Dual direction light producing assembly

• US 9,776,557 B2
• Filed: 08/18/2015
• Issued: 10/03/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 11/21/2013
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC (Ford Motor Company)
• Original Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC (Ford Motor Company)
• Inventors: Salter, Stuart C., Surman, James J., Dellock, Paul Kenneth, Grudzinski, Gregory James
• Primary Examiner(s): Garlen, Alexander
• Application Number:
  US14/829,006
• Publication Number:
  US 20150353003A1
• Time in Patent Office: 777 Days
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/268 on windscreens or windows B60Q1/302 takes precedence; lighting devices for vehicle interior on or for windows B60Q3/208
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/324 for signalling that a door is open or intended to be opened
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 3/208 Sun roofs; Windows
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 3/68 using ultraviolet light
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 3/80 Circuits; Control arrangements for dashboards B60Q3/16; for mass transit vehicles B60Q3/47
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 9/008 for anti-collision purposes
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 41/16 Laser light sources
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 41/176 Light sources where the light is generated by photoluminescent material spaced from a primary light generating element
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 43/14 Light emitting diodes [LED]
• 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: F21S 43/195 Details of lamp holders, terminals or connectors
• CPC Class Codes: F21Y 2115/10 Light-emitting diodes [LED]
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 47/11 by determining the brightness or colour temperature of ambient light
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 47/115 by determining the presence or movement of objects or living beings
• CPC Class Codes: Y02B 20/40 Control techniques providing energy savings, e.g. smart controller or presence detection

Abstract

A light-producing assembly is provided herein and includes a first portion of LEDs biased to direct light in a first direction, a second portion of LEDs biased to direct light in a second direction that is different than the first direction, and a controller for selectively activating the first and/or second portions of LEDs.

Claims

1. A light-producing assembly comprising:

a first portion of light emitting diodes (LEDs) biased to direct light in a first direction;

a second portion of LEDs biased to direct light in a second direction that is different than the first direction, the first and second portions of LEDs being coupled to and occupying a substantial entirety of a vehicle window, wherein the vehicle window is mounted to a door of a vehicle, and wherein the first portion of LEDs is operable to direct light in an outward-vehicle direction and the second portion of LEDs is operable to direct light in an inward-vehicle direction when the door is in a closed position;

a photoluminescent structure configured to luminesce in response to excitation by light emitted by one of the first and second portions of LEDs; and

a controller for selectively activating the first and/or second portions of LEDs based on a vehicle door position, wherein the controller activates the first portion of LEDs to obscure visibility through the vehicle window when the door is in a closed position and an object is detected proximate the vehicle window.

2. The light-producing assembly of claim 1, wherein the controller activates both the first and second portions of LEDs when the door is in an open position.

3. The light-producing assembly of claim 1, wherein the controller activates the second portion of LEDs to function as a blind spot indicator when the vehicle is in motion and another vehicle is detected proximate thereto.

4. The light-producing assembly of claim 1, wherein the controller activates the first portion of LEDs to function as one of a turn signal, an auxiliary light, and a backup light based on signals received from a vehicle electronic control module.

5. The light-producing assembly of claim 1, further comprising an additional photoluminescent structure configured to luminesce in response to excitation by light emitted by the other one of the first and second portions of LEDs.

6. A light-producing assembly comprising:

a first portion of LEDs biased to direct light in a first direction;

a second portion of LEDs biased to direct light in a second direction that is different than the first direction, the first and second portions of LEDs being coupled to and occupying a substantial entirety of a vehicle window, wherein the vehicle window is mounted to a door of a vehicle, and wherein the first portion of LEDs is operable to direct light in an outward-vehicle direction and the second portion of LEDs is operable to direct light in an inward-vehicle direction when the door is in a closed position; and

a controller for selectively activating the first and/or second portions of LEDs based on a vehicle door position, wherein the controller activates the first portion of LEDs to obscure visibility through the vehicle window when the door is in a closed position and an object is detected proximate the vehicle window.

7. The light-producing assembly of claim 6, wherein the controller activates both the first and second portions of LEDs when the door is in an open position.

8. The light-producing assembly of claim 6, wherein the controller activates the second portion of LEDs to function as a blind spot indicator when the vehicle is in motion and another vehicle is detected proximate thereto.

9. The light-producing assembly of claim 6, wherein the controller activates the first portion of LEDs to function as one of a turn signal, an auxiliary light, and a backup light based on signals received from a vehicle electronic control module.

10. A lighting system of a vehicle, comprising:

a window mounted to a door of the vehicle;

a door sensor for detecting a door position;

a proximity sensor system for detecting objects proximate the window; and

a light-producing assembly coupled to and occupying a substantial entirety of the window and comprising;

a first portion of LEDs biased to direct light in an outward-vehicle direction;

a second portion of LEDs biased to direct light in an inward-vehicle direction; and

a controller for selectively activating the first and/or second portions of LEDs based on the door position, wherein the controller activates the first portion of LEDs to obscure visibility through the window when the door is in a closed position and an object is detected proximate the window.

11. The lighting system of claim 10, wherein the controller activates both the first and second portions of LEDs when the door is in an open position.

12. The lighting system of claim 10, wherein the controller activates the second portion of LEDs to function as a blind spot indicator when the vehicle is in motion and another vehicle is detected proximate thereto.

13. The lighting system of claim 10, wherein the controller activates the first portion of LEDs to function as a turn signal.

14. The lighting system of claim 10, further comprising at least one photoluminescent structure configured to luminesce in response to excitation by light emitted by one of the first and second portion of LEDs.