Motor vehicle jack positioning system and method

• US 10,195,983 B2
• Filed: 09/06/2016
• Issued: 02/05/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 09/06/2016
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC (Ford Motor Company)
• Original Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC (Ford Motor Company)
• Inventors: Badillo Gutierrez, Jose Abinadi, Garcia Zarco, Pedro, Negrete Cortes, Victor
• Primary Examiner(s): Williams, Joseph L
• Assistant Examiner(s): Diaz, Jose M
• Application Number:
  US15/257,450
• Publication Number:
  US 20180065543A1
• Time in Patent Office: 882 Days
• CPC Class Codes: B60C 23/00 Devices for measuring, signalling, controlling, or distributing tyre pressure or temperature, specially adapted for mounting on vehicles; Arrangement of tyre inflating devices on vehicles, e.g. of pumps or of tanks; Tyre cooling arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/0076 Switches therefor B60Q1/1446, B60Q1/343, B60Q1/40 take precedence
• 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 1/32 for indicating vehicle sides , e.g. clearance lights
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/326 on or for wheels

Abstract

A motor vehicle jack positioning system includes a light source located adjacent a jack point for the motor vehicle and a controller configured to activate the light source in response to a data signal representative of a triggering event.

Claims

1. A motor vehicle jack positioning system for a motor vehicle, comprising:

a light source located adjacent a jack point for said motor vehicle; and

a controller configured to activate said light source in response to a data signal representative of a triggering event.

2. The motor vehicle jack positioning system of claim 1, wherein said triggering event is detection of a flat tire.

3. The motor vehicle jack positioning system of claim 2, including a cover for said light source, said cover being displaceable between a closed position protecting said light source and an opened position allowing passage of light from said light source.

4. The motor vehicle jack positioning system of claim 3, wherein said controller is configured to open said cover in response to said data signal representative of said triggering event.

5. The motor vehicle jack positioning system of claim 1, wherein said triggering event is removal of a spare tire from a spare tire storage point of said motor vehicle.

6. The motor vehicle jack positioning system of claim 5, including a cover for said light source, said cover being displaceable between a closed position protecting said light source and an opened position allowing passage of light from said light source.

7. The motor vehicle jack positioning system of claim 6, wherein said controller is configured to open said cover in response to said data signal representative of said triggering event.

8. A motor vehicle jack positioning system for a motor vehicle, comprising:

a first light source located adjacent a first jack point;

a second light source located adjacent a second jack point;

a third light source located adjacent a third jack point;

a fourth light source located adjacent a fourth jack point; and

a controller configured to activate only said first light source when said first tire goes flat, only said second light source when said second tire goes flat, only said third light source when said third tire goes flat and only said fourth light source when said fourth tire goes flat.

9. The motor vehicle jack positioning system of claim 8, wherein said first light source and said first jack point are associated with a first tire on said motor vehicle, said second light source and said second jack point are associated with a second tire on said motor vehicle, said third light source and said third jack point are associated with a third tire on said motor vehicle and said fourth light source and said fourth jack point are associated with a fourth tire on said motor vehicle.

10. The motor vehicle jack positioning system of claim 9, further including a tire pressure monitoring system for monitoring tire pressures of said first tire, said second tire, said third tire and said fourth tire.

11. A method of positioning a motor vehicle jack with respect to a motor vehicle, comprising:

locating a light source adjacent a jack point of said motor vehicle;

configuring a controller to activate said light source in response to a data signal representative of a triggering event;

detecting, by detecting device, a flat tire where said flat tire is said triggering event;

uncovering, by said controller, said light source in response to said data signal representative of said triggering event; and

activating, by said controller, said light source following said triggering event.

12. The method of claim 11, including detecting, by detecting device, removal of a spare tire from a spare tire storage point of the motor vehicle where spare tire removal is said triggering event.

13. The method of claim 12, including uncovering, by said controller, said light source in response to said data signal representative of said triggering event.