Aisin Seiki Kabushiki Kaisha

Shoji Okada

Naofumi Fujie

Koji Ito

Tomoaki Imaizumi

Masumi Nishikawa

Hidekazu Kogita

Hitoshi Takayanagi

Toshimitsu Oka

Kazuya Tanaka

Yasuo Kuwabara

Toshiro Maeda

Seika Matsui

Yasuaki Suzuki

Mutsuro Aoyama

Hirotsugu Sugiura

Kazumi Hayashi

Chiaki Yamada

Takao Saeki

Yuji Ichikawa

A control apparatus for opening and closing a convertible top of a vehicle includes first detecting device for outputting a first signal representing that a movable roof is closed, a second detecting device for outputting a second signal representing that a locking mechanism is in a locked condition, a third detecting device for outputting a third signal representing that a driving mechanism is turned to an excessive load condition, and a controller for controlling the driving mechanism according to the first signal, the second signal and the third signal. The controller includes a processing device for executing an error step when the third signal is inputted to the controller and the second signal is not inputted to the controller while the first signal is inputted to the controller.

Control apparatus for opening and closing a convertible top of a vehicle

A seat belt warning device includes a sitting detection switch which is adapted to be in an on-state when a person sits on a vehicle seat and in an off-state when a person is not sitting on the vehicle seat, and a fastening detection switch which is connected to the sitting detection switch in series and adapted to be in an on-state when a seat belt is not fastened and in an off-state when the seat belt is fastened. A warning member is connected to the sitting detection switch and the fastening detection switch in series and is supplied with electric current in the on-state of the sitting detection switch and the on-state of the fastening detection switch to issue a warning.

Seat belt warning device

A sheet-like pressure sensitive switch is disclosed. A spacer 2 of an insulating material is interposed between a first film 1 of an insulating material which is provided with a first electrode 1a and a second film 3 of an insulating material which is provided with a second electrode 3a. The spacer 2 has a number of openings 2a, through which the first electrode 1a and the second electrode 3a oppose each other with an air gap therebetween. A first lead wire 4a and a second lead wire 4b are connected to the first electrode 1a and the second electrode 3a, respectively. In a pressure sensitive switch according to a first embodiment, the first and the second film 1, 3 are formed of polyethylene naphthalate films. In a pressure sensitive switch according to a second embodiment, the second film 3 is formed of polyethylene terephthalate film while the first film 1 is formed of polyethylene naphthalate film.

Pressure sensitive switch

An occupant sensing apparatus for detecting a seated person on a seat includes a pressure switch disposed in the seat. The pressure switch has a pair of films and a pair of electrodes disposed between the films. The pair of electrodes are spaced in the films so as to define an OFF condition of the pressure switch. The pressure switch is in an ON condition when the electrodes contact each other. The occupant sensing apparatus further includes a controller connected to the electrodes of the pressure switch and determining whether the seat is occupied in accordance with the ON or OFF condition of the pressure switch.

Occupant sensing apparatus

A pressure sensitive switch includes a first insulating film provided on one surface thereof with an electrode sheet and an insulating spacer having one surface connected to one surface of the first insulating film and a thickness. The insulating spacer is formed with a plurality of holes, each having a diameter larger than the thickness and a plurality of air-vents, each having a width which is narrower than the diameter of the holes in such a manner that the holes and the air-vents are in mutual air communication and extend through the insulating spacer along its thickness direction. A second insulating film is provided on one surface thereof with another electrode sheet and one surface of the second insulating film is connected to the other surface of the insulating spacer. A cord has a first wire and a second wire connected to the electrode sheet of the first insulating film and the electrode sheet of the second insulating film, respectively. A plurality of air passages extend through the first insulating film along its thickness direction and are in air communication with the air-vents and exposed to an exterior atmosphere.

Pressure sensitive seat switch with air vent passages

The present invention provides a rear under view mirror device having a driving arm and a follower link which are compact in structure. The first driving arm is coupled to a power source and rotatably supported on a mirror assembly and the follower link is coupled to a deflector and the mirror housing. The first driving arm is lockated in parallel with the follower link.

Retractable rear under view mirror device for an automotive vehicle

An under view mirror apparatus for a vehicle comprises a mirror structure mountable on a rear portion of a vehicle and selectively positionable in either a first condition in which the mirror structure is stored in the rear portion of the vehicle or a second condition in which the mirror structure projects out from the rear portion of the vehicle. The first operating mechanism is adapted to be disposed between one side of the minor structure and the rear portion of the vehicle, while the second operating mechanism is adapted to be disposed between the other side of the mirror structure and the rear portion of the vehicle. A driving mechanism which is adapted to be disposed in the rear portion of the vehicle is connected to the first operating mechanism, a driven mechanism which is adapted to be disposed in the rear portion of the vehicle is connected to the second operating mechanism, and a connecting member which is adapted to be disposed in the rear portion of the vehicle is connected to the driving mechanism and the driven mechanism.

Under view mirror apparatus for a vehicle

An outer rear view mirror for a vehicle includes a casing for being connected to a side portion of the vehicle, a mirror member having an outer surface and accommodated within the casing such that the outer surface extends substantially perpendicular to a road surface, and a generator positioned at an upper portion of the outer surface of the mirror member and generating surface acoustic waves which travel along the outer surface of the mirror member towards a lower portion thereof. Water drops on the outer surface of the mirror member are expected to be urged to the lower portion of the mirror member, which results in that the resultant water drops are expelled by the gravity. Thus, the water drops can be removed from the outer surface of the mirror member.

Mirror apparatus

An under view mirror apparatus for a vehicle comprises a mirror structure mountable on a rear portion of a vehicle and selectively positionable in either a first condition in which the mirror structure is stored in the rear portion of the vehicle and a second condition in which the mirror structure projects out from the rear portion of the vehicle, an operating mechanism which is adapted to be disposed between the rear portion of the vehicle and the mirror structure and which supports the mirror structure and moves the mirror structure between the first condition and the second condition. The operating mechanism includes a guide rail for being fixed on the rear portion of the vehicle, a first link slidably supported on the guide rail and connected with the mirror structure, and a second link connected to one of the mirror structure and the first link. The apparatus also includes a driving device connected to the operating mechanism for driving the operating mechanism.

The invention is directed to a retractable rear under view mirror system for an automotive vehicle having a rear door mounted on a vehicle body and hinged at a rear upper portion thereof. There is provided rearward of the automotive vehicle, a deflector which is mounted on the rear door at its upper portion and on which a recess is formed. A mirror assembly is movably supported by the deflector, and selectively positionable from a retracted position to an extended position. A motor is provided for actuating the mirror assembly to be positioned in the retracted position or the extended position. The motor is controlled by an controller in response to an output of a detector for detecting a state of the rear door which is positionable in its open state and its closed state. Consequently, the mirror assembly is moved to a position responsive to the state of the rear door, such that the mirror assembly is automatically retracted when the rear door is closed.

Retractabel rear under view mirror system for an automotive vehicle

The invention is directed to a retractable rear under view mirror system for an automotive vehicle, mounted rearward thereof for ensuring a rear under field of view from a driver's seat. There is provided a base member rearward of the automotive vehicle. A mirror assembly is movably supported by the base member, and selectively positionable from a stored position to a use position. An actuator is provided for actuating the mirror assembly to be positioned in the stored position or the use position. A detector is provided for detecting at least an operating condition of a component out of the components of the automotive vehicle. The actuator is controlled by a controller in response to an output of a detector to move the mirror assembly to a position responsive to the operating condition of the component. The controller is arranged to determine an output state of the detector, and determine a relative position of the mirror assembly to the base member, and arranged to control the actuator in response to the relative position and the output state.

Retractable rear under view mirror system for an automotive vehicle

An arrangement is provided for removing foreign substances from a mirror. A vibrator for vibrating the mirror includes a vibration controlling unit for supplying power to the vibrator. As the vibration controlling unit is located close to the vibrator, the length of the conductive wire which transmits the power can be minimized so as to reduce radio noise. The heat generated by the vibration control unit can be radiated sufficiently through a metallic case member and the vibration controlling unit can be disposed in the closed, small space between the mirror and the housing. Therefore, the size of the housing can be reduced so as to minimize the space which surrounds the vibration control unit. Further, the vibration control unit can be protected from contamination due to the closed case member.

Self-cleaning apparatus for removal of foreign substances from a

An automotive mirror is provided with an actuator which provides vibrations to the mirror so as to remove foreign substances from the surface of the mirror. The actuator may be piezoelectric device which operates in a predetermined, control manner so as to remove foreign substances from the mirrored surface.

Self-cleaning plate-shaped device including a vibrator with oscillations

A cleaning arrangement for an outside rear view mirror of an automobile cleans and removes frost, ice and water droplets from the mirror. A heating element is provided to quickly heat and melt frost and ice into water droplets. A piezoelectric element is provided to vibrate the mirror to cause water droplets to be atomized and removed from the mirror.

Cleaning apparatus for automotive rear view mirror

An ultrasonic motor is provided in which a detector will detect the amplitude of a traveling wave generated on the stator. An oscillator approximates frequency of the travelling wave with respect to the resonance frequency of the stator while the amplitude of the traveling wave is decreased. If the oscillator approaches the frequency of the traveling wave to the resonance frequency of the stator, the amplitude of the traveling wave can be maintained against increasing pressure of the increased torque load of the ultrasonic motor.

Growing community of inventors

Anjo, Japan

Shoji Okada