Enhanced informational vehicle puddle lamp assemblies

• US 10,160,380 B1
• Filed: 10/05/2017
• Issued: 12/25/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 10/05/2017
• 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., Dellock, Paul Kenneth, Surman, James J., Stuhec, Ulrich, Gardner, Cornel Lewis
• Primary Examiner(s): Murillo Garcia, Fabricio R
• Application Number:
  US15/725,386
• Time in Patent Office: 446 Days
• Field of Search: 3404255
• 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 1/2696 Mounting of devices using LEDs
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/32 for indicating vehicle sides , e.g. clearance lights
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/507 specific to autonomous vehicles
• 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 2400/20 Multi-color single source or LED matrix, e.g. yellow blinker and red brake lamp generated by single lamp
• 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: B60Q 2400/50 Projected symbol or information, e.g. onto the road or car body
• 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: F21V 23/0435 activated by remote control means
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 23/0471 the sensor detecting the proximity, the presence or the movement of an object or a person
• CPC Class Codes: F21Y 2113/13 comprising an assembly of point-like light sources
• CPC Class Codes: F21Y 2115/10 Light-emitting diodes [LED]
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 47/115 by determining the presence or movement of objects or living beings
• CPC Class Codes: Y02B 20/40 Control techniques providing energy savings, e.g. smart controller or presence detection

Abstract

This disclosure details vehicle puddle lamp assemblies and methods for illuminating the puddle lamp assemblies in a manner that provides a visual indication of a vehicle interior temperature. An exemplary vehicle puddle lamp assembly includes a control module configured to control the puddle lamp assembly to selectively project an illuminated pattern onto a ground surface adjacent to the puddle lamp assembly. The illuminated pattern provides the visual indication of the vehicle interior temperature.

Claims

1. A vehicle lighting system for a vehicle, comprising:

a puddle lamp assembly of the vehicle configured to project an illuminated pattern onto a ground surface adjacent to the puddle lamp assembly; and

a control module configured to control the puddle lamp assembly to project the illuminated pattern in response to a received external command;

wherein the illuminated pattern provides a visual indication of an interior temperature of the vehicle.

2. The vehicle lighting system as recited in claim 1, wherein the illuminated pattern includes a logo, a symbol, a word, or any combination of logos, symbols, and words.

3. The vehicle lighting system as recited in claim 1, wherein the puddle lamp assembly includes a housing, a light source, and an image filter.

4. The vehicle lighting system as recited in claim 3, wherein the light source and the image filter are enclosed or supported within the housing.

5. The vehicle lighting system as recited in claim 3, wherein the light source is configured for emitting light through the image filter.

6. The vehicle lighting system as recited in claim 5, wherein the light source is a Red, Green, Blue (RGB) light emitting diode (LED) for producing the illuminated pattern.

7. The vehicle lighting system as recited in claim 3, wherein the image filter includes a light transparent film having either a positive or a negative light transparent image.

8. The vehicle lighting system as recited in claim 1, comprising a sensor system configured to sense the vehicle interior temperature and communicate a signal to the control module.

9. The vehicle lighting system as recited in claim 1, wherein the control module is configured to receive a door unlock signal for determining whether to command the puddle lamp assembly to project the illuminated pattern.

10. The vehicle lighting system as recited in claim 1, wherein the control module is configured to receive a distance to user signal for determining whether to command the puddle lamp assembly to project the illuminated pattern.

11. The vehicle lighting system as recited in claim 1, wherein the control module is configured to receive a door unlatch signal for determining whether to command the puddle lamp assembly to project the illuminated pattern.

12. The vehicle lighting system as recited in claim 1, wherein the control module is configured to receive a remote start signal for determining whether to command the puddle lamp assembly to project the illuminated pattern.

13. The vehicle lighting system as recited in claim 1, wherein the control module is configured to command the puddle lamp assembly to project the illuminated pattern in a first color if the vehicle interior temperature is above a desired temperature.

14. The vehicle lighting system as recited in claim 13 wherein the control module is configured to command the puddle lamp assembly to project the illuminated pattern in a second color if the vehicle interior temperature is below the desired temperature.

15. The vehicle lighting system as recited in claim 14, wherein the control module is configured to command the puddle lamp assembly to project the illuminated pattern in a third color if the vehicle interior temperature is within a predefined range of the desired temperature.

16. A method, comprising:

monitoring an interior temperature of a vehicle with a sensor system; and

in response to receiving a door unlock signal, a distance to user signal, or a remote start signal, automatically illuminating a puddle lamp assembly of the vehicle to provide a visual indication of the interior temperature to a person located external to the vehicle.

17. The method as recited in claim 16, wherein illuminating the puddle lamp assembly includes providing the visual indication in a first color if the interior temperature is above a desired temperature.

18. The method as recited in claim 17, wherein illuminating the puddle lamp assembly includes providing the visual indication in a second color if the interior temperature is below the desired temperature.

19. The method as recited in claim 18, wherein illuminating the puddle lamp assembly includes providing the visual indication in a third color if the interior temperature is within a predefined range of the desired temperature.

20. A vehicle, comprising:

a sensor system configured to sense an interior temperature;

a puddle lamp assembly configured to selectively project an illuminated pattern that provides a visual indication of the interior temperature; and

a control module configured to control the puddle lamp assembly to project the illuminated pattern in a first color if the interior temperature is above a desired temperature or a second color if the interior temperature is below the desired temperature.