Indication system for a vehicle

• US 20040075537A1
• Filed: 10/02/2002
• Published: 04/22/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 10/02/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Visteon Global Technologies Incorporated (Visteon Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Visteon Global Technologies Incorporated (Visteon Corporation)
• Inventors: Gattis, Christopher W., Ford, Rebecca J., Matson, Jeff A., Quigley, John H.
• Granted Patent: US 6,842,110 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/425.5
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/2611 Indicating devices mounted on the roof of the vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/2626 Screw-nut fasteners
• 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

Abstract

An indication system is located within the interior of a vehicle to eliminate any drag caused by the system, and is also mounted in a manner which provides a stealth effect. Preferably, the indication system is incorporated into the interior trim. The indication system is also structured to prevent any flashback to the occupants of the vehicle.

Claims

1. An indication system for a vehicle, the vehicle having a windshield and interior trim, the interior trim including a headliner covering a roof panel a pair of left and right trim pieces covering left and right pillars, the indication system comprising:

a light assembly connected to the vehicle proximate the windshield, the light assembly including a plurality of light modules for indication;

a cover encasing the light assembly and incorporated into the interior trim for providing a stealth effect to the indication system, the cover including left and right edges abutting the left and right trim pieces, the cover including an upper edge abutting the headliner and a lower edge extending along the windshield.

2. The indication system of claim 1, the interior trim having a color, wherein the cover has a color similar to the color of the trim to enhance the stealth effect.

3. The indication system of claim 1, the windshield including a tinted portion, wherein the light assembly spans an area of the windshield overlapping the tinted portion for enhancing the stealth effect.

4. The indication system of claim 1, the windshield being a front windshield having a rear view mirror, wherein the light assembly and cover are positioned above the rear view mirror.

5. The indication system of claim 1, wherein the lower edge of the cover has a gasket attached thereto, the gasket contacting the windshield to prevent flashback from the light assembly.

6. The indication system of claim 1, the headliner covering a support bar attached to the roof panel, further comprising a bracket attached to the support bar and extending forwardly around the headliner, downwardly from the roof and forwardly towards the windshield, the light assembly attached to the bracket.

7. The indication system of claim 1, wherein the light assembly is attached to a bracket, the bracket being attached to the vehicle, and wherein the cover is attached to the bracket.

8. The indication system of claim 7, wherein the light assembly is attached to the bracket using a fastener, and wherein the cover is attached to the bracket using the same fastener.

9. The indication system of claim 7, further comprising a radar antenna attached to the vehicle via a pivot bar, the radar antenna rotating about a generally vertical axis defined by the pivot bar, the pivot bar rotating about a generally horizontal axis defined by the bracket.

10. The indication system of claim 9, further comprising a video camera coupled to the radar antenna by a connection bar, the connection bar being rotatably attached to the pivot bar.

11. An indication system for a vehicle, the vehicle having a window and interior trim, the indication system comprising:

a light assembly connected to the vehicle proximate the window, the light assembly including a plurality of light modules for indication;

a cover encasing the light assembly, the cover including an edge extending along the window and having a gasket attached thereto, the gasket contacting the window to prevent flashback from the light assembly.

12. The indication system of claim 11, wherein the edge of the cover is one of an upper edge and a lower edge.

13. The indication system of claim 12, wherein the cover includes left and right edges, the gasket being attached to the left and right edges of the cover.

14. The indication system of claim 11, the window being a rear windshield, the interior trim including a rear package tray situated below the rear windshield, wherein the light assembly is attached to the package tray.

15. The indication system of claim 14, the vehicle including a high mount brake light positioned above the rear package tray and proximate the rear windshield, wherein the cover is incorporated into the high mount brake light to provide a stealth effect.

16. The indication system of claim 14, the vehicle including a trunk hood pivotable between open and closed positions, the light assembly being visible from behind the vehicle when the trunk hood is in the open position.

17. The indication system of claim 14, further comprising a second light assembly and a second cover encasing the light assembly, the second cover including an edge extending along the rear windshield and having a gasket attached thereto, the gasket contacting the windshield to prevent flashback from the second light assembly.

18. The indication system of claim 17, wherein the first and second light assemblies are vertically spaced apart.

19. The indication system of claim 17, the rear windshield including a first tinted portion and a second tinted portion, wherein the first light assembly spans an area of the windshield overlapping the first tinted portion and the second light assembly spans an area of the windshield overlapping the second tinted portion for enhancing the stealth effect.

20. An indication system for a vehicle, the vehicle having a front windshield, a rear windshield, a right side window, a left side window and interior trim, the indication system comprising:

a first light assembly connected to the vehicle proximate the front windshield, the first light assembly including a plurality of light modules for indication;

a second light assembly connected to the vehicle proximate the rear windshield, the second light assembly including a plurality of light modules for indication;

a third light assembly connected to the vehicle proximate the right side window, the third light assembly including a plurality of light modules for indication;

a fourth light assembly connected to the vehicle proximate the left side windshield, the fourth light assembly including a plurality of light modules for indication;

a controller operatively connected to the light modules of the first, second, third and fourth light assemblies for coordinating the indication system and providing a 360 degree visibility of the indication system.

21. The indication system of claim 20, further comprising a first cover encasing the first light assembly, a second cover encasing the second light assembly, a third cover encasing the third light assembly, a fourth cover encasing the fourth light assembly, each of the first, second, third, and fourth covers being incorporated into the interior trim.

22. The indication system of claim 21, wherein the third and fourth covers are incorporated into the trim at the base of the right and left windows, respectively.

23. The indication system of claim 20, wherein the first, second, third and fourth light assemblies are capable of independent operation.

24. The indication system of claim 20, wherein the plurality of light modules forming the first light assembly include a set of light modules facing forwardly, at least one light module angled forwardly and to the right, and at least one light module angled forwardly and to the left.