Lighting system arranged in vehicle door

• US 8,876,343 B2
• Filed: 02/15/2011
• Issued: 11/04/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 03/30/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC (Ford Motor Company)
• Original Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC (Ford Motor Company)
• Inventors: Murray, Andrew John, Gerhardt, Torsten, Harding, John K., Farrelly, Will
• Primary Examiner(s): Owens, Douglas W
• Assistant Examiner(s): PHAM, THAI N
• Application Number:
  US13/027,630
• Publication Number:
  US 20110241544A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,358 Days
• Field of Search: 315/77, 315/80, 315/84, 362/488, 362/501, 362/545, 362/800, 362/802
• US Class Current: 362/501
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/247 for illuminating the close surroundings of the vehicle, e.g. to facilitate entry or exit for reverse drive B60Q1/22; by opening a side door B60Q1/323
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/323 on or for doors illuminated exterior door handles B60Q1/2669; illuminated door locks E05B17/10
• 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: B60Q 2500/30 Arrangements for illuminating different zones in the vehicle, e.g. front/rear, different seats
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 3/217 Doors, e.g. door sills; Steps
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 3/80 Circuits; Control arrangements for dashboards B60Q3/16; for mass transit vehicles B60Q3/47
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 362/80 Light emitting diode
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 362/802 Position or condition responsive switch

Abstract

A lighting system for a motor vehicle 1 is disclosed in which a light source 4a, 4b, 4c, 4d is fitted to the inside of each door 2L, 2R, 3L, 3R so as to selectively provide interior lighting when the respective door 2L, 2R, 3L, 3R is closed and puddle lighting when it is open. Each of the light sources 4a, 4b, 4c, 4d is mounted close to a waistline of the door 2L, 2R, 3L, 3R to which it is attached and is arranged to project light in a downward direction so as not to provide a distraction for a driver of the motor vehicle 1.

Claims

1. A lighting system for a motor vehicle comprising an elongate light source arranged substantially horizontally within a recess along a door, below a waistline of a door of the motor vehicle, on an interior side of the door;

wherein, when the door is in a closed position, light is directed from the light source when required in a downward direction to illuminate part of an interior of the motor vehicle, and when the door is in an open position, light is directed from the light source in a downward direction to illuminate the ground adjacent the motor vehicle;

wherein the recess functions as a light guide channel and has an outer wall that forms a shade to prevent light generated by the light source from being directed in an upward direction;

wherein the door includes an inner door casing, and the light source is mounted in the recess formed by the inner door casing;

wherein the light source is mounted near to the waistline of the door;

wherein the light source is mounted between a sill portion of the inner door casing and an armrest portion of the inner door casing; and

wherein the inner door casing has an aperture into which is fitted a light housing, and the light source is mounted in the light housing.

2. The system as claimed in claim 1 further comprising a sensor to sense whether the door is open or closed and the light source is automatically illuminated whenever the door is sensed to be open.

3. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the light source is comprised of a number of discrete lamps arranged in one or more rows substantially horizontally along the door.

4. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the light source is an array of LEDs.

5. The system as claimed in claim 4, wherein the array of LEDs includes LEDs of differing color so that the color of the light emitted by the light source can be changed.

6. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the system further comprises at least one human machine interface to control operation of the light source.

7. The system as claimed in claim 5 wherein at least one human machine interface is operable by a user of the motor vehicle to change the color of the light emitted from the light source.

8. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the light source is operable at More than one intensity.

9. The system as claimed in claim 8, wherein the light source is operable at least at a high intensity and a low intensity.

10. The system as claimed in claim 9, wherein the light source is operated at a high intensity when the door is opened to illunminate the ground in the vicinity of the door opening.

11. The system as claimed in claim 8, wherein a human machine interface is operable to control the illumination state of the light source when the door is closed.

12. The system as claimed in claim 11, wherein the illumination state includes whether the light source is switched on or off.

13. A motor vehicle comprising:

a door; and

light sources arranged in a recess in an inner door casing of the door;

wherein when the door is in a closed position, light is directed from the light sources in a downward direction to illuminate an interior of the motor vehicle, and when the door is in an opened position, light is directed from the light sources in a downward direction to illuminate ground adjacent the vehicle;

wherein the light sources are mounted near to the waistline of the door;

wherein the light sources are mounted between a sill portion of the inner door casing and an armrest portion of the inner door casing; and

wherein the inner door casing has an aperture into which is fitted a light housing, and the light sources are mounted in the light housing.

14. The motor vehicle as claimed in claim 13, wherein the vehicle includes a number of passenger doors to permit ingress and egress from the motor vehicle and each passenger door includes a light source fitted to the inner side of the door and at least one human machine interface is provided to control the operation of the light sources.

15. The motor vehicle as claimed in claim 13, wherein the light source is arranged below a waistline of the door.

16. The motor vehicle as claimed in claim 13, wherein the light sources extend in one or more rows and are arranged substantially horizontal within the recess, and wherein the recess functions as a light guide channel and has an outer wall that forms a shade to prevent light generated by the light sources from being directed in an upward direction.