Exterior rearview device with illumination functions and autonomous vehicles using same

US10787177B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• SMR Patents S.à.r.l. · LU

Inventors

• Daniel Fritz · Stuttgart, DE
• Ilka Rötzer · Köngen, DE
• Eugen Meier · Ditzingen, DE
• Oliver Schmidt · Palo Alto, US
• Romeo Wieczorek · Eßlingen, DE
• Andrea König · Eßlingen, DE
• Peter Hein · Bamberg, DE
• Alexandru Dobrete · Stuttgart, DE
• Andreas Herrmann · Stuttgart, DE
• Adam Di Fiore · Stuttgart, DE
• Phillip McKenzie · Adelaide, AU
• Marco Cid · Stuttgart, DE
• Simon Belcher · Clarendon, AU
• Reinhold Langbein · Eßlingen, DE

Key dates

• Filing date: Nov 19, 2018
• Grant date: Sep 29, 2020
• Expiry date: Nov 19, 2038

Classification

• Technology area (CPC F): Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
• CPC primary: F21W2102/19
• WIPO field: Transport
• WIPO sector: Mechanical engineering

Abstract

An exterior rearview system for an autonomous vehicle includes a housing adapted for mounting to an exterior side of a vehicle, the housing holding at least one of a reflective element or display screen for displaying to a driver a rear or side image of the vehicle, one or more lighting modules disposed in the housing and providing an adaptive lighting sector which is adaptively controlled, and a control system configured to receive input data related to at least one of a user's intention using a tracking sensor and a user's retaking control of the autonomous vehicle.