Tailgate illumination

• US 9,849,830 B1
• Filed: 02/01/2017
• Issued: 12/26/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 02/01/2017
• 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, Danowski, Christopher Anthony, Buttolo, Pietro
• Primary Examiner(s): Han, Jason Moon
• Application Number:
  US15/421,971
• Time in Patent Office: 328 Days
• Field of Search: 362485, 362496, 362509-512, 362520-523, 362540-545
• 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 1/307 mounted on loading platforms
• 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 1/44 for indicating braking action or preparation for braking, e.g. by detection of the foot approaching the brake pedal
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 3/30 for compartments other than passenger or driving compartments, e.g. luggage or engine compartments
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 33/0273 Movable tailboards for vehicles comprising non-movable sideboards, e.g. pick-up trucks B62D33/037 takes precedence
• 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: F21V 9/30 Elements containing photoluminescent material distinct from or spaced from the light source shades F21V1/17; globes, bowls or cover glasses F21V3/08, F21V3/12; refractors F21V5/10; reflectors F21V7/26, F21V7/30; elements with provision for controlling the spectral properties or intensity F21V9/40

Abstract

A vehicle tailgate includes a substrate operable between open and closed positions and defining an inboard surface, an outboard surface and a top surface. A light assembly is positioned on the substrate. A first lens is positioned over the inboard surface and the top surface. A second lens is positioned over the top surface and the outboard surface. A plurality of light sources is positioned between the substrate and the first and second lenses.

Claims

1. A vehicle tailgate, comprising:

a substrate operable between open and closed positions of the tailgate defining an inboard surface, an outboard surface and a top surface; and

a light assembly positioned on the substrate, comprising;

a first lens positioned over the inboard surface and the top surface;

a second lens positioned over the top surface and the outboard surface; and

a plurality of light sources positioned between the substrate and the first and second lenses.

2. The vehicle tailgate of claim 1, wherein the inboard surface and the top surface are substantially perpendicular.

3. The vehicle tailgate of claim 1, wherein the outboard surface and the top surface are substantially perpendicular.

4. The vehicle tailgate of claim 1, further comprising:

a photoluminescent structure positioned on at least one of the first and second lenses.

5. The vehicle tailgate of claim 1, further comprising:

a printed circuit board positioned over the outboard and top surfaces.

6. The vehicle tailgate of claim 5, wherein the printed circuit board is bent around the outboard and top surfaces.

7. The vehicle tailgate of claim 6, wherein the light sources are positioned on the printed circuit board.

8. The vehicle tailgate of claim 1, wherein the light assembly is configured to emit light into a cargo space proximate the tailgate when the tailgate is in both the open and closed positions.

9. A vehicle comprising:

a cargo box defining a cargo space;

a tailgate substrate coupled to the cargo box and operable between open and closed positions and defining an inboard, an outboard and a top surface; and

a light assembly comprising a composite of adjacent lenses disposed over the inboard, outboard and top surfaces, wherein the light assembly is configured to emit light into the cargo space when the tailgate is in both the open and closed positions.

10. The vehicle of claim 9, wherein the tailgate defines a recessed area within which the light assembly is positioned.

11. The vehicle of claim 9, wherein the light assembly is positioned over a top surface of the tailgate substrate.

12. The vehicle of claim 9, wherein the light assembly comprises a first lens positioned over the inboard surface and the top surface.

13. The vehicle of claim 12, wherein the light assembly further comprises a second lens positioned over the top surface and the outboard surface.

14. The vehicle of claim 13, wherein the first and third lenses are clear.

15. A vehicle comprising:

a cargo box defining a cargo space; and

a tailgate coupled to the cargo box and operable between open and closed positions, the tailgate comprising;

a substrate defining an inboard surface, an outboard surface and a top surface; and

a light assembly positioned over the substrate including a plurality of lenses extending over the inboard and outboard surfaces, wherein the light assembly is configured to emit light into the cargo space and directly beneath the tailgate when the tailgate is in the open position, wherein a printed circuit board is bent around the outboard and top surfaces.

16. The vehicle of claim 15, wherein a plurality of light sources are positioned between the substrate and the lenses.

17. The vehicle of claim 16, wherein at least one of the lenses is a different color than the other lenses.

18. The vehicle of claim 17, further comprising:

a photoluminescent structure positioned on at least one of the plurality of lenses.