Vehicle lamp system

• US 10,106,074 B2
• Filed: 12/07/2016
• Issued: 10/23/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 12/07/2016
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC (Ford Motor Company)
• Original Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC (Ford Motor Company)
• Inventors: Salter, Stuart C., Gardner, Cornel Lewis, Dellock, Paul Kenneth, Surman, James J.
• Primary Examiner(s): HAN, JASON
• Application Number:
  US15/371,685
• Publication Number:
  US 20180154823A1
• Time in Patent Office: 685 Days
• Field of Search: 362494, 362545
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/22 for reverse drive
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/247 for illuminating the close surroundings of the vehicle, e.g. to facilitate entry or exit for reverse drive B60Q1/22; by opening a side door B60Q1/323
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/2665 on rear-view mirrors lighting devices for vehicle interior on or for rear-view mirrors B60Q3/258
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/32 for indicating vehicle sides , e.g. clearance lights
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 2400/40 Welcome lights, i.e. specific or existing exterior lamps to assist leaving or approaching the vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 1/074 for retracting the mirror arrangements to a non-use position alongside the vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 1/1207 with lamps; with turn indicators
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 13/005 Manufacturers' emblems, name plates, bonnet ornaments, mascots or the like; Mounting means therefor

Abstract

A vehicle mirror assembly is provided herein. The mirror assembly includes a housing. A first light source is disposed within the housing and is operably coupled with a first light output window disposed on an inboard portion of the housing. A second light source is disposed within the housing and is operably coupled with a second light output window disposed on a bottom portion of the housing. A third light source is disposed within the housing and is operably coupled with a third light output window disposed on an outboard portion of the housing.

Claims

1. A vehicle mirror assembly, comprising:

a first light source disposed within an exterior housing and operably coupled with two light pipes and a first light output window disposed on an inboard portion of the housing, the first light output window facing a vehicle cabin when the housing is in a deployed position and vehicle forward in a folded position;

a second light source disposed within the housing and operably coupled with a second light output window disposed on a bottom portion of the housing; and

a third light source disposed within the housing and operably coupled with a third light output window disposed on an outboard portion of the housing.

2. The vehicle mirror assembly of claim 1, further comprising:

a bracket coupled to a vehicle and to the housing, wherein an electrical connector is disposed through the bracket for providing electrical power to the housing.

3. The vehicle mirror assembly of claim 1, further comprising:

a pivot assembly configured to move the housing between the deployed position and the folded position.

4. The vehicle mirror assembly of claim 3, wherein the pivot assembly is electronically controlled and rotates the housing between the deployed position and the folded position based on a predefined event.

5. The vehicle mirror assembly of claim 3, wherein the first light output window is configured to direct light vehicle forward when the housing is in the folded position.

6. The vehicle mirror assembly of claim 1, wherein one of the two light pipes extends along a vehicle forward portion of the housing.

7. The vehicle mirror assembly of claim 1, wherein the first, second, and third light sources are disposed on at least two sides of a common printed circuit board.

8. A vehicle mirror assembly, comprising:

a housing coupled to and separated from a bracket by a gap, the housing operable between deployed and folded positions; and

first and second light output windows defined by the housing,

a first light source operably coupled with two light pipes and emitting excitation light into the gap; and

a second light source emitting excitation light through the second light output window when the housing is in the deployed position.

9. The vehicle mirror assembly of claim 8, wherein the first light source is disposed on an outward portion of the housing and the second light source is disposed on a bottom portion of the housing.

10. The vehicle mirror assembly of claim 8, wherein the first or second light output window includes a luminescent structure thereon.

11. The vehicle mirror assembly of claim 10, wherein the luminescent structure includes at least one luminescent material configured to convert an excitation light into a visible converted light.

12. The vehicle mirror assembly of claim 10, further comprising:

a badge disposed on a vehicle that is illuminated by the first light source.

13. The vehicle mirror assembly of claim 8, wherein the first light source is operably coupled with a light guide for directing light through the second light output window.

14. The vehicle mirror assembly of claim 9, wherein the third light output window

is disposed on an opposing side of the housing from the first light output window.

15. A vehicle lamp assembly, comprising:

a housing attached to a bracket and operable between folded and deployed positions;

a first light source operably coupled with two separated light pipes disposed between the housing and the bracket when the housing is in the deployed position; and

a second light source disposed on an outboard portion of the housing, wherein the first and second light sources emit light vehicle forwardly and rearwardly in the folded position.

16. The vehicle lamp assembly of claim 15, wherein a luminescent structure is disposed on the first or second light source and is configured to luminesce in response to receiving an excitation light from a first light source.

17. The vehicle lamp assembly of claim 15, wherein first and second light output windows are operably coupled with respective first and second light sources.

18. The vehicle lamp assembly of claim 17, wherein the first and second light sources emit light of a first wavelength when a vehicle condition occurs and a second wavelength when the vehicle condition does not occur.

19. The vehicle lamp assembly of claim 18, wherein the vehicle condition is an actuation of a door lock system.

20. The vehicle lamp assembly of claim 19, wherein the first and second light output windows each include optics for directing excitation light in a predefined direction.