Device for indicating a turn signal on a motor vehicle window

• US 10,300,844 B2
• Filed: 06/16/2016
• Issued: 05/28/2019
• 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): Garlen, Alexander
• Application Number:
  US15/184,650
• Publication Number:
  US 20170361764A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,076 Days
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2360/334 Projection means
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2360/785 on or in relation to the windshield or windows
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2360/794 on or in doors
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 35/00 Instruments specially adapted for vehicles; Arrangement of instruments in or on vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 35/28 characterised by the type of the output information, e.g. video entertainment or vehicle dynamics information; characterised by the purpose of the output information, e.g. for attracting the attention of the driver
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 35/60 Instruments characterised by their location or relative disposition in or on vehicles arrangements of lighting devices on dashboards B60Q3/10
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/268 on windscreens or windows B60Q1/302 takes precedence; lighting devices for vehicle interior on or for windows B60Q3/208
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/32 for indicating vehicle sides , e.g. clearance lights
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/34 for indicating change of drive direction B60Q1/22 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/38 using immovably-mounted light sources, e.g. fixed flashing lamps
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 3/208 Sun roofs; Windows
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 3/258 Rear-view mirrors
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 3/64 for a single lighting device
• 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: B60R 1/006 Side-view mirrors, e.g. V-shaped mirrors located at the front or rear part of the vehicle combined with rear-view mirrors B60R1/08; side-view periscopes B60R1/10
• CPC Class Codes: F21K 2/005 excited by infrared radiation using up-conversion
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 43/13 characterised by the type of light source
• 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: F21V 9/38 : Combination of two or more photoluminescent elements of different materials
• CPC Class Codes: F21Y 2113/10 : of different colours
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/0096 : the lights guides being of the hollow type

Abstract

A device for indicating lock status of a motor vehicle door includes a door lock status indicator carried on a window of the motor vehicle door. A device for indicating a turn signal of a motor vehicle includes a turn signal indicator carried on a window of the motor vehicle. These devices may be combined into a single lighting module.

Claims

1. A device for indicating a turn signal on a motor vehicle, comprising:

a turn signal indicator carried on a window adjacent an A pillar of the motor vehicle including a first luminescent marker having a first invisible state and a first visible state;

a light pipe connected to an aperture in a door trim of the motor vehicle;

a first light source configured to emit an excitation light through the light pipe and the aperture onto the turn signal indicator such that the turn signal indicator is visible from an exterior of the motor vehicle.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein said first light source is a UV light source.

3. The device of claim 1, wherein said first light source is an IR light source.

4. The device of claim 1, further including a blind spot indicator carried on said window of the motor vehicle.

5. The device of claim 4 wherein said blind spot indicator includes a second luminescent marker having a second invisible state and a second visible state.

6. The device of claim 5, further including a second light source configured to project a second excitation light upon said second luminescent marker and change said second luminescent marker from said second invisible state to said second visible state.

7. The device of claim 6 wherein said first light source is a UV light source and said first luminescent marker is responsive to said UV light source.

8. The device of claim 7 wherein said second light source is an IR light source and said second luminescent marker is responsive to said IR light source.

9. The device of claim 6 wherein said first light source is an IR light source and said first luminescent marker is responsive to said IR light source.

10. The device of claim 9 wherein said second light source is a UV light source and said second luminescent marker is responsive to said UV light source.

11. The device of claim 6 wherein said second luminescent marker is positioned on said window adjacent a front portion thereof in a driver'"'"'s sight path to an exterior side mirror where said blind spot indicator is easily seen when a driver is using said exterior side mirror to confirm space to change lanes in said motor vehicle.

12. The device of claim 11 wherein said first luminescent marker is positioned on said window adjacent said second luminescent marker.