Vehicle illumination system

• US 9,751,458 B1
• Filed: 02/26/2016
• Issued: 09/05/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 02/26/2016
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC (Ford Motor Company)
• Original Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC (Ford Motor Company)
• Inventors: Dellock, Paul Kenneth, Musleh, Michael, Salter, Stuart C., Glickman, David Brian, Surman, James J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Philogene, Haissa
• Application Number:
  US15/054,324
• Publication Number:
  US 20170246985A1
• Time in Patent Office: 557 Days
• Field of Search: 362231, 362234, 362485, 362487, 362510, 362511, 315149, 315158, 315294, 315307, 315312
• 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 1/2661 mounted on parts having other functions on wheels B60Q1/326
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/2696 Mounting of devices using LEDs
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/302 mounted in the vicinity, e.g. in the middle, of a rear window
• 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 2900/30 Lamps commanded by wireless transmissions
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 43/14 Light emitting diodes [LED]

Abstract

An illumination system for a vehicle is provided that includes a vehicle having a rear spoiler, a light assembly located on an underside of the spoiler, a sensor for sensing a location of a person proximate to the spoiler, and a controller for controlling the light assembly to illuminate an area proximate the rear of the vehicle when a person is detected proximate to the spoiler.

Claims

1. An illumination system for a vehicle, comprising:

a vehicle having a rear spoiler;

a light assembly located on the spoiler;

a sensor for sensing a location of a person near the spoiler; and

a controller for controlling the light assembly to illuminate an area proximate the rear of the vehicle when the person is detected proximate to the spoiler, wherein the light assembly illuminates a trailer hitch proximate a rear of the vehicle.

2. The illumination system of claim 1, wherein the sensor comprises one or more wireless communication transceivers for detecting an electronic device in the possession of the person and determining a location of the electronic device.

3. The illumination system of claim 2, wherein a controller associated with the wireless communication transceiver is configured to store information about the electronic device.

4. The illumination system of claim 1, wherein the light assembly illuminates a ground below the vehicle.

5. The illumination system of claim 1, further comprising:

at least one photoluminescent structure disposed on the spoiler.

6. The illumination system of claim 1, wherein the controller is configured to increase an intensity of the light assembly after the person is detected proximate the spoiler for a predetermined amount of time.

7. The illumination system of claim 1, wherein the light assembly is configured to illuminate different areas based on the location of the person.

8. An illumination system for a vehicle, comprising:

a vehicle having a body feature;

a light assembly positioned on the body feature; and

one or more wireless communication transceivers disposed within the light assembly for detecting an electronic device proximate the body feature, wherein the one or more wireless communication transceivers cooperate with other wireless communication transceivers on the vehicle to detect a location of the electronic device.

9. The illumination system of claim 8, wherein the one or more wireless communication transceivers are standalone from other vehicle modules.

10. The illumination system of claim 8, further comprising:

a photoluminescent structure disposed on the body proximate the light assembly.

11. The illumination system of claim 10, wherein the light assembly is configured to emit light at a first wavelength and the photoluminescent structure is configured to convert the first wavelength to at least a second wavelength longer than the first wavelength.

12. The illumination system of claim 8, wherein the one or more wireless communication transceivers control activation of the light assembly.

13. A method of illuminating a vehicle comprising:

arranging a light assembly on a body feature of the vehicle;

detecting an electronic device proximate the light assembly; and

activating the light assembly to emit light based on a detected location of the electronic device.

14. The method of claim 13, further comprising the step:

altering an intensity of the light assembly after the electronic device is detected proximate the vehicle for a predetermined period of time.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein the electronic device is a mobile communication device.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein detection of the electronic device is performed using a Bluetooth low energy detector disposed within the light assembly.

17. The method of claim 16, further comprising the step:

altering a direction of the light based on the location of the electronic device.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein the light assembly comprises a printed light emitting diode.