CLOSURE LOCK STATUS DISPLAY SYSTEM AND RELATED METHOD

• US 20160221501A1
• Filed: 01/29/2015
• Published: 08/04/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 01/29/2015
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC (Ford Motor Company)
• Original Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC (Ford Motor Company)
• Inventors: Jergess, Rafic, Radjewski, Christopher Matthew, Linden, Howard Paul, Hazebrouck, Laura Viviana, Ricks, John Thomas
• Granted Patent: US 9,487,140 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 11/00 Arrangement of monitoring devices for devices provided for in groups B60Q1/00 - B60Q9/00
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/34 of conditions of vehicle components, e.g. of windows, door locks or gear selectors
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 41/00 Locks with visible indication as to whether the lock is locked or unlocked indicator lights E05B17/10
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 77/48 by electrical means
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 81/72 the lock status, i.e. locked or unlocked condition

Abstract

A doorlock status display system is provided for a motor vehicle. That system includes a door module and a lock status display module. The door module includes a controller, a doorlock and a doorlock status sensor for each door of the motor vehicle. The lock status display module includes a lock status controller, a first indicator for door unlocked status, a second indicator for all doors locked status and a third indicator for all doors locked and closed status.

Claims

1. A door lock status display system for a motor vehicle, comprising:

a door module including a controller, a door lock and a door status sensor for each door of the motor vehicle; and

a lock status display module including a lock status controller, a first indicator for door unlocked status, a second indicator for all doors locked status and a third indicator for all doors locked and closed status.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein said door status sensor includes a door lock sensor and a door position sensor.

3. The system of claim 2, wherein said first indicator includes a first light source, said second indicator includes a second light source and said third indicator includes a third light source.

4. The system of claim 3, wherein said first indicator illuminates in a first color, said second indicator illuminates in a second color and said third indicator illuminates in a third color.

5. The system of claim 4, wherein said first color is green, said second color is orange and said third color is red.

6. The system of claim 2, wherein said first indicator includes a first illuminated icon, said second indicator includes a second illuminated icon and said third indicator includes a third illuminated icon.

7. The system of claim 6, wherein said first, second and third icons are illuminated in a different color.

8. A system of claim 6, wherein said first, second, and third icons are displayed by one unit and appear in the same location.

9. The system of claim 7, wherein said first icon is illuminated in green, said second icon is illuminated in orange and said third icon is illuminated in red.

10. The system of claim 8, wherein said first icon depicts an unlocked padlock and said second and third icons depict a locked padlock.

11. The system of claim 1, wherein said lock status display module is located on a door of the vehicle.

12. The system of claim 1, wherein said lock status display module is located on a body panel of the vehicle.

13. The system of claim 1, wherein said lock status display module is located on an applique of the vehicle.

14. The system of claim 1, wherein said lock status display module is located on a door handle of the vehicle.

15. The system of claim 1, further including additional door modules for each door of said motor vehicle wherein each such additional door module includes a controller, a door lock and a door status sensor.

16. The system of claim 14, further including a liftgate/trunk lid/hatch module for a liftgate/trunk lid/hatch of the motor vehicle, said liftgate/trunk lid/hatch module including a controller, a liftgate/trunk lid/hatch lock and a liftgate/trunk lid/hatch status sensor.

17. The system of claim 15, wherein said liftgate/trunk lid/hatch status sensor includes a liftgate/trunk lid/hatch lock sensor and a liftgate/trunk lid/hatch position sensor.

18. A method of displaying the lock status of a motor vehicle, comprising:

determining, by sensor, closure status of each closure of the motor vehicle;

providing, by computing device, a first indication when at least one of said closures is unlocked;

providing, by a computing device, a second indication when all of said closures are locked but at least one of said closures is not properly closed; and

providing, by computing device, a third indication when all of said closures are locked and closed.