VEHICLE WINDOW ASSEMBLY

• US 20120104789A1
• Filed: 11/02/2010
• Published: 05/03/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 11/02/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
• Original Assignee: Nissan North America Incorporated (Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.)
• Inventors: PLAVETICH, Richard, CHANG, Ching Pin
• Granted Patent: US 8,840,288 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 296/146.14
• 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
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 3/208 Sun roofs; Windows
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 3/82 Switches specially adapted for vehicle interior lighting, e.g. switching by tilting the lens

Abstract

A vehicle window assembly includes a vehicle structure, a window panel and a light source. The vehicle structure defines a viewing aperture. The window panel is mounted to the vehicle structure and covers the viewing aperture. The window panel has a peripheral edge surrounding a first window surface and a second window surface opposite the first window surface. The first window surface includes an etched section. The light source is mounted to the vehicle structure adjacent to a portion of the peripheral edge of the window panel such that light from the light source is directed to the portion of the peripheral edge of the window panel. The light travels in a lateral direction through the window panel selectively illuminating the etched section.

Claims

1. A vehicle window assembly comprising:

a vehicle structure defining a viewing aperture;

a window panel mounted to the vehicle structure and covering the viewing aperture, the window panel having a peripheral edge surrounding a first window surface and a second window surface opposite the first window surface, the first window surface including an etched section; and

a light source mounted to the vehicle structure adjacent to a portion of the peripheral edge of the window panel such that light from the light source is directed to the portion of the peripheral edge of the window panel and such that the light travels in a lateral direction through the window panel selectively illuminating the etched section.

2. The vehicle window assembly according to claim 1, wherein

the vehicle structure defines a portion of a vehicle passenger compartment, and

the first window surface faces the passenger compartment and the second window surface at least partially defines an exterior surface of the vehicle.

3. The vehicle window assembly according to claim 2, wherein

the vehicle structure includes a roof portion that includes the viewing aperture and the window panel to define a sunroof.

4. The vehicle window assembly according to claim 1, wherein

the vehicle structure includes a door portion that includes the viewing aperture and the window panel to define a window.

5. The vehicle window assembly according to claim 4, wherein

the door portion includes a main window area and a quarter-window area with the window panel being disposed in the quarter-window area to define a door quarter-window.

6. The vehicle window assembly according to claim 1, wherein

the vehicle structure includes a recessed lip that surrounds and at least partially defines the viewing aperture, and

the window panel is coupled to the recessed lip.

7. The vehicle window assembly according to claim 6, wherein

the second window surface of the window panel is an exterior surface that is mounted flush with an outer surface of the vehicle structure.

8. The vehicle window assembly according to claim 6, wherein

the vehicle structure includes a recessed area that extends along a section of the viewing aperture between the recessed lip and an adjacent portion of the vehicle structure, and

the light source is fixed within the recessed area between the peripheral edge of the window panel and the vehicle structure.

9. The vehicle window assembly according to claim 8, further comprising

a trim element installed along a periphery of the viewing aperture coupling the window panel to the vehicle structure and concealing the light source.

10. The vehicle window assembly according to claim 1, wherein

the light source is disposed between the peripheral edge of the window panel and a section of the vehicle structure.

11. The vehicle window assembly according to claim 1, wherein

the first window surface is an interior surface relative to the vehicle.

12. The vehicle window assembly according to claim 1, wherein

the window panel is non-movably mounted to the vehicle structure.

13. The vehicle window assembly according to claim 1, wherein

the window panel includes an outer panel and an inner panel, the etched section being located on an interior surface of the inner panel, and

the light source is arranged relative to a peripheral edge of the inner panel such that the light from the light source is directed to the peripheral edge of the inner panel.

14. The vehicle window assembly according to claim 13, wherein

the outer panel has an outer peripheral edge that extends laterally beyond the peripheral edge of the inner panel such that the outer panel and the vehicle structure define a lighting enclosure with the light source being concealed therebetween.

15. The vehicle window assembly according to claim 14, further comprising

a masking material disposed on at least a section of the outer panel proximate the lighting enclosure such that the light source is concealed by the masking material.

16. The vehicle window assembly according to claim 1, wherein

the light source is disposed adjacent to a vehicle roof rail of the vehicle structure.

17. The vehicle window assembly according to claim 1, wherein

the light source is aligned with a center of the window panel relative to a direction of a thickness of the window panel.

18. The vehicle window assembly according to claim 1, wherein

the light source is a light-emitting diode device.

19. The vehicle window assembly according to claim 1, wherein

the light source includes a plurality of light providing devices that are spaced apart from one another around the peripheral edge of the window panel.

20. The vehicle window assembly according to claim 1, wherein

the etched section includes indicia labeling a vehicle component.