Interior side marker

• US 9,758,090 B1
• Filed: 03/03/2017
• Issued: 09/12/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 03/03/2017
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC (Ford Motor Company)
• Original Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC (Ford Motor Company)
• Inventors: Salter, Stuart C., Dellock, Paul Kenneth, Musleh, Michael A., Gardner, Cornel Lewis
• Primary Examiner(s): Han, Jason Moon
• Application Number:
  US15/449,267
• Time in Patent Office: 193 Days
• Field of Search: 362487-488, 362509-510
• 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 1/324 for signalling that a door is open or intended to be opened
• 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 3/233 Seats; Arm rests; Head rests
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 3/54 Lighting devices embedded in interior trim, e.g. in roof liners
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 1/1207 with lamps; with turn indicators
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 3/08 the material comprising photoluminescent substances
• CPC Class Codes: F21W 2102/40 the light being emitted to facilitate access to the vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: F21W 2106/00 Interior vehicle lighting devices

Abstract

A vehicle includes a seat assembly having a seatback and a seat base. A side marker is positioned on the seat base. A light assembly is configured to emit light toward the side marker. The side marker emits light to an exterior of the vehicle when the vehicle is in a doors off configuration.

Claims

1. An illumination system for a vehicle, comprising:

a seat assembly comprising a seatback and a seat base;

a side marker positioned on the seat base; and

a light assembly separately disposed from the side marker and configured to emit light toward the side marker, wherein the side marker emits light to an exterior of the vehicle when the vehicle is in a doors off configuration.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the side marker comprises a photoluminescent structure configured to be excited by the light from the light assembly.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the light assembly comprises a printed light source.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the light assembly is positioned between the side marker and the seat base.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the light assembly is positioned on a side mirror.

6. The system of claim 5, wherein the side mirror is positioned on an A-pillar.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein the side marker is positioned on an outboard surface of the seat assembly.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein the side marker emits light into a foot well of the vehicle.

9. The system of claim 1, further comprising:

an auxiliary side marker positioned on a door sill.

10. The system of claim 9, wherein the side marker is configured to emit light onto the auxiliary side marker.

11. The system of claim 1, wherein the photoluminescent structures comprises a phosphorescent material.

12. The system of claim 1, wherein the side marker is configured to emit light onto a door of the vehicle when the vehicle is in a doors on configuration.

13. A vehicle, comprising:

a seat assembly comprising a seatback and a seat base; and

a side marker positioned on the seat base comprising;

a light assembly; and

a photoluminescent structure positioned on the light assembly, wherein the photoluminescent structure is configured to emit light into a foot well of the vehicle, further wherein the side marker is configured to charge a door indicator on a vehicle door.

14. The system of claim 13, wherein the side marker emits light to an exterior of the vehicle when the vehicle is in a doors off configuration.

15. The system of claim 13, wherein the light assembly comprises a printed light source.

16. The system of claim 15, wherein the light assembly is positioned between the side marker and the seat base.

17. A method of operating a vehicle, comprising:

removing a door of a vehicle such that the vehicle is in a doors off configuration;

charging a photoluminescent structure within a side marker positioned on a seat assembly from a separately disposed light assembly on the vehicle; and

emitting light from the side marker toward an exterior of the vehicle.

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

emitting light from the side marker into a foot well of the vehicle.

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

emitting a puddle lamp onto a ground beneath the vehicle from the side marker.