Ingress and egress lighting integrated to sun visor systems

• US 20050281041A1
• Filed: 06/22/2004
• Published: 12/22/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 06/22/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC (General Motors Company)
• Original Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations Incorporated (General Motors Company)
• Inventors: Hester, Kevin M., Kaphengst, Michael R., Koch, Bruce R., Hernandez, Olimpia Maria
• Granted Patent: US 7,128,451 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 362/492
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 3/252 Sun visors
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 3/74 for overall compartment lighting; for overall compartment lighting in combination with specific lighting, e.g. room lamps with reading lamps general lighting mounted on specific fittings B60Q3/20; general lighting for mass transit vehicles B60Q3/43
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 3/78 for generating luminous strips, e.g. for marking trim component edges

Abstract

An apparatus is provided for illuminating the interior of an automotive passenger vehicle for ingress and egress. The apparatus comprises a lighting device integrated into the periphery of a sun visor or similar object. The lighting device is typically activated by a remote entry device, a door opening, or by an interior switch. The apparatus is particularly applicable where overhead interior lighting is impractical, such as in convertibles and other types of vehicles with removable tops. The lighting device may be customized for color and intensity, as well as for physical configuration. The apparatus can also be used in lieu of conventional interior roof lighting as a manufacturing cost reduction.

Claims

1. A system for illuminating the interior of a vehicle having at least one sun visor having a periphery, comprising:

a lighting device integrally formed about the periphery of the sun visor;

a power source configured to energize the lighting device; and

a switching device configured to electrically couple the power source to the lighting device, wherein the lighting device illuminates the vehicle interior when the switching device is activated.

2. The system of claim 1 wherein the lighting device provides an illumination level in the approximate range of 5 to 10 lumens per square meter for the interior of the vehicle.

3. The system of claim 2 wherein the lighting device comprises a series of lights integrated into a flexible ribbon configuration.

4. The system of claim 2 wherein the lighting device comprises a series of lights integrated into a tube configuration.

5. The system of claim 2 wherein the lighting device comprises a series of lights integrated into a channel configuration.

6. The system of claim 1 wherein the switching device is activated when a door of the vehicle is opened.

7. The system of claim 1 wherein the switching device is activated when a door of the vehicle is unlocked.

8. The system of claim 1 wherein the switching device is activated by an interior switch.

9. The system of claim 1 wherein the switching device is activated by an external control device.

10. The system of claim 2 wherein the lighting device has an adjustable color.

11. The system of claim 2 wherein the lighting device has an adjustable intensity.

12. A lighting system for illuminating the interior of a vehicle having a removable roof, comprising:

a lighting device integrated into a part of the vehicle interior that is mechanically independent of the removable roof;

a power source configured to energize the lighting device; and

a switching device configured to electrically couple the power source to the lighting device, wherein the lighting device illuminates the vehicle interior when the switching device is activated.

13. The lighting system of claim 12 wherein the lighting device provides an illumination level in the approximate range of 5 to 10 lumens per square meter for the interior of the vehicle.

14. The lighting system of claim 13 wherein the lighting device comprises a series of lights integrated into a flexible ribbon configuration.

15. The lighting system of claim 13 wherein the lighting device comprises a series of lights integrated into a tube configuration.

16. The lighting system of claim 13 wherein the lighting device comprises a series of lights integrated into a channel configuration.

17. The lighting system of claim 12 wherein the switching device is activated when a door of the vehicle is opened.

18. The lighting system of claim 12 wherein the switching device is activated when a door of the vehicle is unlocked.

19. The lighting system of claim 12 wherein the switching device is activated by an interior switch.

20. The lighting system of claim 12 wherein the switching device is activated by an external control device.

21. The lighting system of claim 13 wherein the lighting device has an adjustable color.

22. The lighting system of claim 13 wherein the lighting device has an adjustable intensity.

23. A sun visor having an integrated lighting device for illuminating the interior of a vehicle, comprising:

a sun visor having a periphery; and

a lighting device integrated into the periphery of the sun visor, wherein the lighting device provides a level of illumination for the vehicle interior in the approximate range of 5 to 10 lumens per square foot.