and with the light source activated, light emitted by the light source transmits through the aperture of the back plate and the light transmitting portion of the heater pad and exits the mirror reflective element. | 01-30-2014 |
20140022620 | MIRROR ASSEMBLY WITH FORMED REFLECTIVE ELEMENT SUBSTRATE - An exterior rearview mirror assembly for a vehicle includes a mirror head portion and a reflective element accommodated by the mirror head portion. The reflective element includes a glass substrate and a mirror reflector coated at a surface of the glass substrate. The reflective element is configured to provide a field of view of at least about 15 degrees at the side of the vehicle and provides a substantially undistorted reflected image as viewed by the driver of the vehicle. The reflective element may have a width dimension of less than about 15 cm and a height dimension of less than about 9 cm. The mirror substrate is curved or formed via a hydro-bending process utilizing at least one bending element, which may be CNC formed in accordance with a free form pattern of curvatures. | 01-23-2014 |
20140022390 | INTERIOR REARVIEW MIRROR ASSEMBLY - An interior rearview mirror assembly for a vehicle includes a mirror reflective element and a video display device operable to display video information that is viewable by a driver of the vehicle through said mirror reflective element and at a display region of said mirror reflective element. The video display device may be operable to display a directional heading at a compass display portion of the display region, and means may be provided to adjust the directional heading display to limit image sticking of the displayed directional heading. The mirror assembly may have a touch zone having at least one touch pad established at a perimeter border band of the reflective element, and may have another touch sensor to detect a touch of a user away from the touch zone to determine when a detected touch at the touch zone is an unintentional touch. | 01-23-2014 |
20140002882 | VEHICLE MIRROR ASSEMBLY WITH WIDE ANGLE ELEMENT | 01-02-2014 |
20130338882 | ACCESSORY SYSTEM FOR VEHICLE - An accessory system for a vehicle includes an electronics module disposed at an interior surface of a windshield of the vehicle and a mirror head having an electro-optic reflective element. The mirror head is pivotally attached at the electronics module. Control circuitry is disposed in the electronics module. When the mirror head is pivotally attached at the electronics module, the control circuitry is electrically connected to the electro-optic reflective element of the mirror head. The control circuitry is at least operable to control the dimming of the electro-optic reflective element responsive to at least one photosensor. The control circuitry may be associated with at least one other function or system of the vehicle. | 12-19-2013 |
20130321940 | MIRROR ASSEMBLY FOR VEHICLE - 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. | 12-05-2013 |
20130321633 | DISPLAY SYSTEM FOR VEHICLE - A display system of a vehicle includes a windshield of a vehicle, an interior rearview mirror assembly, an assembly disposed at an upper region of the windshield, and a display device disposed at the assembly. The upper region of the windshield includes a display region. The display device is operable to project a mirror image of display information towards and onto the display region of the windshield for viewing by a driver of the vehicle. The display information is viewable at the display region of the windshield and is viewable and discernible by the driver of the vehicle when the driver is normally operating the vehicle. | 12-05-2013 |
20130314761 | ELECTRO-OPTIC REARVIEW MIRROR ASSEMBLY FOR VEHICLE - 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. | 11-28-2013 |
20130255156 | SLIDER WINDOW ASSEMBLY - A vehicular slider window assembly ( | 10-03-2013 |
20130250592 | VEHICLE EXTERIOR MIRROR SYSTEM - An exterior mirror system for a vehicle includes an exterior mirror assembly having an indicator having at least one light emitting diode. The indicator may include a light guiding element that guides light emitted by the at least one light emitting diode. The at least one light emitting diode may be associated with circuitry of the exterior mirror assembly. During low ambient lighting conditions at night, the intensity of light emitted by the at least one light emitting diode of the indicator is reduced under photosensor control to a nighttime intensity level. The nighttime intensity level is greater than about 0.3 candela and is less than about 200 candelas. | 09-26-2013 |
20130242586 | VEHICLE EXTERIOR MIRROR SYSTEM WITH LIGHT MODULE - 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. | 09-19-2013 |
20130207799 | LIGHTED EXTERIOR MIRROR ASSEMBLY FOR VEHICLE - A lighted exterior mirror assembly for a vehicle includes a housing that houses a reflectance element. A turn signal indicator unit is disposed at a portion of the housing and has an enclosure and a light-transmitting cover joined with the enclosure. The turn signal indicator unit includes a plurality of light emitting diodes. At least some light emitting diodes of the plurality of light emitting diodes, when individually operating at about 25 degrees C. at a forward voltage of at least about 2 volts and at a forward current of at least about 20 mA, may individually emit light with a luminous intensity of at least about 500 mcd. When the plurality of light emitting diodes is powered, the pattern of light emitted by the turn signal indicator unit may be principally directed away from the side of the vehicle at which the lighted exterior mirror assembly is attached. | 08-15-2013 |
20130174488 | SLIDER WINDOW ASSEMBLY - A slider window assembly for a vehicle includes a frame portion having an upper rail and a lower rail, at least one fixed window panel that is fixed relative to the frame portion, and a movable window panel that is movable along the upper and lower rails. The movable window panel is movable between a closed position and an opened position. The movable window panel may include a panel portion and a carrier element integrally formed with the panel portion, with the carrier portion slidably received in the lower rail and movable along the lower rail as the movable window panel is moved between its closed and opened positions. | 07-11-2013 |
20130130674 | ILLUMINATION MODULE FOR VEHICLE - A door handle assembly for a door of a vehicle includes a handle portion and an illumination module. The handle portion is disposed at the vehicle door and movable to actuate a locking mechanism of the vehicle door to open the vehicle door. The illumination module includes at least one illumination source and an icon element and a cover element. The illumination source, when operated, backlights the icon element so that an icon of the icon element is viewable through the cover element at an exterior surface of the handle portion. The icon element includes a security icon and the illumination module is operable to backlight the security icon when a security system of the vehicle is operational. | 05-23-2013 |
20130112836 | INTERIOR MIRROR MOUNTING ASSEMBLY WITH INTEGRALLY FORMED METALLIC BALL AND ARM - An interior rearview mirror assembly includes a mirror head and a mounting assembly for adjustably mounting the mirror head at an interior portion of a vehicle. The mounting assembly includes a mounting base that is attachable to an interior portion of the vehicle and a mounting arm adjustably joined to the mounting base via a base joint. The mirror head is pivotally adjustable relative to the mounting arm via a mirror pivot joint. The mounting arm includes an arm portion and a mirror ball portion that are unitarily formed of a metallic material. The mirror ball portion of the mounting arm is pivotally received at a socket element of the mirror head. The mirror head is adjustable about the base and mirror joints to adjust a rearward field of view of a driver of the vehicle when the mirror assembly is normally mounted in the vehicle. | 05-09-2013 |
20130107386 | EXTERIOR MIRROR ASSEMBLY WITH ACTUATOR | 05-02-2013 |
20130088884 | REARVIEW MIRROR ASSEMBLY - A rearview mirror assembly includes a mirror reflective element, a front mirror casing portion configured to receive the mirror reflective element, a rear mirror casing and a mirror backplate. The mirror backplate includes a generally planar attachment portion for attaching at a rear surface of the mirror reflective element and includes a perimeter flange circumscribing a perimeter of the generally planar attachment portion. The perimeter flange is partially received in the rear mirror casing portion and partially received in the front mirror casing portion, and the perimeter flange couples the front and rear mirror casing portions to the mirror backplate. | 04-11-2013 |
20130086844 | VEHICULAR SLIDING WINDOW ASSEMBLY - A sliding window assembly for a vehicle includes a frameless fixed portion having first and second glass window portions and includes a sliding portion having a glass window panel. The sliding window assembly is a horizontal sliding window assembly and is configured for mounting at an opening of a bodywork of the vehicle. Upper and lower track members are adhesively attached at the rear surface of the first and second fixed glass window portions and no portion of the upper and lower track members is in contact with the front surface of the first and second fixed glass window portions. A glide member is longitudinally movable along the lower track member to facilitate movement of the glass window panel between its opened and closed positions. The fixed portion is adhesively bonded to the bodywork at a frameless periphery of the fixed portion that faces the interior of the vehicle. | 04-11-2013 |
20130083388 | EXTERIOR MIRROR WITH INTEGRAL SPOTTER MIRROR AND METHOD OF MAKING SAME - A method of forming a mirror reflective element assembly includes providing front and rear substrates and establishing a curved recess at a second surface of the front substrate and establishing a mirror reflector coating at the curved recess. An uncured seal is dispensed on a dispensing surface and has a first gap between terminal ends of said seal. The uncured seal is dispensed substantially around a principal reflecting region and a spotter region and defines a second gap between spaced apart portions of the uncured seal at an outboard region of the spotter region. A portion of the uncured seal is dispensed across the spotter region. The first gap provides a fill port for said mirror reflective element assembly when the front and rear substrates are mated together, and the second gap provides a vent port for the spotter cavity when the front and rear substrates are mated together. | 04-04-2013 |
20130077328 | CHARGE PORT ILLUMINATION SYSTEM FOR ELECTRIC VEHICLE - A charge port illumination system for an electric vehicle includes a charge port at an electric vehicle for electrically connecting to a charging source to charge a power source of the electric vehicle. A self-contained sealed module is disposed at or proximate to the charge port and includes at least one illumination source. The illumination source, responsive to an activating event associated with an electric charging event of the electric vehicle, is activated to provide illumination at the charge port. The activating event may include detection of touch at or movement of a cover panel and/or a signal from a remote transmitting device or a passive entry device or a motion detection device. The illumination source may be automatically deactivated after at least one of a period of time after activation, plugging in a charging source at the charge port and closing a cover panel at the charge port. | 03-28-2013 |
20130049986 | EXTERIOR MIRROR REFLECTIVE ELEMENT SUB-ASSEMBLY WITH SIGNAL INDICATOR - A mirror reflective element sub-assembly includes a mirror reflective element, a mirror back plate and a blind spot indicator. The mirror back plate has a generally planar portion and an indicator mounting portion. The indicator mounting portion of the mirror back plate is angled relative to the generally planar portion, and an aperture is established through the mirror back plate generally at the indicator mounting portion. A heater pad is disposed at the rear of the mirror reflective element, and a light transmitting portion of the heater pad is generally aligned with the aperture of the mirror back plate. With the light source of the blind spot indicator activated, light emitted by the light source transmits through an indicia element, the aperture and the light transmitting portion and exits the mirror reflective element at an angle relative to the generally planar portion of the mirror back plate. | 02-28-2013 |
20130038093 | VEHICLE WINDOW WITH SHADE - A window assembly for a vehicle includes outer and inner window panels and a spacer element disposed there-between to establish an interpane cavity between the inner and outer window panels. At least one of (a) the outer window panel has a larger cross dimension relative to the inner window panel to provide overhang regions, and (b) the inner window panel has a different contour or curvature than that of the outer window panel so that the interpane cavity varies in gap distance across the window assembly. A roller shade is disposed in the cavity and is electrically deployable to coil and uncoil between a coiled light transmitting condition, where the roller shade functions to substantially allow light transmission through the window assembly, and an at least partially uncoiled light attenuating condition, where the roller shade functions to at least partially attenuate light transmission through the window assembly. | 02-14-2013 |
20130026898 | COVER ASSEMBLY FOR AN APPLIANCE - A cover assembly for an appliance includes a glass panel, at least one attachment element and a perimeter frame. The glass panel has a perimeter edge extending between an inner surface and an outer surface and along a periphery of the glass panel. The attachment element is configured for engaging a corresponding structure of the appliance when the cover assembly is disposed at the appliance. The perimeter frame encompasses at least the perimeter edge of the glass panel, with no portion of the outer surface of the glass panel encompassed by the perimeter frame such that the outer surface of the glass panel is generally co-planar with an outer surface of the perimeter frame along the periphery of the glass panel. At least one of (i) the attachment element is bonded at the inner surface of the glass panel and (ii) the perimeter frame comprises the attachment element. | 01-31-2013 |
20130002876 | EXTERIOR MIRROR VISION SYSTEM FOR A VEHICLE - An exterior mirror vision system for a vehicle includes driver-side and passenger-side exterior rearview mirror assemblies including respective driver-side and passenger-side light modules and driver-side and passenger-side cameras. The light modules are sealed so as to be substantially water-impervious, and the light modules provide at least one of (a) a driver-side floodlight and a passenger-side floodlight and (b) a driver-side indicator and a passenger-side indicator. The driver-side camera and the passenger-side camera are part of a multi-camera vision system of the vehicle, and the multi-camera vision system has a display device that is operable to display images for viewing by a driver of the vehicle. The displayed images displayed by the display device include an image portion derived from image data captured by at least one of the driver-side camera and the passenger-side camera. | 01-03-2013 |
20120320618 | LIGHTED EXTERIOR MIRROR ASSEMBLY FOR VEHICLE - A lighted exterior mirror assembly includes a housing that houses a reflectance element that is movably positionable by the driver of a vehicle to adjust its rearward field of view when the lighted exterior rearview mirror assembly is attached at a side of the vehicle. A ground illumination lamp is disposed at a portion of the lighted exterior mirror assembly and separate from the reflectance element. The ground illumination lamp is a substantially moisture-impervious unit having an enclosure and a lens that is permanently joined with the enclosure. The ground illumination lamp includes a light source disposed within the enclosure behind the lens and, when the lighted exterior mirror assembly is attached at the side of the vehicle and when the light source is electrically powered, the light source emits light that passes through the lens and illuminates a ground area adjacent the side of the vehicle. | 12-20-2012 |
20120287495 | MIRROR REFLECTIVE ELEMENT - A variable reflectance vehicular electro-optic rearview mirror reflective element assembly includes a front substrate and a rear substrate and a perimeter seal disposed therebetween. The front substrate has a first surface and a second surface that has a transparent electrically conductive coating disposed thereat. The rear substrate has a third surface and a fourth surface, with the third surface having a conductive coating disposed thereat. The perimeter seal spaces the front and rear substrates apart and forms an interpane cavity therebetween. The third surface conductive coating includes a plurality of layers, which includes a first layer of nickel chromium. The first layer of nickel chromium is overcoated with a silver or silver alloy layer, and the silver or silver alloy layer is overcoated with a second layer of nickel chromium, and the second layer of nickel chromium is overcoated with a reflective layer. | 11-15-2012 |
20120257404 | VEHICLE EXTERIOR MIRROR SYSTEM - A lighted exterior mirror system for a vehicle includes an exterior mirror assembly and a signal light disposed in the exterior mirror assembly. The signal light includes at least one light emitting diode. The signal light is configured to emit a light pattern and the light pattern is defined at least between a forward leading edge and a rearward leading edge. The forward leading edge of the light pattern forms a forward angle that is in the range of about zero degrees to about 45 degrees relative to the side of a vehicle equipped with the lighted exterior mirror system, and the rearward leading edge of the light pattern forms a rearward angle that is in the range of about zero degrees to about 15 degrees relative to the side of the equipped vehicle. | 10-11-2012 |
20120236388 | FRAMELESS INTERIOR REARVIEW MIRROR ASSEMBLY - An interior rearview mirror assembly includes a housing and a mirror reflective element having a glass substrate. The housing includes an element that protrudes beyond a rear surface of the glass substrate and towards the front surface of the glass substrate when the reflective element is at least partially received at the housing. The glass substrate includes a slanted rear perimeter edge-portion along a perimeter circumference of the rear surface of the glass substrate to at least partially accommodate the element of the housing when the reflective element is at least partially received at the housing. The glass substrate includes a beveled front perimeter along a perimeter circumference of the front surface of the glass substrate. The beveled front perimeter of the glass substrate is exposed and viewable by the driver of the vehicle. | 09-20-2012 |
20120236136 | INTERIOR REARVIEW MIRROR WITH ALCOHOL DETECTION - An alcohol sensing system for a vehicle includes an alcohol sensing device disposed at or near an interior rearview mirror assembly of the vehicle. The alcohol sensing device is operable to detect a level of alcohol in the breath of a driver of the vehicle. An alert element is operable to provide an alert when the detected alcohol level is above a threshold level. The alcohol sensing device may be incorporated in the interior rearview mirror assembly. The alert element may include a display element operable to display visible information at the interior rearview mirror assembly that is viewable by the driver of the vehicle and that is indicative of the detected alcohol level. The display element may be operable to display different ranges of alcohol levels and to indicate in which range the detected alcohol level falls. | 09-20-2012 |
20120182141 | INTERIOR REARVIEW MIRROR SYSTEM - An interior rearview mirror system of a vehicle includes an interior rearview mirror assembly having an electro-optic reflective element. The reflective element includes (i) an electro-optic active region where an electro-optic medium is disposed and is bounded by a perimeter seal and (ii) a user input region outboard of the electro-optic active region. At least one backlit user input, such as a capacitive touch sensor, is disposed at the reflective element at the user input region and outboard of the perimeter seal and the electro-optic medium. A control is operable to determine a location of a touch or proximity of a finger of a user that is at or near the first surface of the front substrate at the user input region, and the control generates an output signal indicative of a determined touch or proximity of a finger of a user. | 07-19-2012 |
20120162427 | VISION DISPLAY SYSTEM FOR VEHICLE - A vision display system for a vehicle includes a plurality of cameras having exterior fields of view, a first display screen disposed in an interior rearview mirror assembly of the vehicle, and a second display screen disposed at or in a console or instrument panel of the vehicle. The cameras include a rearward viewing camera, a forward viewing camera, a driver side viewing camera and a passenger side viewing camera. The second display screen has a diagonal dimension that is greater than a diagonal dimension of the first display screen. The first display screen is operable to display images captured by the rearward viewing camera during a reversing maneuver of the vehicle and the second display screen displays a surround view image formed as a composite image derived from image data captured by the rearward, forward, driver side and passenger side viewing cameras during a reversing maneuver of the vehicle. | 06-28-2012 |
20120154591 | IMAGING AND DISPLAY SYSTEM FOR VEHICLE - A vehicular imaging and display system includes a rear backup camera at a rear portion of a vehicle, a video processor for processing image data captured by the rear camera, and a video display screen responsive to the video processor to display video images. During a reversing maneuver of the equipped vehicle, the video display screen displays video images captured by the rear camera. During forward travel of the equipped vehicle, the video display screen is operable to display images representative of a portion of the field of view of the rear camera to display images representative of an area sideward of the equipped vehicle responsive to at least one of (a) actuation of a turn signal indicator of the vehicle, (b) detection of a vehicle in a side lane adjacent to the equipped vehicle and (c) a lane departure warning system of the vehicle. | 06-21-2012 |
20120119892 | EXTERIOR MIRROR REFLECTIVE ELEMENT SUB-ASSEMBLY WITH SIGNAL INDICATOR - A mirror reflective element sub-assembly includes a mirror reflective element, a mirror back plate and a signal indicator. The mirror back plate includes (i) a generally planar portion and (ii) an indicator receiving portion. The indicator receiving portion has a wall structure extending at an angle from the generally planar portion adjacent to an aperture established through the mirror back plate. The signal indicator has a light source disposed at a circuit element and a housing substantially encases the circuit element therein. An electrical connector protrudes from the circuit element and is accessible at a connector portion of the housing for connecting to electrical wiring of the vehicle. The signal indicator includes an indicia element at a forward end thereof. When the light source is activated, light emitted by the light source emanates through the aperture and through the mirror reflective element and is transmitted through the indicia element. | 05-17-2012 |
20120081915 | VEHICLE EXTERIOR MIRROR SYSTEM WITH LIGHT MODULE - A lighted exterior rearview mirror system of a vehicle includes an exterior rearview mirror assembly and a light module disposed at the exterior rearview mirror assembly. The light module includes a plurality of illumination sources operable to emit light. The illumination sources are individually controlled responsive to said the input to provide a customized illumination beam emanating from the exterior rearview mirror assembly. The system may include a control that is responsive to the user input to selectively individually energize the light emitting diodes, and the control may individually adjust a duty cycle of each of the light emitting diodes responsive to the user input. The light module may include a ground illumination light source, a backup light source and a turn signal indicator. | 04-05-2012 |
20120069591 | EXTERIOR MIRROR VISION SYSTEM FOR A VEHICLE - An exterior mirror vision system includes a driver-side exterior rearview mirror assembly mounted at a driver side of a vehicle and a passenger-side exterior rearview mirror assembly mounted at a passenger side of the vehicle. The driver-side exterior mirror assembly includes a mounting portion configured for mounting at the driver side of the vehicle, a driver-side exterior mirror housing, and a driver-side reflective element. The driver-side exterior rearview mirror assembly includes a driver-side light module and a driver-side camera. The passenger-side exterior mirror assembly includes a mounting portion configured for mounting at the passenger side of the vehicle, a passenger-side exterior mirror housing, and a passenger-side reflective element. The passenger-side exterior rearview mirror assembly includes a passenger-side light module and a passenger-side camera. The driver-side camera and the passenger-side camera may be part of a multi-camera vision system of the vehicle. | 03-22-2012 |
20120038964 | MIRROR ASSEMBLY FOR VEHICLE - A vehicular rearview mirror assembly includes a mirror casing, a reflective element and a mounting assembly for adjustably mounting the mirror assembly at a portion of the equipped vehicle. The reflective element has a front surface and a rear surface and a perimeter edge about its periphery and extending between the front and rear surfaces. The front surface generally faces a driver of the vehicle when the mirror assembly is normally mounted in the equipped vehicle. The rear surface of the reflective element may be attached to an attachment surface of an attachment plate or of the mirror casing to secure the reflective element relative to the mirror casing. The perimeter edge of the reflective element may be exposed and viewable by the driver of the vehicle when the reflective element is attached to the attachment surface and when the mirror assembly is normally mounted in the equipped vehicle. | 02-16-2012 |
20120026616 | INTERIOR MIRROR ASSEMBLY WITH ADJUSTABLE MOUNTING ASSEMBLY - An interior rearview mirror assembly includes a mirror casing, a reflective element and a mounting assembly for adjustably mounting the mirror assembly at an interior portion of a vehicle. The mounting assembly has a mounting base and a mounting arm adjustably mounted to the mounting base via a base joint. The reflective element is pivotally adjustable relative to the mounting arm via a mirror pivot joint. The base joint allows for adjustment of the mounting arm in generally a single plane and about a generally horizontal pivot axis when the mirror assembly is normally mounted in the vehicle, with the base joint limiting adjustment of the mounting arm about non-generally horizontal pivot axes. The mirror pivot joint allows for pivotal adjustment of a rearward field of view of the reflective element by a driver of the vehicle when the mirror assembly is normally mounted in the vehicle. | 02-02-2012 |
20120026571 | ELECTRO-OPTIC REARVIEW MIRROR ASSEMBLY FOR VEHICLE - 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. | 02-02-2012 |
20120020101 | VEHICLE EXTERIOR MIRROR SYSTEM - A lighted exterior mirror system includes an exterior mirror assembly having a folding portion and a non-folding portion. A ground illumination light of the exterior mirror assembly is configured to illuminate with white light a ground area adjacent the equipped side of the vehicle at least at a front door region at the side of the vehicle where occupants may enter/exit exit the vehicle. The ground illumination light includes at least one light emitting diode, which is connected in series with a resistor that acts as a voltage divider to reduce an ignition voltage of the equipped vehicle to a reduced voltage, with the resistor having a resistance of less than about 1,500 ohms. The ground illumination light provides ground illumination of at least about one lux illumination intensity at least on the ground area adjacent the front door region at the equipped side of the vehicle. | 01-26-2012 |
20120008332 | LIGHTED EXTERIOR MIRROR ASSEMBLY FOR VEHICLE - A lighted exterior mirror assembly includes a housing that houses a reflectance element, and includes a turn signal indicator disposed at a portion of the housing. The turn signal indicator is fixedly disposed at the housing separate from the reflectance element whereby movement of the reflectance element is independent of the turn signal indicator. The turn signal indicator comprises a plurality of light emitting diodes arranged in a plane that is generally horizontal when the lighted exterior mirror assembly is attached to the side of the vehicle. The plurality of light emitting diodes may be disposed behind a light-transmitting cover and, when the lighted exterior mirror assembly is attached to the side of the vehicle and when the plurality of light emitting diodes is powered, the plurality of light emitting diodes emits light that is viewable at least rearward of the vehicle. | 01-12-2012 |
20110299294 | LIGHTED EXTERIOR REARVIEW MIRROR SYSTEM - A lighted exterior rearview mirror system includes an exterior rearview mirror assembly including a reflective element and an electrically-operable actuator. The exterior rearview mirror assembly includes a breakaway joint assembly. The reflective element has an electrically powered heater operable to remove ice or dew from the reflective element. The exterior rearview mirror assembly includes a turn signal indicator lamp that has a light source and a lens. The lamp is included in the exterior rearview mirror assembly and unaffected by operation of the actuator. The breakaway joint assembly includes a wire-way through which a wire cable passes. The wire cable includes wires for operating the actuator, the heater and the lamp. The light source includes at least one light emitting diode. | 12-08-2011 |
20110299185 | MIRROR MOUNTING ASSEMBLY WITH ADAPTER - An interior mounting system for a vehicle includes an interior assembly, a mounting assembly for mounting the interior assembly at a vehicle windshield, a first windshield mounting element adhered to an in-cabin surface of the vehicle windshield, and a second windshield mounting element attached at the in-cabin surface of the vehicle windshield and at or at least partially around the first mounting element. A mounting base of the mounting assembly is configured to engage at least the second mounting element when the mounting base is mounted at the first and second mounting elements at the in-cabin surface of the vehicle windshield. The first and second mounting elements cooperate to support the mounting base and the interior assembly when the first and second mounting elements are adhered to the in-cabin surface of the vehicle windshield and when the mounting base is mounted at the first and second mounting elements. | 12-08-2011 |
20110299170 | ELECTRO-OPTIC REARVIEW MIRROR ELEMENT WITH FILL PORT FILTER AND METHOD OF MANUFACTURING ELECTRO-OPTIC REARVIEW MIRROR ELEMENT - A variable reflectance rearview mirror reflective element assembly includes a front substrate having a first surface and a second surface, and a rear substrate having a third surface and a fourth surface, with the third surface having a conductive coating disposed thereat. A perimeter seal is disposed between and spaces apart the front and rear substrates and forms an interpane cavity therebetween. The perimeter seal has a gap between terminal ends thereof to provide a fill port for the mirror reflective element assembly when the front and rear substrates are mated together. A filter element is disposed at the fill port at least during a cavity filling process, and the filter element allows an electro-optic medium to flow therethrough during the cavity filling process and limits passage of debris, contaminants and/or particles to limit intrusion of debris, contaminants and/or particles into the interpane cavity during the cavity filling process. | 12-08-2011 |
20110286096 | AUTOMOTIVE EXTERIOR MIRROR HEATER CONTROL - An exterior rearview mirror system suitable for use on a vehicle includes an exterior rearview mirror assembly, a mirror heating element and a control. The mirror assembly includes a mirror head portion mountable to a side of a vehicle and a reflective element supported at the mirror head portion. The mirror heating element is disposed at a rear side of the reflective element and operable to heat the reflective element. The control is operable to power the mirror heating element to heat the reflective element. The control controls heating of the mirror heating element responsive at least in part to a signal indicative of air flow at or around the exterior rearview mirror assembly and the reflective element of the equipped vehicle. | 11-24-2011 |
20110273659 | LIQUID CRYSTAL MIRROR WITH DISPLAY - A variable reflectance vehicular mirror reflective element assembly includes a front substrate, an intermediate substrate and a rear substrate, with a first liquid crystal polarization unit disposed between the rear surface of the front substrate and the front surface of the intermediate substrate and a second liquid crystal polarization unit disposed between the rear surface of the intermediate substrate and the front surface of the rear substrate. When the liquid crystal polarization units are unpowered, the reflective element assembly substantially specularly reflects light incident thereon so as to appear specularly mirror-like to a driver of the vehicle viewing the front surface of the front substrate. When the liquid crystal polarization units are electrically powered, they change from being highly specularly reflective to substantially transmitting visible light therethrough. When powered, the liquid crystal polarization units cooperate or combine to provide an anti-glare, low reflecting mirror for viewing by the vehicle driver. | 11-10-2011 |
20110265383 | VEHICULAR REAR SLIDING WINDOW ASSEMBLY - A rear sliding window assembly suitable for use in a vehicle includes a fixed portion and a sliding portion and upper and lower track members disposed at a surface of first and second fixed glass portions. The sliding portion comprises a glass window panel and is laterally movable between the upper and lower track members relative to the fixed portion. The glass window panel is movable between an opened position and a closed position, and the glass window panel is disposed at the gap that is between the first and second fixed glass window portions when at its closed position. A glide member is longitudinally movable along the lower track member to facilitate movement of the glass window panel between its opened and closed positions. A sealing member is disposed between the fixed portion and the sliding portion at least when the glass window panel is at its closed position. | 11-03-2011 |
20110221588 | EXTERIOR MIRROR WITH INDICATOR - A minor reflective element sub-assembly suitable for use for an exterior rearview mirror assembly of a vehicle includes a mirror reflective element and a mirror back plate having a generally planar portion and an indicator receiving portion established via a plastic injection molding operation. The indicator receiving portion includes a wall structure extending at an angle from the generally planar portion adjacent to an aperture established through the mirror back plate. A signal indication module has a light source and a housing that is at least partially received at the wall structure of the indicator receiving portion of the mirror back plate. When the light source is activated, light emitted by the light source emanates through the aperture of the mirror back plate and through the mirror reflective element at an angle relative to the generally planar portion of the mirror back plate. | 09-15-2011 |
20110194203 | EXTERIOR MIRROR ASSEMBLY WITH ACTUATOR - An exterior rearview mirror assembly for a vehicle includes a mounting portion mounted to a side of a vehicle, a mirror head portion, a reflective element fixedly attached at the mirror head portion, and an actuator operable to impart pivotal movement of the mirror head portion relative to the mounting portion and about a generally horizontal pivot axis and a generally vertical pivot axis to adjust the mirror head portion and the reflective element relative to the side of the vehicle to which the mounting portion is mounted. The actuator may include a tilting drive system for tilting the mirror head portion about the generally horizontal pivot axis and the actuator may include a rotating drive system for rotating the mirror head portion about the generally vertical pivot axis. | 08-11-2011 |
20110193961 | IMAGING AND DISPLAY SYSTEM FOR VEHICLE - A vision system for a vehicle includes a camera subsystem and a display subsystem. The camera subsystem includes an imaging sensor disposed at an equipped vehicle that captures image data, and the camera subsystem wirelessly transmits the image data. The display subsystem includes a video display screen disposed in the equipped vehicle for displaying images for viewing by a driver of the equipped vehicle when the driver is normally operating the equipped vehicle. The display subsystem is operable to receive the transmitted image data from the camera subsystem. The display subsystem transmits an error signal responsive to processing of the image data and the camera subsystem receives the error signal and at least one of (a) adjusts a compression factor of the image data responsive to the error signal and (b) adjusts a transmission rate of the image data responsive to the error signal. | 08-11-2011 |
20110188122 | ELECTRO-OPTIC REARVIEW MIRROR ASSEMBLY FOR VEHICLE - An exterior mirror reflective element for a vehicular exterior rearview mirror assembly includes a front glass substrate having a transparent conductive coating established at a second surface thereof and a rear glass substrate having a metallic reflector coating established at a third surface thereof, with an electro-optic medium disposed between the second surface of the front glass substrate and the third surface of the rear glass substrate. An electrically conductive clip is disposed along and bridges a perimeter edge of the rear glass substrate to establish electrically conductive connection to the metallic reflector coating at the third surface of the rear glass substrate. A solder joint is established at the electrically conductive clip, and the solder is decoupled from the metallic reflector coating at the third surface of the rear glass substrate. | 08-04-2011 |
20110148575 | EXTENDABLE FLUSH DOOR HANDLE FOR VEHICLE - An extendable flush door handle assembly for a door or liftgate of a vehicle includes a base portion and a handle portion movably attached to the base portion. The handle portion is movable between a recessed position, where the handle portion is at least partially received in the base portion, and a partially extended position, where the handle portion extends partially outward from the base portion and is graspable by a user. The handle portion is moved from the recessed position to the partially extended position responsive to a trigger, such as a signal from a key fob or a passive entry system or a vehicle door unlock button or the like. The handle portion, when in its recessed position, is at least partially received in the base portion so as to be not readily graspable by a user until the handle portion is moved toward its partially extended position. | 06-23-2011 |
20110101838 | GLASS APPLIANCE COVER WITH BONDED HARDWARE - A cover assembly for an appliance includes a glass panel and at least one metallic attachment element bonded to an inner surface of the glass panel via a layer of cured adhesive. The at least one metallic element is configured for mounting to at least one corresponding structure of the appliance to mount the cover assembly at the appliance. The layer of cured adhesive bonds the at least one metallic element to the inner surface of the glass panel without exposure of the bonded element on an outer surface of the glass panel. A perimeter frame portion may be established around a perimeter region of the glass panel. | 05-05-2011 |
20110096427 | MOUNTING ASSEMBLY FOR VEHICLE INTERIOR MIRROR - An interior rearview mirror assembly includes a mirror head and a mounting assembly for adjustably mounting the mirror head at an interior portion of a vehicle. The mounting assembly includes a mounting structure that is attachable to an interior portion of the vehicle and includes a mirror mounting element pivotally attached at an end of the mounting structure to establish a mirror ball pivot joint. The attaching portion of the mirror mounting element is configured to attach to a receiving portion of the mirror head via a snap connection and/or a twist connection. The attaching portion of the mirror mounting element, when the mirror mounting element is attached at the end of the mounting structure, is attachable to the receiving portion of the mirror head from a position rearward of the mirror casing and from exterior the mirror casing to attach the mirror head at the mounting structure. | 04-28-2011 |
20110074958 | EXTERIOR MIRROR VISION SYSTEM FOR A VEHICLE - An exterior mirror vision system includes a driver-side exterior rearview mirror assembly mounted at a driver side of an equipped vehicle and a passenger-side exterior rearview mirror assembly mounted at a passenger side of the equipped vehicle. The driver-side exterior mirror assembly including a mounting portion configured for mounting at the driver side of the equipped vehicle, a driver-side exterior minor housing, and a driver-side reflective element. The driver-side exterior rearview mirror assembly includes a driver-side light module and a driver-side camera. The passenger-side exterior mirror assembly includes a mounting portion configured for mounting at the passenger side of the equipped vehicle, a passenger-side exterior mirror housing, and a passenger-side reflective element. The passenger-side exterior rearview mirror assembly includes a passenger-side light module and a passenger-side camera. The driver-side camera and the passenger-side camera are part of a multi-camera vision system of the equipped vehicle. | 03-31-2011 |
20110056140 | VEHICULAR REAR SLIDING WINDOW ASSEMBLY - A rear sliding window assembly suitable for use in a vehicle includes upper and lower track members and at least one fixed glass window panel. The track members are disposed at a surface of the fixed glass window panels and no portion of the track members is in contact with the opposite surface of the fixed glass window panels. A movable glass window panel is slidably disposed at the track members and movable at least partially along the track members relative to the fixed glass window panel or panels. The movable glass window panel is movable between opened and closed positions. A perimeter edge of the movable glass window panel may be received by a glide member, and the glide member may be disposed in the upper or lower track member to facilitate sliding of the movable glass window panel at least partially along the upper or lower track member. | 03-10-2011 |
20110030277 | WINDOW ASSEMBLY FOR VEHICLE - A window assembly for a vehicle includes a frame configured to mount to a transit vehicle, a fixed window panel affixed to a portion of the frame, and a movable window assembly having a movable window panel circumscribed by a movable frame. The movable frame has opposite end members and a pair of opposite slide rail members. The slide rail members are slidably received in respective channels along opposite portions of the frame. Each of the slide rail members includes a co-extruded slide rail having a semi-rigid or rigid rail portion, a flexible window seal co-extruded with the rail portion for sealing against the movable window panel, and a flexible sliding seal co-extruded with the rail portion for slidably engaging the opposite portions of the frame when the movable window assembly is assembled to the frame and is moved between its opened and closed positions. | 02-10-2011 |
20110030276 | HEATED REAR SLIDER WINDOW ASSEMBLY - A rear slider window assembly includes a frame portion, at least one fixed window panel and at least one movable window panel that is movable along the frame portion. The movable window panel is movable between a closed position and an opened position and has a first electrical element (such as a heater element) established thereat. The first electrical element is electrically connected to a power source of the vehicle irrespective of whether the movable window panel is in the opened or closed position. The first electrical element may be electrically connected to the power source of the vehicle via a flexible connector that is connected at one end to the first electrical element and at another end to an electrical connector at the fixed window panel, such as at an electrical element of the fixed window panel. | 02-10-2011 |
20110026093 | INTERIOR ELECTROCHROMIC MIRROR ASSEMBLY - An interior rearview mirror assembly of a vehicle includes front and rear substrates with a perimeter seal that spaces said front substrate from said rear substrate and establishes an interpane cavity therebetween for an electrochromic medium. The front substrate has a front connecting portion that extends outboard from the perimeter seal and the rear substrate has a rear connecting portion that extends outboard from the perimeter seal. The front and rear connecting portions may be established partially along the same perimeter region of the reflective element or along adjacent perimeter regions of the reflective element. Electrical connection to the transparent electrically conductive coating at the second surface of the front substrate is established at the front connecting portion of the front substrate and electrical connection to the electrically conductive coating of the third surface of the rear substrate is established at the rear connecting portion of the rear substrate. | 02-03-2011 |
20110013410 | LIGHTED EXTERIOR MIRROR ASSEMBLY FOR VEHICLE - A lighted exterior mirror assembly configured for attachment to a side of a vehicle includes a reflectance element that is movably positionable by the driver of the vehicle to adjust its rearward field of view when the lighted exterior rearview mirror assembly is attached to the side of the vehicle, and a unitary light module having at least one light source. When the mirror assembly is attached to the side of the vehicle and when the light source is electrically powered, light emitted by the light source illuminates a ground area adjacent the vehicle of at least approximately 2 feet by 4 feet. When the mirror assembly is attached to the side of the vehicle and when the light source is electrically powered, light emitted by the light source provides a ground surface illumination intensity at the illuminated ground area of at least approximately 5 lux. | 01-20-2011 |
20100302797 | VEHICLE EXTERIOR MIRROR SYSTEM - A lighted exterior mirror system includes an exterior mirror assembly having a folding portion and a non-folding portion. The non-folding portion is configured to mount to a side of a vehicle and the folding portion includes a reflective element. The folding portion is movable relative to the non-folding portion and between a normal operating position and a folded position. A ground illumination light is configured to project a pattern of light from the exterior mirror assembly to provide a lighted zone on a ground area adjacent the side of the vehicle at least at a front door region at the side of the vehicle where occupants may enter/exit the vehicle. The pattern of light projected by the ground illumination light provides ground illumination of at least about one lux illumination intensity at least on the ground area adjacent the front door region at the side of the vehicle. | 12-02-2010 |
20100302792 | LIGHTED EXTERIOR REARVIEW MIRROR SYSTEM - A lighted exterior rearview mirror system includes an exterior rearview mirror assembly including a reflective element and an electrically-operable actuator. The exterior rearview mirror assembly includes a breakaway joint assembly. The reflective element has an electrically powered heater operable to remove ice or dew from the reflective element. The exterior rearview mirror assembly includes a turn signal indicator lamp that has a light source and a lens. The lamp is included in the exterior rearview mirror assembly and unaffected by operation of the actuator. The breakaway joint assembly includes a wire-way through which a wire cable passes. The wire cable includes wires for operating the actuator, the heater and the lamp. The lens of the lamp has a portion that faces rearward of the vehicle and a portion that wraps around an outward side of a casing of the exterior rearview mirror assembly. | 12-02-2010 |
20100252418 | HOT TILE SPUTTERING SYSTEM - A system and method for sputtering a coating onto a glass substrate in a vacuum deposition chamber includes providing a backing plate with a separating element disposed at the backing plate. At least one target element or tile is disposed on a surface of the separating element, wherein an expansion gap is provided to allow for expansion of the target relative to the separating element during the sputtering process. The method includes sputtering material from the target and heating the target to a substantially elevated temperature during the sputtering process. The separating element may be a sheet having a low-coefficient of friction surface, and the target may be disposed on the low-coefficient of friction surface of the separating element. The separating element may thermally insulate the target from the backing plate, whereby the target may be heated to a substantially greater temperature than the backing plate during the sputtering process. | 10-07-2010 |
20100195225 | COORDINATED PIVOTING AND EXTENDING VEHICLE MIRROR - An exterior vehicle mirror system has a vehicle mountable support and a support arm. A mirror housing is movable along the support arm between the support and a distal end. An electrically powered mirror unit adjust mechanism can adjust the mirror unit about horizontal and vertical axes. An electrically powered pivoting and extending mechanism pivots the support arm about the support between an extended position and a position folded against a vehicle side. An electronic control system controls movement of the mirror housing along the support arm, and folding of the support arm, independent of an adjustment of the mirror unit. The electronic control system comprises a memorized position for the powered pivoting and extending mechanism, or alternatively, a microprocessor for controlling at least one of movement of the mirror housing along the support arm, folding of the support arm, and adjustment of the mirror unit. | 08-05-2010 |
20100107497 | FULL VIEW STORM DOOR - A door assembly for use in a building includes a glass door panel having an outer surface and an inner surface and a perimeter region. The door assembly includes at least one metallic hardware element bonded via a layer of cured adhesive to the inner surface of the door panel and at least partially along the perimeter region of the door panel. The layer of cured adhesive bonds the at least one metallic hardware element to the inner surface of the door panel without exposure of the metallic hardware element on the outer surface of the door panel. The door assembly may include a perimeter frame portion bonded to the inner surface of the door panel via another layer of cured adhesive. At least a portion of a door handle assembly may protrude through an aperture formed in the glass door panel. | 05-06-2010 |
20100097469 | INTERIOR MIRROR ASSEMBLY WITH DISPLAY - An interior rearview mirror system and assembly includes a variable reflectivity reflective element and a video display screen disposed behind the reflective element and operable to display images viewable through the reflective element by a person viewing the interior rearview mirror assembly when it is normally mounted in a vehicle. The video display screen may be operable to brighten or enhance the intensity of images displayed by the video display screen responsive to a dimming condition of the variable reflectivity reflective element. The mirror system may include an image sensor and a decoder that decodes an output signal of the image sensor. The decoder has a microprocessor operable to control the video display screen, such that the captured image data are processed and images are displayed via operation of a common microprocessor. A compass chip may connect to a vehicle wire harness that extends from a vehicle headliner. | 04-22-2010 |
20100091394 | INTERIOR REARVIEW MIRROR ASSEMBLY WITH BUTTON MODULE - An interior rearview mirror assembly for a vehicle includes a reflective element, a bezel portion positioned around the perimeter of the reflective element, and a user input module disposed at the bezel portion. The bezel portion has a recess established at its surface that faces generally toward a driver of a vehicle when the mirror assembly is normally mounted in the vehicle. The user input module is attached to the bezel portion at the recess and is at least partially received in the recess. The user input module includes at least one user input that is actuatable by a user to engage and actuate electronic circuitry of the user input module. | 04-15-2010 |
20100088855 | VEHICLE DOOR HANDLE ASSEMBLY - A door handle assembly for a vehicle includes a bracket mountable to the vehicle door, a handle portion configured to pivotally attach to the bracket and an actuating element pivotally mounted to the bracket. The actuating element connects to a release mechanism of the vehicle door so as to actuate the release mechanism when the actuating element is pivoted relative to the bracket. The door handle assembly may include a counterweight pivotally mounted to the bracket, with the counterweight extending along the bracket, such that the counterweight and the bracket comprise a low profile assembly. The door handle assembly may include an inertial catch pivotally mounted to the bracket, wherein pivotal movement of the handle portion imparts a pivotal movement of the inertial catch during normal operation of the door handle assembly to open the vehicle door. | 04-15-2010 |
20100085653 | MIRROR ASSEMBLY FOR VEHICLE - An interior rearview mirror assembly suitable for use in a vehicle includes a mirror casing, a prismatic reflective element at said mirror casing, a toggle device at said mirror casing, and a circuit element. The toggle device includes a user actuatable element and is operable in response to the user actuatable element to pivot the prismatic reflective element between a day state orientation and a night state orientation. The circuit element has electronic circuitry disposed on a substrate, and has an electrical connector extending from the substrate. The electrical connector extends through a portion of the toggle device and is accessible through the generally central region of the rear wall of the mirror casing. | 04-08-2010 |
20100080011 | LIGHTED EXTERIOR MIRROR SYSTEM FOR A VEHICLE - A lighted exterior mirror system for a vehicle includes an exterior mirror assembly having a first portion adapted for mounting to a vehicle, a second portion, and a reflective element. An actuator is operable to adjust the rearward field of view of the reflective element. A turn signal indicator assembly is provided that includes a single light emitting source. Light emitted by the single light emitting source is visible at least to a driver of another overtaking vehicle when actuated by an operator of the vehicle, and preferably not visible to at least one of (a) a driver of another vehicle approaching from a direction opposite to that of the direction of travel of the vehicle to which the exterior mirror assembly is mounted and (b) the operator of the vehicle to which the exterior mirror assembly is mounted. | 04-01-2010 |
20100079881 | VEHICLE MIRROR ASSEMBLY WITH WIDE ANGLE ELEMENT - 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. | 04-01-2010 |
20100007463 | VEHICLE HANDLE WITH CONTROL CIRCUITRY - A handle/liftgate assembly for a door of a vehicle is mounted to a handle region of a vehicle door and includes a handle control and a handle sensor. The handle control is responsive to the handle sensor to detect the presence of or proximity of a user or operator at the vehicle door. The handle control actuates a door latch of the vehicle door to open the vehicle door independent of a door zone module or passive entry system of the vehicle door. | 01-14-2010 |
20090303564 | ELECTRO-OPTIC MIRROR - A reflective element assembly for an interior rearview mirror of a vehicle includes front and rear substrates with a perimeter seal that spaces said front substrate from said rear substrate and establishes an interpane cavity therebetween for an electro-optic medium. The front substrate has a first connecting tab that extends outboard from a perimeter edge of the rear substrate and the rear substrate has a second connecting tab that extends outboard from a perimeter edge of the front substrate. The first and second connecting tabs may extend partially along the same perimeter edge region of the reflective element assembly or along adjacent perimeter edge regions of the reflective element assembly. The first and second connecting tab facilitate electrical connection to the transparent conductive coating of the second surface of the front substrate and the conductive coating of the third surface of the rear substrate, respectively. | 12-10-2009 |
20090243824 | INTERIOR REARVIEW MIRROR SYSTEM - A mirror system of a vehicle includes an interior rearview mirror assembly having a reflective element and an information input display providing a display representative of a plurality of input characters. The information input display is disposed behind the reflective element and viewable through the reflective element and a transflective mirror reflector of the reflective element when the information input display is backlit by a backlighting device. A control is operable to determine a location of a touch or proximity of an object at the reflective element and correlate the determined location to an input character of the information input display. The mirror system may include a video display for displaying video images and the information input display may be disposed at a main viewing region of the reflective element so as to provide an information input display that is larger than the video display. | 10-01-2009 |
20090213479 | COORDINATED PIVOTING AND EXTENDING VEHICLE MIRROR - An exterior vehicle mirror system has a vehicle mountable support and a support arm. A mirror housing is movable along the support arm between the support and a distal end. An electrically powered mirror unit adjust mechanism can adjust the mirror unit about horizontal and vertical axes. An electrically powered pivoting and extending mechanism pivots the support arm about the support between an extended position and a position folded against a vehicle side. An electronic control system controls movement of the mirror housing along the support arm, and folding of the support arm, independent of an adjustment of the mirror unit. The electronic control system comprises a memorized position for the powered pivoting and extending mechanism. | 08-27-2009 |
20090185301 | COORDINATED PIVOTING AND EXTENDING VEHICLE MIRROR - An exterior vehicle mirror system has a support mounted to the side of the vehicle; a support arm extending from said support to a distal end; a mirror housing movable along said support arm from a first position proximate said fixed support to a second position proximate said distal end, and enclosing a mirror unit and an electrically powered mirror unit adjust mechanism for adjusting said mirror unit about horizontal and vertical axes; an electrically powered pivoting and extending mechanism for pivoting said support arm about said support between an extended position and a folded position, and for moving said mirror housing along said support arm from said first position to said second position; and an electronic control system operable by a driver of the vehicle to control the operation of said powered pivoting and extending mechanism independent of the operation of said powered mirror unit adjust mechanism. | 07-23-2009 |
20090115631 | EXTERIOR MIRROR WITH INDICATOR - A mirror reflective element sub-assembly suitable for use for an exterior rearview mirror assembly of a vehicle includes a mirror reflective element, a mirror back plate having an indicator receiving portion established thereat, and a signal indication module having a light source. The signal indication module attaches to the indicator receiving portion of the mirror back plate and the light source is activatable to emit light through the indicator receiving portion. The light source is established at a circuit element and the signal indication module includes a housing that substantially encases the circuit element therein. The circuit element has electrical terminals extending therefrom and protruding at least partially at a connector portion of the housing so as to be electrically connectable to a power source of the vehicle. The connector portion of the housing is configured to provide a plug-socket connection between the power source and the signal indication module. | 05-07-2009 |