SELF-POWERED ILLUMINATION ASSEMBLY

• US 20160010818A1
• Filed: 07/08/2014
• Published: 01/14/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 07/08/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
• Original Assignee: Nissan North America Incorporated (Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.)
• Inventors: JOHNSON, Randall, SURA, Bhargav
• Granted Patent: US 9,718,398 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/503 using luminous text or symbol displays in or on the vehicle, e.g. static text
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 3/217 Doors, e.g. door sills; Steps
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 3/30 for compartments other than passenger or driving compartments, e.g. luggage or engine compartments
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 3/51 for mounting lighting devices onto vehicle interior, e.g. onto ceiling or floor
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 3/82 Switches specially adapted for vehicle interior lighting, e.g. switching by tilting the lens
• CPC Class Codes: H02N 2/186 Vibration harvesters

Abstract

A self-powered illumination assembly for a vehicle includes a closure panel and a sill protector mounted adjacent to the closure panel. An energy harvesting device is configured to convert ambient energy to electrical energy. A storage device is electrically connected to the energy harvesting device to store the electrical energy. An illumination member is electrically connected to the storage device and is configured to be illuminated by electrical energy supplied from the storage device. A sensor is connected to the sill protector and is configured to supply the stored electrical energy to the illumination member when movement of the closure panel is detected.

Claims

1. A self-powered illumination assembly for a vehicle, comprising:

a closure panel;

a sill protector mounted adjacent to the closure panel;

an energy harvesting device configured to convert ambient energy to electrical energy;

a storage device electrically connected to the energy harvesting device to store the electrical energy;

an illumination member electrically connected to the storage device and configured to be illuminated by electrical energy supplied from the storage device; and

a sensor connected to the sill protector and configured to supply the stored electrical energy to the illumination member when movement of the closure panel is detected.

2. The self-powered illumination assembly for a vehicle according to claim 1, wherein

the sensor comprises a magnetic sensor connected to the sill protector and a magnet connected to the closure panel.

3. The self-powered illumination assembly for a vehicle according to claim 1, wherein

the sensor comprises a proximity sensor.

4. The self-powered illumination assembly for a vehicle according to claim 1, wherein

the energy harvesting device is a microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) array configured to convert vibration energy to electrical energy.

5. The self-powered illumination assembly for a vehicle according to claim 1, wherein

the storage device is a super capacitor.

6. The self-powered illumination assembly for a vehicle according to claim 1, wherein

the energy harvesting device, the storage device and the illumination member are disposed in a housing connected to the sill protector.

7. The self-powered illumination assembly for a vehicle according to claim 1, wherein

the illumination member comprises a plurality of light emitting diodes.

8. The self-powered illumination assembly for a vehicle according to claim 1, further comprising

a resistor electrically connected to the storage device configured to control a discharge rate of electrical energy from the storage device.

9. The self-powered illumination assembly for a vehicle according to claim 1, wherein

the vehicle structure is a rear bumper.

10. The self-powered illumination assembly for a vehicle according to claim 4, wherein

the MEMS array comprises a plurality of piezoelectric sensors.

11. The self-powered illumination assembly for a vehicle according to claim 4, wherein

the MEMS array includes a plurality of sensors configured to harvest vibration energy from a plurality of frequency ranges.

12. The self-powered illumination assembly for a vehicle according to claim 1, further comprising

an indicator electrically connected to the storage device to indicate a charging status of the storage device.

13. A self-powered illumination assembly for a vehicle, comprising:

a vehicle structure;

a microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) array connected to the vehicle structure and configured to convert vibration energy to electrical energy, the MEMS array including a plurality of sensors configured to harvest vibration energy from a plurality of frequency ranges;

a storage device electrically connected to the MEMS array to store the electrical energy;

an illumination member electrically connected to the storage device; and

a proximity sensor connected to the MEMS array, the stored electrical energy being supplied to the illumination member by the storage device when activated by the proximity sensor.

14. The self-powered illumination assembly for a vehicle according to claim 13, further comprising

a resistor electrically connected to the storage device configured to control a discharge rate of electrical energy from the storage device.

15. The self-powered illumination assembly for a vehicle according to claim 13, wherein

the MEMS array comprises a plurality of piezoelectric sensors.

16. A method of illuminating an illumination member of a vehicle, comprising the steps of

harvesting ambient energy with an energy harvesting device and converting the harvested ambient energy to electrical energy;

storing the electrical energy in a storage device;

sensing movement of a closure panel of the vehicle with a sensor; and

supplying the stored electrical energy to the illumination member to illuminate the illumination member when the sensor is activated by movement of the closure panel from a closed position to an open position.

17. The method according to claim 16, wherein

the energy harvesting device comprises a microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) array configured to harvest vibration energy and convert the harvested vibration energy to electrical energy.

18. The method according to claim 16, further comprising

controlling the rate at which the stored electrical energy is supplied to the illumination member.

19. The method according to claim 16, wherein

the stored electrical energy is supplied to the illumination member until the storage member is discharged.

20. The method according to claim 16, further comprising

stopping the supply of electrical energy to the illumination member when the sensor is activated by movement of the closure panel from the open position to the closed position.