Vehicle light system

• US 9,604,568 B1
• Filed: 09/01/2016
• Issued: 03/28/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 09/01/2016
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC (Ford Motor Company)
• Original Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC (Ford Motor Company)
• Inventors: Danowski, Christopher Anthony, Salter, Stuart C., Surman, James J., Dellock, Paul Kenneth, Buttolo, Pietro
• Primary Examiner(s): Han, Jason Moon
• Application Number:
  US15/254,543
• Time in Patent Office: 208 Days
• Field of Search: 362/485, 362/487, 362/497, 362/501, 362509-510
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/22 for reverse drive
• 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 1/2619 built in the vehicle body
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/302 mounted in the vicinity, e.g. in the middle, of a rear window
• 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 1/56 for illuminating registrations or the like , e.g. for licence plates
• 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 2400/50 Projected symbol or information, e.g. onto the road or car body
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 2900/30 Lamps commanded by wireless transmissions
• 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: F21W 2103/60 Projection of signs from lighting devices, e.g. symbols or information being projected onto the road

Abstract

A vehicle having a trim housing disposed on the vehicle and partially concealing a latch is provided herein. A light projector is disposed within the trim housing and is configured to illuminate a lighted image pattern on a surface of the vehicle. The image pattern is configured to provide assistance in locating a switch.

Claims

1. A vehicle comprising:

a trim housing disposed on a liftgate of the vehicle and at least partially concealing a latch; and

a light projector disposed within the trim housing and configured to illuminate a lighted image pattern separate from the trim housing on a surface of the vehicle, wherein the image pattern is configured to provide assistance in locating the latch.

2. The vehicle of claim 1, wherein the image pattern is formed from an image filter.

3. The vehicle of claim 1, wherein the image pattern is defined by a photoluminescent structure that includes at least one photoluminescent material therein that is configured to convert an excitation light received from at least a portion of a light source into a visible, converted light.

4. The vehicle of claim 1, wherein the image pattern is an arrow that is pointed towards a vehicle switch.

5. The vehicle of claim 1, wherein the latch is configured to release the tailgate such that the tailgate may be moved between a plurality of positions.

6. The vehicle claim 1, further comprising:

a controller for controlling an activation state of the light projector in response to one or more inputs.

7. A vehicle light system comprising:

a trim housing on a rear portion of a vehicle;

an actuable vehicle feature and a first light source disposed within the housing;

a membrane disposed over the vehicle feature and the first light source, wherein the first light source illuminates an image pattern separately disposed on the rear portion of the vehicle to assist in locating the vehicle feature.

8. The vehicle light system of claim 7, wherein the membrane further includes an image filter therein that outputs the image pattern onto a surface of the vehicle.

9. The vehicle light system of claim 8, further comprising:

a photoluminescent structure within the image filter and configured to luminesce in response to receiving excitation light emitted by the first light source.

10. The vehicle light system of claim 7, further comprising:

a second light source configured to illuminate a second vehicle feature.

11. The vehicle light system of claim 10, further comprising:

a third light source configured to illuminate a portion of the ground proximate to the vehicle.

12. The vehicle light system of claim 7, further comprising:

a photoluminescent structure disposed on a surface of the vehicle and configured to luminesce in response to receiving excitation light that is emitted form the first light source.

13. The vehicle light system of claim 7, wherein the first light source is illuminated as an occupant approaches the vehicle.

14. The vehicle light system of claim 7, wherein the first light source emits one of a blue light, violet light, IR light, or a UV light.

15. A light system for a vehicle comprising:

a housing attached to a vehicle structure on a rear portion of the vehicle;

a light source disposed within the housing and configured to generate an image pattern outside of the housing; and

a vehicle feature disposed within and partially concealed by the housing, wherein the image pattern notifies a user of the vehicle feature location.

16. The light system of claim 15, wherein the vehicle feature is a latch that is operably coupled with a latch mechanism for releasing a door of the vehicle.

17. The light system of claim 15, wherein the vehicle feature is a button that is operably coupled within a locking system of the vehicle.

18. The light system of claim 15, wherein the light source emits excitation light causing a photoluminescent structure to luminesce in response to receiving the excitation light, the photoluminescent structure disposed on the vehicle structure.

19. The light system of claim 15, further comprising:

a controller operably coupled with the light source for controlling an activation state of the light source in response to receiving an input from a key fob.

20. The light system of claim 15, further comprising:

a controller operably coupled with the light source and an electronic device for controlling an activation state of the light source when the electronic device is disposed proximately to the vehicle.