Vehicle lamp assembly

• US 10,391,943 B2
• Filed: 10/09/2017
• Issued: 08/27/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 10/09/2017
• 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, Stuhec, Ulrich, Hoelscher, Keith
• Primary Examiner(s): Sember, Thomas M
• Application Number:
  US15/728,013
• Publication Number:
  US 20190106058A1
• Time in Patent Office: 687 Days
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/00 Arrangement of optical signalling or lighting devices, the mounting or supporting thereof or circuits therefor for lighting vehicle interior B60Q3/00
• 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 1/2607 comprising at least two indicating lamps
• 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: B60Q 2900/30 Lamps commanded by wireless transmissions
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 1/062 with remote control for adjusting position B60R1/0607 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 1/074 for retracting the mirror arrangements to a non-use position alongside the vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 1/12 Mirror assemblies combined with other articles, e.g. clocks
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 1/1207 with lamps; with turn indicators

Abstract

A vehicle mirror assembly is provided herein. The vehicle mirror assembly includes a housing operable between a deployed position and a folded position. A lamp assembly is coupled to the housing and has a first light source configured to direct light rearwardly of the housing and a second light source configured to direct light forwardly of the housing. The housing is configured to move from the deployed position to the folded position when an object is detected.

Claims

1. A vehicle mirror assembly, comprising:

a housing on a side of a vehicle and operable between a deployed position and a folded position; and

a lamp assembly in the housing having a first light source configured to direct light rearwardly of the housing and a second light source configured to direct light forwardly of the housing, wherein the housing is configured to move from the deployed position to the folded position when an object is detected, wherein the lamp assembly illuminates a substantial area of the side of the vehicle when the housing is in the folded position, and wherein the lamp assembly illuminates a greater portion of the side of the vehicle in the folded position than in the deployed position.

2. The vehicle mirror assembly of claim 1, wherein the object is detected by an exterior sensor disposed on the vehicle.

3. The vehicle mirror assembly of claim 1, wherein the object is detected by a camera disposed on the vehicle.

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

a first reflector operably coupled with the first light source and a second reflector operably coupled with the second light source.

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

a third light source configured to emit light towards a ground surface proximate the vehicle.

6. The vehicle mirror assembly of claim 5, wherein the side mirror housing is moved from the deployed position to the folded position when the vehicle moves below a predefined speed.

7. The vehicle mirror assembly of claim 5, wherein the first and second light sources emit light forwardly and rearwardly of the housing when the housing is in the folded position and the deployed position.

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

a light sensor disposed on the vehicle and configured to detect an ambient light level, wherein the intensity of emitted light emanated from the lamp assembly is varied based on the detected light level.

9. The vehicle mirror assembly of claim 8, wherein the lamp assembly includes a rear housing and a heatsink configured to capture at least a portion of heat generated by the first or second light source, the heatsink extending through the housing.

10. The vehicle mirror assembly of claim 9, wherein the heat transferred from the heatsink is configured to warm a mirror within the housing.

11. The vehicle mirror assembly of claim 10, wherein emitted light from the first or second light source is directed in two opposing directions when the housing is disposed in the folded position.

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

a luminescent structure disposed on the vehicle and excitable by emitted light from the lamp assembly.

13. A vehicle mirror assembly, comprising:

a housing on a side of the vehicle and operable between a deployed position and a folded position; and

a lamp assembly in the housing having a light source configured to direct light forwardly and rearwardly of the housing when the housing is in the deployed and folded positions, wherein the lamp assembly illuminates a substantial area of the side of the vehicle when the housing is in the folded position, and wherein the lamp assembly illuminates a greater portion of the side of the vehicle in the folded position than in the deployed position.

14. The vehicle mirror assembly of claim 13, further comprising:

an exterior sensor disposed on a vehicle and configured to detect an object proximate the vehicle, wherein the housing moves from the deployed to the folded position when the object is detected and the vehicle is moving below a predefined speed.

15. The vehicle mirror assembly of claim 13, further comprising:

a camera disposed on a vehicle and configured to detect an object proximate the vehicle, wherein the housing moves from the deployed to the folded position when the object is detected and the vehicle is moving below a predefined speed.

16. A lamp assembly for a vehicle, comprising:

a printed circuit board (PCB) attached to a rear housing on a side of the vehicle; and

a reflector and a lens each operably coupled with a light source disposed on the PCB, wherein the housing is moved between a deployed position and a folded position and the light source directs emitted light forwardly and rearwardly of the rear housing in the deployed and the folded positions, wherein the lamp assembly further directs emitted light onto a substantial area of the side of the vehicle when the housing is in the folded position, and wherein the lamp assembly illuminates a greater portion of the side of the vehicle in the folded position than in the deployed position.

17. The lamp assembly for a vehicle of claim 16, wherein the rear housing is coupled to a housing of a vehicle mirror assembly.

18. The lamp assembly for a vehicle of claim 17, wherein the housing of the vehicle mirror assembly moves between the deployed position and the folded position.

19. The lamp assembly for a vehicle of claim 16, further comprising:

a heatsink disposed within the housing of the vehicle mirror assembly and configured to capture at least a portion of heat generated by the light source.

20. The lamp assembly for a vehicle of claim 18, wherein the housing of the vehicle mirror assembly moves from the deployed position to the folded position when an object is proximate a vehicle and the vehicle is moving below a predefined speed.