Vehicle exterior lighting system

• US 20090122565A1
• Filed: 11/13/2007
• Published: 05/14/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 11/13/2007
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Lear Corporation
• Original Assignee: Lear Corporation
• Inventors: Gibbons, Michael
• Application Number:
  US11/983,974
• Publication Number:
  US 20090122565A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 362/466
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/0088 Details of electrical connections B60Q1/305 takes precedence; electrical connection of the light source itself F21S41/192, F21S43/195
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 2400/40 Welcome lights, i.e. specific or existing exterior lamps to assist leaving or approaching the vehicle

Abstract

A system for varying the output of an exterior light of a vehicle having a source of power further includes an exterior vehicle light operatively connected to the source power and a controller for controlling the exterior vehicle light. The controller is coupled between the exterior vehicle light and the source of power and generates a plurality of power output signals to the exterior vehicle light, wherein each of the plurality of power output signals defines a light effect.

Claims

1. A system for varying the output of an exterior light of a vehicle having a source of power, the system comprising:

an exterior vehicle light operatively connected to the source power; and

a controller for controlling the exterior vehicle light, the controller coupled between the exterior vehicle light and the source of power, the controller generating a plurality of power output signals to the exterior vehicle light;

wherein each of the plurality of power output signals defines a light effect.

2. The system according to claim 1, wherein the controller includes a field effect transistor.

3. The system according to claim 1, wherein the field effect transistor provides a plurality of Pulse Width Modulation (PWM) signals to the exterior vehicle light.

4. The system according to claim 3, wherein one of the plurality of PWM signals causes the exterior vehicle light to fade from an off position to an on position.

5. The system according to claim 3, wherein one of the plurality of PWM signals causes the exterior vehicle light to fade from an on position to an off position.

6. The system according to claim 3, wherein one of the plurality of PWM signals causes the exterior vehicle light to illuminate intermittently.

7. The system according to claim 3, wherein the control module further includes a user input function, such that a user may select one of the plurality of PWM signals.

8. The system according to claim 3, further including a user input to select a time duration for the one of a plurality of PWM signals.

9. The system according to claim 3, further including an actuator for actuating the transistor for providing a plurality of PWM signals.

10. The system according to claim 9, wherein the actuator is keyless remote entry device.

11. The system according to claim 3, wherein the exterior vehicle light controlled by the controller includes one of a low-beam headlight, a high-beam headlight, a turn signal, and a park light.

12. A system for varying the duty cycle of the control signal of an exterior light of a motor vehicle having a source of power, the system comprising:

an exterior vehicle light operatively connected to the source power; and

a control module for controlling the exterior vehicle light, the control module coupled between the exterior vehicle light and the source of power, the control module providing a plurality of Pulse Width Modulation (PWM) signals to the exterior vehicle light;

wherein each of the plurality of PWM signals defines a light effect.

13. The system according to claim 12, wherein the controller includes a field effect transistor.

14. The system according to claim 13, wherein the field effect transistor provides a plurality of Pulse Width Modulation (PWM) signals to the exterior vehicle light.

15. The system according to claim 13, wherein one of the plurality of PWM signals causes the exterior vehicle light to fade from an off position to an on position.

16. The system according to claim 13, wherein one of the plurality of PWM signals causes the exterior vehicle light to fade from an on position to an off position.

17. The system according to claim 13, wherein one of the plurality of PWM signals causes the exterior vehicle light to illuminate intermittently.

18. The system according to claim 13, wherein the light control module further includes a user input function, such that a user may one of select one of the plurality of PWM signals and select a time duration for the one of the plurality of PWM signals.

19. The system according to claim 13, further including an actuator for actuating the transistor for providing a plurality of PWM signals.

20. A control module for varying the output of an exterior light of a motor vehicle having a source of power, the control module comprising:

a control module housing;

a first connector for coupling the control module to a exterior vehicle light switch;

a second connector for coupling the control module to an exterior vehicle light;

a transistor coupled to the housing and providing a plurality of Pulse Width Modulation (PWM) signals to the exterior vehicle light;

wherein each of the plurality of PWM signals defines a light effect.