LUMINESCENT VEHICLE MOLDING

• US 20160258591A1
• Filed: 01/26/2016
• Published: 09/08/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 03/06/2015
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC (Ford Motor Company)
• Original Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC (Ford Motor Company)
• Inventors: Maciuca, Dragos, Salter, Stuart C., Surman, James J., Dellock, Paul Kenneth, Walawender, Chester Stanislaus
• Application Number:
  US15/006,648
• Publication Number:
  US 20160258591A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/0035 relative to the vehicle
• 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 1/324 for signalling that a door is open or intended to be opened
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/381 with several light sources activated in sequence, e.g. to create a sweep effect
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/44 for indicating braking action or preparation for braking, e.g. by detection of the foot approaching the brake pedal
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/46 for giving flashing caution signals during drive, other than signalling change of direction, e.g. flashing the headlights or hazard lights
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/507 specific to autonomous vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/543 for indicating other states or conditions of the vehicle indicating taxis' state of hire or fare G07B13/045
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 2400/20 Multi-color single source or LED matrix, e.g. yellow blinker and red brake lamp generated by single lamp
• 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: F21S 41/176 Light sources where the light is generated by photoluminescent material spaced from a primary light generating element
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 43/16 Light sources where the light is generated by photoluminescent material spaced from a primary light generating element
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 43/237 rod-shaped
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 43/245 emitting light from one or more of its major surfaces
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 43/249 with two or more light sources being coupled into the light guide
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 47/11 by determining the brightness or colour temperature of ambient light
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 47/115 by determining the presence or movement of objects or living beings
• CPC Class Codes: Y02B 20/40 Control techniques providing energy savings, e.g. smart controller or presence detection

Abstract

A lighting apparatus for a vehicle is disclosed. The lighting apparatus comprises a cover portion mounted to a body panel and forming an opening extending along a perimeter of the body panel. The apparatus further comprises at least one light source disposed within the opening and configured to emit light outward through the opening. A reflective portion is disposed proximate the opening. The light is projected from the reflective portion to illuminate a region proximate the vehicle.

Claims

1. A lighting apparatus for a vehicle, comprising:

a cover portion mounted to a body panel and forming an opening extending along a perimeter of the body panel;

at least one light source disposed within the opening and configured to emit light outward through the opening; and

a reflective portion disposed proximate the opening, wherein the light is projected from the reflective portion to illuminate a region proximate the vehicle.

2. The lighting apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the cover portion corresponds to a molding portion.

3. The lighting apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the molding portion comprises a carrier disposed between the cover portion and the body panel, the carrier having an exposed portion configured to luminesce in response to the light from the light source.

4. The lighting apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the molding portion extends substantially around a perimeter of the vehicle illuminating the region.

5. The lighting apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the reflective portion corresponds to a reflective strip extending substantially coextensive to the cover portion.

6. The lighting apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the reflective portion corresponds to a layer of reflective material disposed on a surface of the panel.

7. The lighting apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the reflective material corresponds to a reflective paint disposed on the panel configured to reflect the light to illuminate the region proximate the vehicle.

8. A monitoring system for a vehicle, comprising:

a lighting apparatus comprising;

a cover portion proximate a perimeter of a body panel; and

a light source concealed by the cover portion and configured to output an emission; and

an imaging device configured to capture a field of view; and

a controller in communication with the imaging device and the light source, wherein the controller is configured to;

receive image data from the imaging device; and

control the light source to illuminate a region proximate the vehicle with the emission, the region corresponding to the field of view.

9. The monitoring system according to claim 8, wherein the imaging device corresponds to a plurality of imaging devices configured to capture the image data corresponding to a panoramic scene extending at least 180 degrees around the vehicle.

10. The monitoring system according to claim 9, wherein the light source corresponds to a plurality of light sources extending around a belt-line of the vehicle.

11. The monitoring system according to claim 10, wherein the controller is configured to selectively activate a portion of the light sources corresponding to one or more of the fields of view of the imaging devices.

12. The monitoring system according to claim 8, further comprising a reflective portion disposed on the body panel proximate the cover portion.

13. The monitoring system according to claim 12, wherein the emission is projected from the reflective portion to illuminate the region proximate the vehicle.

14. The monitoring system according to claim 8, wherein the cover portion forms an opening extending along the perimeter of the body panel and the light source is configured to output the emission through the opening.

15. The monitoring system according to claim 8, further comprising

a carrier disposed between the cover portion and the body panel, the carrier having an exposed portion configured to luminesce in response to the emission from the light source.

16. A lighting system of a vehicle configured to illuminate a field of view of an imaging system comprising:

a cover portion at least partially covering a seam of a body panel of the vehicle;

a carrier disposed between the cover portion and the body panel, the carrier having an exposed portion configured to luminesce in response to a light excitation; and

at least one light source configured to emit light for exciting the exposed portion.

17. The molding according to claim 16, wherein the carrier is arranged as an optical waveguide and is injection molded to the molding.

18. The molding according to claim 16, wherein the at least one light source is disposed on a flex circuit snapably engaged to the carrier.

19. The molding according to claim 16, wherein the body panel corresponds to a plurality of body panels comprising at least a side panel and a rear panel and the molding extends along the plurality of body panels.

20. The molding according to claim 16, wherein the at least one light source comprises a plurality of light source configured to selectively illuminate a portion of a region proximate to and extending around the vehicle.