VEHICLE ACCENT MOLDING WITH PUDDLE LIGHT

• US 20120280528A1
• Filed: 05/06/2011
• Published: 11/08/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 05/06/2011
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC (Ford Motor Company)
• Original Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC (Ford Motor Company)
• Inventors: Grudzinski, Gregory J., Musleh, Michael, Dellock, Paul K., Pierce, Joel T., Azzouz, Charles A.
• Application Number:
  US13/102,319
• Publication Number:
  US 20120280528A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 296/1.08
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/247 for illuminating the close surroundings of the vehicle, e.g. to facilitate entry or exit for reverse drive B60Q1/22; by opening a side door B60Q1/323
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/26 the devices being primarily intended to indicate the vehicle, or parts thereof, or to give signals, to other traffic
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/2665 on rear-view mirrors lighting devices for vehicle interior on or for rear-view mirrors B60Q3/258
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/32 for indicating vehicle sides , e.g. clearance lights
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/323 on or for doors illuminated exterior door handles B60Q1/2669; illuminated door locks E05B17/10
• 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: B60Q 2900/40 Several lamps activated in sequence, e.g. sweep effect, progressive activation
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 1/06 mounted on vehicle exterior B60R1/025, B60R1/08 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 1/1207 with lamps; with turn indicators
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 13/04 External Ornamental or guard strips; Ornamental inscriptive devices thereon fastening strips or bars to sheets or plates by means of clips F16B5/12
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2013/046 Foot boards
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/0018 Redirecting means on the surface of the light guide
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/0038 Linear indentations or grooves, e.g. arc-shaped grooves or meandering grooves, extending over the full length or width of the light guide

Abstract

A trim molding for an exterior surface of a vehicle is provided with a trim body formed of a light transmissive material for coupling to the exterior surface, the trim body having an interior side and an exterior side. A variable light source is disposed on the interior side of the trim body. A one-way mirror is disposed on the exterior side of the trim body having an opaque appearance from outside the trim molding in bright ambient lighting conditions. The one-way mirror transmits light from the variable light source therethrough. The variable light source provides a first lighting level for accenting the exterior surface of the vehicle in dark ambient lighting conditions. The variable light source provides a second lighting level greater than the first lighting level to illuminate the ground near the vehicle to assist in vehicle entry in dark ambient lighting conditions.

Claims

1. A trim molding for an exterior surface of a vehicle, comprising:

a trim body formed of a light transmissive material for coupling to the exterior surface, the trim body having an interior side and an exterior side;

a variable light source disposed on the interior side of the trim body; and

a one-way mirror disposed on the exterior side of the trim body having an opaque appearance from outside the trim molding in bright ambient lighting conditions, wherein the one-way mirror transmits light from the variable light source therethrough;

the variable light source providing a first lighting level for accenting the exterior surface of the vehicle in dark ambient lighting conditions; and

the variable light source providing a second lighting level greater than the first lighting level to illuminate the ground near the vehicle to assist in vehicle entry in dark ambient lighting conditions.

2. The trim molding of claim 1 wherein the light source is comprised of a plurality of light elements coupled to a transparent light guide for distributing the light onto the one-way mirror.

3. The trim molding of claim 2 wherein the light elements are comprised of LEDs.

4. The trim molding of claim 2 wherein the distribution of light upon the one-way mirror is substantially uniform.

5. The trim molding of claim 2 wherein the distribution of light transmitted from the trim molding has a pattern.

6. The trim molding of claim 5 comprising a painted surface corresponding to the pattern.

7. The trim molding of claim 2 wherein a subset of the light elements remain off to provide the first lighting level.

8. The trim molding of claim 2 wherein the light elements receive a drive signal and produce a light output proportional to the drive signal.

9. The trim molding of claim 1 wherein the one-way mirror is comprised of a laminated film that includes at least one layer of a metalized polyester film and an adhesive layer for fixing the laminated film to the trim body.

10. The trim molding of claim 9 wherein the laminated film further is comprises a dyed polyester layer.

11. The trim molding of claim 1 wherein the one-way mirror is comprised of a partially-reflective coating applied to the exterior side of the trim body.

12. The trim molding of claim 1 further comprising a protective clear coat over the one-way mirror.

13. The trim molding of claim 1 further comprising a reflective back plate attached to the interior side of the trim body with the variable light source disposed between the back plate and the interior side of the trim body.

14. The trim molding of claim 13 wherein the reflective back plate is comprised of a metallization layer on a surface facing the variable light source.

15. The trim molding of claim 1 wherein the trim body is comprised of a clear plastic.

16. The trim molding of claim 15 wherein the trim body includes a recess for receiving the variable light source.

17. A puddle light system for a vehicle, comprising:

a trim body formed of a light transmissive material coupled to the exterior surface, the trim body having an interior side and an exterior side;

a variable light source disposed on the interior side of the trim body;

a one-way mirror disposed on the exterior side of the trim body having an opaque appearance from outside the trim molding in bright ambient lighting conditions, wherein the one-way mirror transmits light from the variable light source therethrough; and

is a driver for activating the variable light source at a first lighting level for accenting the exterior surface of the vehicle in dark ambient lighting conditions, and for activating the variable light source at a second lighting level greater than the first lighting level to illuminate the ground near the vehicle to assist in vehicle entry in dark ambient lighting conditions.

18. The puddle light system of claim 17 wherein the vehicle includes a remote entry system with a wireless key fob, and wherein the driver responds to activation of the wireless key fob by driving the variable light source at the second lighting level.

19. The puddle light system of claim 17 wherein the vehicle includes an exterior running lamp signal, and wherein the driver responds to the exterior running lamp signal by driving the variable light source at the first lighting level.

20. The puddle light system of claim 17 wherein the driver gradually ramps light output up to or down from the second lighting level.

21. Vehicular trim molding comprising:

a light-transmissive body;

a light source within the body; and

a one-way mirror blocking sight into the body and allowing light from the source out of the body;

the light source providing a first lighting level for accenting the exterior surface and providing a second lighting level greater than the first lighting level to illuminate the ground near the vehicle to assist in vehicle entry.