Lighting module for a motor vehicle

• US 10,131,273 B2
• Filed: 06/16/2016
• Issued: 11/20/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 06/16/2016
• 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, Boettger, Thomas F.
• Primary Examiner(s): Truong, Bao Q
• Application Number:
  US15/184,696
• Publication Number:
  US 20170361760A1
• Time in Patent Office: 887 Days
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/2607 comprising at least two indicating lamps
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/34 for indicating change of drive direction B60Q1/22 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/503 using luminous text or symbol displays in or on the vehicle, e.g. static text
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/543 for indicating other states or conditions of the vehicle indicating taxis' state of hire or fare G07B13/045
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 3/16 Circuits; Control arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 3/217 Doors, e.g. door sills; Steps
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 3/258 Rear-view mirrors
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 3/68 using ultraviolet light
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 9/00 Arrangement or adaptation of signal devices not provided for in one of main groups B60Q1/00 - B60Q7/00 , e.g. haptic signalling
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 43/16 Light sources where the light is generated by photoluminescent material spaced from a primary light generating element
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 43/237 rod-shaped
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 43/247 with a single light source being coupled into the light guide
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 43/249 with two or more light sources being coupled into the light guide
• CPC Class Codes: F21W 2103/25 for rear-view mirrors

Abstract

A lighting module for a motor vehicle includes a carrier, such as a single printed circuit board, and a plurality of light sources configured to perform various functions selected from a group including door lock status, turn signal indication, blind spot warning indication and door latch handle illumination.

Claims

1. A lighting module for a motor vehicle, comprising:

a carrier; and

a plurality of light sources carried on said carrier, wherein said plurality of light sources include (a) a first light source emitting a first excitation light onto a first luminescent marker indicating a locked door lock status, (b) a second light source emitting a second excitation light onto a second luminescent marker indicating an unlocked door lock status and (c) a third light source for emitting visible light directed upon a door latch handle.

2. The lighting module of claim 1 wherein said plurality of light sources carried on said carrier further illuminate a turn signal indicator.

3. The lighting module of claim 2 wherein said plurality of light sources carried on said carrier further illuminate a blind spot indicator.

4. The lighting module of claim 3 wherein said carrier is a printed circuit board with an interconnect network.

5. The lighting module of claim 1 wherein said first light source is selected from a first group consisting of a UV light source and an IR light source.

6. The lighting module of claim 5, wherein said second light source is selected from a second group consisting of a UV light source and an IR light source.

7. The lighting module of claim 6 wherein said first light source is a UV light source and said second light source is an IR light source.

8. The lighting module of claim 6 wherein said first light source is said IR light source and said second light source is said UV light source.

9. The lighting module of claim 1, further including a fourth light source emitting a third excitation light onto a luminescent turn signal indicator.

10. The lighting module of claim 9, further including a fifth light source emitting a fourth excitation light onto a luminescent blind spot indicator.

11. The lighting module of claim 10 wherein said fourth light source is selected from a group consisting of a UV light source and an IR light source.

12. The lighting module of claim 11 wherein said fifth light source is selected from a group consisting of a UV light source and an IR light source.

13. The lighting module of claim 12 wherein said fourth light source is said UV light source and said fifth light source is said IR light source.

14. The lighting module of claim 12 wherein said fourth light source is said IR light source and said fifth light source is said UV light source.

15. A lighting module for a motor vehicle, comprising:

a carrier; and

a plurality of light sources carried on said carrier, wherein said plurality of light sources includes a turn signal indicator light source and a blind spot indicator light source.

16. The lighting module of claim 15 wherein said turn signal indicator light source is selected from a first group of light sources consisting of a UV light source and an IR light source.

17. The lighting module of claim 16 wherein said blind spot indicator light source is selected from a second group of light sources including a UV light source and an IR light source.