Illuminated rack

• US 10,562,442 B2
• Filed: 09/06/2018
• Issued: 02/18/2020
• Est. Priority Date: 12/07/2016
• 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., Dellock, Paul Kenneth, Niksimaee, Mehran, Huebner, Annette Lynn
• Primary Examiner(s): McCormack, Thomas S
• Application Number:
  US16/123,325
• Publication Number:
  US 20190001871A1
• Time in Patent Office: 530 Days
• Field of Search: None
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/2611 Indicating devices mounted on the roof of the vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/2661 mounted on parts having other functions on wheels B60Q1/326
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/44 for indicating braking action or preparation for braking, e.g. by detection of the foot approaching the brake pedal
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/444 with indication of the braking strength or speed changes, e.g. by changing shape or intensity of the indication B60Q1/1407, B60Q1/442, B60Q1/447 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/52 for indicating emergencies
• 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 1/544 for indicating other states or conditions of the vehicle occupants, e.g. for indicating disabled occupants
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 2400/10 Electro- or photo- luminescent surfaces, e.g. signalling by way of electroluminescent strips or panels
• 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: H05B 45/10 Controlling the intensity of the light
• 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

A method of illuminating a vehicle rack includes detecting a crash status of a vehicle; detecting an occupancy status of the vehicle; illuminating a light source positioned within a groove of the vehicle rack in a first illumination state; and altering the illumination of the light source to a second illumination state based on a change in the occupancy status of the vehicle.

Claims

1. A method of illuminating a vehicle rack, comprising:

detecting a crash status of a vehicle;

detecting an occupancy status of the vehicle when the vehicle is detected to have a selected crash status, wherein detecting the occupancy status includes at least detecting a position of a door of the vehicle;

illuminating a light source positioned within a groove of the vehicle rack in a first illumination state; and

altering the illumination of the light source to a second illumination state based on a change in the occupancy status of the vehicle, wherein the change in the occupancy status is detected when the detected position of the door is an open position.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the first illumination state illuminates the light source in an amber color.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the second illumination state does not illuminate the light source.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the first illumination state comprises flashing the light source.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein a plurality of light sources are positioned within the groove.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the light source comprises a photoluminescent structure.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the light source extends through the groove.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the light source comprises a transparent overmold.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein the light source is configured to emit an excitation emission which is converted by a photoluminescent structure to a converted light.