Vehicle door removal and storage

• US 10,399,486 B2
• Filed: 05/10/2017
• Issued: 09/03/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 05/10/2017
• 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., Buttolo, Pietro, Dellock, Paul Kenneth, Gardner, Cornel Lewis
• Primary Examiner(s): Pape, Joseph D.
• Application Number:
  US15/591,172
• Publication Number:
  US 20180326897A1
• Time in Patent Office: 846 Days
• Field of Search: 296 371, 296 378, 296 3716, 29614611, 49463, 49465
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 3/217 Doors, e.g. door sills; Steps
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 3/30 for compartments other than passenger or driving compartments, e.g. luggage or engine compartments
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 3/76 for spotlighting, e.g. reading lamps spotlighting on or for specific fittings B60Q3/20; spotlighting in mass transit vehicles B60Q3/44
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 3/80 Circuits; Control arrangements for dashboards B60Q3/16; for mass transit vehicles B60Q3/47
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 5/04 arranged at rear of vehicle B60R5/003, B60R5/006 take precedence; external trunks arranged at rear of vehicle B60R9/065

Abstract

A vehicle includes a hinge assembly rotatably coupling a vehicle door to a frame of the vehicle. A first light assembly is positioned proximate the door and configured to illuminate the hinge assembly. A door retention system having a housing defining a slot is configured to accept the insertion of the vehicle door. A second light assembly is configured to illuminate the slot.

Claims

1. A vehicle, comprising:

a hinge assembly rotatably coupling a vehicle door to a frame of the vehicle;

a first light assembly positioned proximate the door and configured to illuminate the hinge assembly, wherein the first light assembly is configured to independently illuminate the hinge assembly and an electrical connection;

a door retention system having a housing defining a slot configured to accept an insertion of the vehicle door; and

a second light assembly configured to illuminate the slot.

2. The vehicle of claim 1, further comprising:

a cushion positioned within the slot.

3. The vehicle of claim 1, further comprising:

a cargo area positioned within an interior of the vehicle, wherein the door retention system is positioned within the cargo area.

4. The vehicle of claim 1, further comprising:

a roller and a cushion positioned within the slot, wherein the roller and the cushion are configured to engage the door.

5. The vehicle of claim 1, further comprising:

a sensor positioned within the slot and configured to detect the presence of the door within the housing.

6. The vehicle of claim 1, wherein the electrical connection is positioned proximate the hinge assembly.

7. The vehicle of claim 1, wherein the first light assembly is coupled with a headliner of the vehicle.

8. The vehicle of claim 1, further comprising:

a luminescent structure positioned on a connector of the electrical connection.

9. The vehicle of claim 1, further comprising:

a luminescent structure positioned on the hinge assembly.

10. The vehicle of claim 9, wherein the luminescent structure is positioned on a hinge pin of the hinge assembly.

11. A vehicle, comprising:

a hinge assembly rotatably coupling a vehicle door to a frame of the vehicle;

a first photoluminescent structure positioned on the hinge assembly;

a door retention system having a housing defining a slot configured to accept an insertion of the vehicle door; and

a light assembly configured to illuminate the slot.

12. The vehicle of claim 11, further comprising:

a sensor positioned within the slot and configured to detect the presence of the door within the housing.

13. The vehicle of claim 11, further comprising:

a roller positioned at a bottom of the slot.

14. The vehicle of claim 11, wherein the housing defines a plurality of slots, each of the slots having a cross-sectional shape substantially similar to that of a different vehicle door.

15. The vehicle of claim 11, further comprising:

a retention strap coupled to the housing and extending across the slot.

16. A method of removing and storing a door of a vehicle, comprising the steps of:

activating a first light assembly to illuminate a hinge assembly coupling the door to the vehicle;

activating the first light assembly to excite a photoluminescent structure positioned on the hinge assembly;

disassembling the hinge assembly;

activating a second light assembly to illuminate a slot of a door retention system; and

inserting the door into the slot.

17. The method of claim 16, further comprising the step of:

activating the first light assembly to illuminate an electrical connection extending between the door and the frame.

18. The method of claim 16, further comprising the step of:

activating the first light assembly to excite a photoluminescent structure positioned on the electrical connection.