VEHICLE ROOF RACK SYSTEM

• US 20170334344A1
• Filed: 05/18/2016
• Published: 11/23/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 05/18/2016
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC (Ford Motor Company)
• Original Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC (Ford Motor Company)
• Inventors: Salter, Stuart C., Surman, James J., Buttolo, Pietro, Dellock, Paul Kenneth, Lobo, Harry
• Application Number:
  US15/157,971
• Publication Number:
  US 20170334344A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/2661 mounted on parts having other functions on wheels B60Q1/326
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/509 specific to unauthorised use, e.g. for indicating stolen vehicles or infringements of traffic rules
• 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 2900/30 Lamps commanded by wireless transmissions
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 9/00 Arrangement or adaptation of signal devices not provided for in one of main groups B60Q1/00 - B60Q7/00 , e.g. haptic signalling
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 9/04 Carriers associated with vehicle roof B60R9/08 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G01G 19/12 having electrical weight-sensitive devices
• CPC Class Codes: G01G 23/32 Indicating the weight by optical projection means
• CPC Class Codes: G01G 23/36 Indicating the weight by electrical means, e.g. using photoelectric cells
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 5/36 using visible light sources
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/80 Services using short range communication, e.g. near-field communication [NFC], radio-frequency identification [RFID] or low energy communication
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 84/18 Self-organising networks, e.g. ad-hoc networks or sensor networks

Abstract

A vehicle is provided that includes a body defining a roof. A roof rack is operably coupled to the roof through a plurality of mounting features and configured to support cargo. A load cell is positioned on each of the mounting features and configured to sense a load on the roof rack associated with the cargo. A controller is in communication with the load cells and an electronic device and a light source is positioned proximate each of the mounting features. The light source is configured to emit light based on the load sensed by the load cell.

Claims

1. A vehicle comprising:

a body defining a roof;

a roof rack operably coupled to the roof through a plurality of mounting features and configured to support cargo;

a load cell positioned on each of the mounting features and configured to sense a load on the roof rack associated with the cargo;

a controller in communication with the load cells and an electronic device; and

a light source positioned proximate each of the mounting features, the light source configured to emit light based on the load sensed by the load cell.

2. The vehicle of claim 1, wherein the electronic device is located external to the vehicle.

3. The vehicle of claim 1, wherein the controller is configured to output a signal to the electronic device indicative of the placement of the cargo.

4. The vehicle of claim 3, further comprising:

a display positioned within the vehicle, wherein the controller is configured to output the signal to the display indicative of the placement of the cargo.

5. The vehicle of claim 1, further comprising:

a wireless transceiver positioned within the mounting feature.

6. The vehicle of claim 1, wherein the controller communicates with the electronic device in real time.

7. The vehicle of claim 1, wherein the controller is configured to store information about the electronic device.

8. A vehicle comprising:

a body defining a roof;

a roof rack operably coupled to the roof through a mounting feature and configured to support cargo;

a load cell positioned on the mounting feature and configured to sense a load on the roof rack; and

a controller in communication with the load cell and an electronic device, the controller configured to output a signal to the electronic device indicative of the load placement of the cargo.

9. The vehicle of claim 8, wherein the electronic device is positioned external to the vehicle.

10. The vehicle of claim 9, wherein the controller is in communication with an accelerometer within the electronic device.

11. The vehicle of claim 8, wherein the controller is configured to communicate cargo placement suggestions to the electronic device.

12. The vehicle of claim 8, wherein the controller is configured to communicate cargo loading instructions to the electronic device.

13. The vehicle of claim 8, wherein the controller is in electrical communication with at least one of an automatic brake sensor, a steering wheel angle sensor and a vehicle accelerometer.

14. The vehicle of claim 8, further comprising:

a light source in communication with the load cell and configured to emit light indicative of the loading of the load cell.

15. A vehicle comprising:

a body defining a roof;

a roof rack operably coupled to the roof through a plurality of mounting features and configured to support cargo;

a load cell positioned on the mounting feature and configured to sense a load on the roof rack; and

a light source positioned proximate each of the mounting features, the light source configured to emit light based on a load sensed by the load cell.

16. The vehicle of claim 15, wherein the light source comprises a red-green-blue light emitting diode.

17. The vehicle of claim 16, wherein the light source is configured to be turned off after a predefined condition occurs.

18. The vehicle of claim 17, further comprising:

a controller in communication with the load cell and an electronic device, the controller configured to output a signal to the electronic device indicative of the placement of the cargo.

19. The vehicle of claim 18, wherein the electronic device is a mobile communication device.

20. The vehicle of claim 19, wherein communication of the electronic device is performed using a Bluetooth low energy transceiver disposed within the mounting feature.