Overhead console active night vision system for an interior cabin of a vehicle

• US 6,795,237 B1
• Filed: 06/02/2003
• Issued: 09/21/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 06/02/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: International Automotive Components Group North America (Lear Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Ford Motor Company, Lear Corporation
• Inventors: Marinelli, Michael A., Zlamal, Radek
• Primary Examiner(s): SIKDER, MOHAMMAD YUNUS
• Application Number:
  US10/250,071
• Time in Patent Office: 477 Days
• Field of Search: 359/353-354, 359/356-359, 359/619, 359/625, 359/627-628, 359/726, 359/742, 307/101.1, 340/435
• US Class Current: 359/353
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 23/12 with means for image conversion or intensification

Abstract

An illuminator system (16) for an interior cabin (12) of a vehicle (14) includes a light source (72) and a beam-forming optic (100) that is optically coupled to the light source. The optic (100) forms an illumination pattern (22) that is directed forward of the vehicle (14). A housing (58) supports the beam-forming optic (100) along a roofline (47) and window perimeter (48) of the vehicle (14).

Claims

1. An illuminator system for an interior cabin of a vehicle comprising:

at least one illuminator assembly comprising;

a light source;

a beam-forming optic optically coupled to said light source for forming an illumination pattern directed outside of the vehicle; and

a housing supporting said beam-forming optic along a roofline and window perimeter of the vehicle;

said illuminator assembly controlling operating temperature of said light source.

2. An assembly as in claim 1 further comprising a light coupler guiding light generated by said light source between said light source and said beam-forming optic.

3. A system as in claim 1 further comprising at least one heat sink in thermal communication with said light source.

4. A system as in claim 3 further comprising:

an air conduit in fluid communication with said at least one heat sink; and

a cooling fan in fluid communication with said air conduit and

circulating air across said at least one heat sink.

5. A system as in claim 3 further comprising a thermal coupler in thermal communication with and aiding in thermal energy transfer between said light source and said at least one heat sink.

6. A system as in claim 1 further comprising a power supply energizing said light source.

7. A system as in claim 6 wherein said power supply comprises at least one heat sink.

8. A system as in claim 7 further comprising:

an air conduit in fluid communication with said power supply; and

a cooling fan in fluid communication with said air conduit.

9. A system as in claim 1 further comprising a focal point adjuster for adjusting a focal point of said illumination pattern.

10. A system as in claim 1 further comprising a component alignment-maintaining module for maintaining alignment of said light source with said beam-forming optic.

11. A system as in claim 1 further comprising a light shroud coupled between the illuminator assembly and a window of the vehicle.

12. A system as in claim 11 further comprising a light seal coupled between said light shroud and said window.

13. A system as in claim 1 further comprising a diffuser for diffusing light generated from said light source.

14. A system as in claim 1 further comprising an alignment-mechanism coupled to said housing and aligning said illumination pattern.

15. A system as in claim 14 wherein said alignment-mechanism couples said housing to a roof structure of the vehicle.

16. A system as in claim 1 further comprising an overhead console bracket coupling said housing to a roof structure of the vehicle.

17. A system as in claim 1 further comprising:

a temperature sensor sensing temperature of said light source and

generating a temperature signal; and

a heater for increasing the temperature of said light source in response to said temperature signal.

18. A system as in claim 17 further comprising a controller coupled to said temperature sensor and to said heater and adjusting the temperature of said light source in response to said temperature signal.

19. A system as in claim 18 wherein said controller is an integral part of a power supply.

20. A system as in claim 1 wherein said light source is a near infrared light source.

21. A system as in claim 1 wherein said light source is a diode laser.

22. A system as in claim 1 wherein said beam-forming optic is a collimating optic.

23. A system as in claim 1 wherein said housing directs said illumination beam through a wiper-zone of the vehicle.

24. A system as in claim 1 configured to be mounted in close proximity to a receiver.

25. An illuminator system for an interior cabin of a vehicle comprising:

a light source;

a beam-forming optic optically coupled to said light source for forming an illumination pattern directed outside of the vehicle;

a housing supporting at least a portion of said light source and said beam-forming optic along a roofline of the vehicle to transmit said illumination beam through a window of the vehicle;

a power supply coupled to and energizing said night vision illuminator; and

at least one heat sink in thermal communication with said light source and said power supply; and

an illuminator assembly providing a temperature controlled operating environment for said light source.