IP Library › Granted Patent US 11,890,989
Granted Patent B2
US 11,890,989 · App. 17/939,264 · Granted Feb 6, 2024

External rearview device, external rearview device kit and vehicle

Inventors: Andrew Lettis (Portchester, GB); Graham Rehill (Portchester, GB); Callum Scott-Collins (Portchester, GB); Andreas Herrmann (Stuttgart, DE); Arne Schmierer (Stuttgart, DE); Simon David Field (Lonsdale, AU); Jakub Spychala (Portchester, GB); Kane Connor (Portchester, GB); Francis Charlet (Dammarie les Lys, FR); Steve Horne (Portchester, GB)
Assignee: SMR Patents S.à.r.l.
B60R1/12B60R1/06H04N23/90B60R2001/1253
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 11,890,989
App. No.
17/939,264
Granted
Feb 6, 2024
Kind
B2
Abstract

An assembly set for assembling an external rearview system for a motor vehicle is provided. The external rearview system when assembled may include a base assembly provided for arrangement on the motor vehicle, and a head assembly attached to the base assembly. The assembly set may include (i) a first head assembly comprising a first rearview device comprising at least one reflective element in form of a mirror glass, and (ii) a second head assembly with at least one component of a camera monitor system. The head assembly may be configured to be detachable and is selected to be the first or second head assembly, with the first and second head assembly being exchangeable with each other.

Claims (66)

1. An assembly set for assembling an external rearview system for a motor vehicle, the external rearview system when assembled including (i) a base assembly provided for arrangement on the motor vehicle, and (ii) a head assembly attached to the base assembly, the assembly set comprising:

a first head assembly comprising,

a first rearview device comprising at least one reflective element in form of a mirror glass, and

a second head assembly comprising at least one reflective element in form of an at least partly translucent mirror glass, a display unit integrated in the head assembly or provided together with the reflective element, and at least one camera unit, the camera unit configured to obtain a rearview image through the reflective element,

wherein the head assembly is configured to be detachable and is selected to be the first or second head assembly, with the first and second head assembly being exchangeable with each other, and

(iii) a control unit for controlling the at least one camera unit and the display unit, wherein at least one sensor unit is connected to the control unit, and wherein the display unit is configured to be viewable through the reflective element when activated depending on an output signal of the at least one sensor unit, via the control unit.

2. The assembly set of claim 1 , further comprising

at least one second camera unit configured to obtain an image through an opening provided by the base assembly of the head assembly.

3. The assembly set of claim 2 , further comprising

an articulation assembly for moving the head assembly relative to the base assembly.

4. The assembly set of claim 3 , further comprising

the control unit for controlling the articulation assembly.

5. The assembly set of claim 1 , wherein the display unit is configured to be

activated by at least one of a driver of the motor vehicle, depending on the output signal of the sensor unit, via a vehicle control system or via a control unit provided by the external rearview device.

6. The assembly set of claim 1 , wherein

the first and/or second head assembly is moveably attachable to the base assembly, and

the base assembly is fixed relative to the motor vehicle.

7. The assembly set of claim 1 , further comprising at least one functional module, comprising,

a light module, a turn signal indicator module, a blind spot indicator module, or a human machine interface,

a Bluetooth module and

a sensor module, a temperature sensor, a touch sensor or a contamination sensor.

8. The assembly set of claim 1 , further comprising at least one of

at least one first camera connector or camera cradle, which is positioned in a nonmoving area of the moveable head assembly and receives a first camera unit, or

at least one connector cradle, which is positioned in the base assembly and receives a second camera unit.

9. The assembly set of claim 1 , wherein

the first and second head assembly each comprises at least one cover element having the same structure.

10. The assembly set of claim 9 , wherein

the at least one head assembly cover element comprises an upper cover, a lower cover and a front cover.

11. The assembly set of claim 10 , wherein

at least one of the upper cover, the lower cover or the front cover fits the first and second head assembly or are identical for each head assembly.

12. The assembly set of claim 10 , wherein

the at least one head assembly cover element comprises a bezel.

13. The assembly set of claim 12 , wherein

the bezel of the second head assembly has an opening such that the first camera unit can obtain a rearview image through the reflective element.

14. The assembly set of claim 1 , wherein

the base assembly comprises a base frame and at least one cover element to releaseably mantle the base frame by being attached via clip, snap and/or latch connections.

15. The assembly set of claim 14 , wherein

the at least one base assembly cover element comprises an upper base cover, a lower base cover and a base cover cap.

16. The assembly set of claim 14 , wherein

each unit is partly extending through an opening in at least one of the base cover elements, or

at least one of a rim or a lens of each second camera unit is arranged in front of the at least one base cover elements.

17. The assembly set of claim 14 , wherein

the at least one base assembly cover element comprises at least one glare shield surrounding a lens of a second camera unit and providing an opening through which the second camera unit attached to the base assembly can obtain an image.

18. The assembly set of claim 17 , wherein

each glare shield is configured to be releaseably attached to at least one of the at least one base assembly cover element or a second camera connector or camera cradle via at least one of a clip, snap or latch connection.

19. The assembly set of claim 18 , wherein

the glare shield is provided with at least one clip.

20. The assembly set of claim 19 , wherein the at least one clip of the glare shield is configured to at least one of

engage the base cover cap or at least one extension or lug of the base cover cap or

be supported by the second camera cradle or at last one retention tab of the second camera cradle.

21. The assembly set of claim 20 , wherein,

in the view direction of a first second camera unit, the second camera cradle is arranged at least partly in front of the base frame, the base cover cap is arranged at least partly in front of the second camera cradle, and the glare shield is arranged at least partly in front of the base cover cap.

22. The assembly set of claim 15 , wherein,

a second unit obtains an image through an opening provided by the upper base cover, or

a third second camera unit obtains an image through an opening provided by the lower base cover.

23. Vehicle with at least one external rearview system, according to claim 1 .

24. An external rearview device for a motor vehicle, comprising:

a base assembly provided for arrangement on the motor vehicle, and

a head assembly attached to the base assembly, the head assembly comprising

a first head assembly comprising a first rearview device comprising at least one reflective element in form of a mirror glass, and

a second head assembly comprising

at least one reflective element in form of an at least partly translucent mirror glass,

a display unit integrated in the head assembly or provided together with the reflective element, and

at least one camera unit, the camera unit configured to obtain a rearview image through the reflective element

wherein the head assembly is configured to be detachable and is selected to be the first or second head assembly, with the first and second head assembly being exchangeable with each other, and

a control unit for controlling the at least one camera unit and the display unit, wherein at least one sensor unit is connected to the control unit, and wherein the display unit is configured to be viewable through the reflective element when activated depending on an output signal of the at least one sensor unit, via the control unit.

Assignments (1)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jan 4, 2024
From: LETTIS, ANDREW; REHILL, GRAHAM; SCOTT-COLLINS, CALLUM; HERRMANN, ANDREAS; SCHMIERER, ARNE; FIELD, SIMON DAVID; SPYCHALLA, JAKUB; CONNOR, KANE; CHARLET, FRANCIS; HORNE, STEVE
To: SMR PATENTS S.À.R.L.
Reel/Frame 066016/0035 →
Priority Claims (7)
AU 2012900267 · Jan 24, 2012 · national
DE 102012108480.7 · Sep 11, 2012 · national
EP 16198759 · Nov 14, 2016 · regional
DE 102018116008.9 · Jul 2, 2018 · national
DE 102018116011.9 · Jul 2, 2018 · national
EP 18198678 · Oct 4, 2018 · regional
DE 102021107597 · Mar 25, 2021 · national
Continuity (12)
Continuation 17680658 · Feb 25, 2022
Continuation In Part 16757834
Continuation In Part PCTEP2018067842 · Jul 2, 2018
Continuation In Part 15800413 · Nov 1, 2017
Continuation In Part 15603751 · May 24, 2017
Continuation In Part 15607894 · May 30, 2017
Continuation In Part 15000754 · Jan 19, 2016
Continuation In Part 14022896 · Sep 10, 2013
Continuation In Part 15439188 · Feb 22, 2017
Continuation 14936024 · Nov 9, 2015
Continuation In Part 14374376
Related Publication 20230052738A1 · Feb 16, 2023
Cited By (2)
US 12,454,222 US 12,576,783