US 12,741,585 B2Granted

Vehicle fascia comprising rotating reflectors

AssigneeZoox, Inc.

InventorsSergio Angel Aguirre Contreras, Nahuel Elias Battaglia, Herman Francisco Delos Santos, James Michael Eccleston, Ian Kennedy, Andrew David Rudd, Christopher John Stoffel, Lingxuan Zhu, Alexander Kraus

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Abstract

A reflector unit may behave as a retroreflector to reflect light of a selected color. The reflector unit may comprise a plurality of reflector elements having a first side configured to reflect light of a first color and a second side configured to reflect light of a second color. In response to receiving a signal (e.g., indicating a bi-directional vehicle has changed a direction of travel), the reflector unit may cause the reflector elements to rotate and expose a different side of the reflector elements depending on the direction of travel.

Claims20

Dependent claims

A bi-directional vehicle comprising:

a fascia disposed at a first end of the bi-directional vehicle;
and
a reflector unit coupled to the fascia, the reflector unit comprising:
reflector elements comprising a first side and a second side, the first side configured to reflect light of a first color and the second side configured to reflect light of a second color different than the first color;
linkages coupled to the reflector elements;
an actuator mechanically coupled to the linkages;
and
a controller configured to:
receive a signal indicating a change in travel orientation of the bi-directional vehicle from a first orientation to a second orientation that is opposite to the first orientation;
and
in response to receiving the signal, cause the actuator to apply force to the linkages and cause the reflector elements to transition from the first side to the second side, to indicate a front end of the bi-directional vehicle to become a rear end of the bi-directional vehicle.

8 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application: 18/240,946Filed 31 Aug 2023
Published: US 2025/0074295 A16 Mar 2025
Granted: 22 Sep 2026
Term ends: Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification8 codes

B60Q 1/346
For indicating change of drive direction: with automatic actuation
B60Q 1/28
The devices being primarily intended to indicate the vehicle, or parts thereof, or to give signals, to other traffic: for indicating front of vehicle
B60Q 1/543
For indicating other intentions or conditions, e.g. request for waiting or overtaking: for indicating other states or conditions of the vehicle
F21S 43/601
Signalling devices specially adapted for vehicle exteriors, e.g. brake lamps, direction indicator lights or reversing lights: characterised by…