Vehicle lighting assembly

• US 9,896,020 B2
• Filed: 05/23/2016
• Issued: 02/20/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 05/23/2016
• 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, Johnston, Marla, Salter, Stuart C., Danowski, Christopher Anthony, Rogers, Jason C., Buttolo, Pietro
• Primary Examiner(s): HAN, JASON
• Application Number:
  US15/161,635
• Publication Number:
  US 20170334336A1
• Time in Patent Office: 638 Days
• Field of Search: 362478, 362487, 362496-499, 362505, 362509-510, 362540-545
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/0023 the element being a sensor, e.g. distance sensor, camera
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/0035 relative to the vehicle
• 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 1/381 with several light sources activated in sequence, e.g. to create a sweep effect
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/46 for giving flashing caution signals during drive, other than signalling change of direction, e.g. flashing the headlights or hazard lights
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/5037 the display content changing automatically, e.g. depending on traffic situation
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/52 for indicating emergencies
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/525 automatically indicating risk of collision between vehicles in traffic or with pedestrians, e.g. after risk assessment using the vehicle sensor data
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/54 for indicating speed outside of the vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 2400/10 Electro- or photo- luminescent surfaces, e.g. signalling by way of electroluminescent strips or panels
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 2900/40 Several lamps activated in sequence, e.g. sweep effect, progressive activation
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 1/22 for viewing an area outside the vehicle, e.g. the exterior of the vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2300/105 using multiple cameras
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2300/303 using joined images, e.g. multiple camera images
• 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 43/33 characterised by their material, surface treatment or coatings
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 45/50 Waterproofing
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 23/02 the elements being transformers, impedances or power supply units, e.g. a transformer with a rectifier
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 9/08 for producing coloured light, e.g. monochromatic; for reducing intensity of light with provision for controlling the colour F21V9/40
• 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
• CPC Class Codes: F21Y 2101/00 : Point-like light sources
• CPC Class Codes: G06V 20/56 : exterior to a vehicle by using sensors mounted on the vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 45/20 : Controlling the colour of the light
• 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: H05B 47/125 : by using cameras
• CPC Class Codes: Y02B 20/40 : Control techniques providing energy savings, e.g. smart controller or presence detection

Abstract

A lighting assembly for a vehicle is provided herein. The lighting assembly includes first and second sets of light sources disposed on a bumper of the vehicle. A photoluminescent structure is disposed on the lighting assembly and configured to luminesce in response to excitation by the first or second sets of light sources. A detection system is configured to detect an object disposed proximately to the vehicle. The first or second set of light sources illuminate upon the detection of the object.

Claims

1. A vehicle, comprising:

a lighting assembly including first and second sets of light sources disposed on a bumper of the vehicle, the first or second set of light sources configured to excite a photoluminescent structure disposed on the lighting assembly;

a detection system configured to detect an object proximate the vehicle; and

a controller that selectively activates the first set and second set of light sources in various geometric patterns upon detection of the object.

2. The vehicle of claim 1, wherein the detection system includes a plurality of cameras configured to monitor one or more blind spots disposed around the vehicle.

3. The vehicle of claim 1, wherein the first set of light sources emit a first excitation light of a first wavelength and the second set of light sources emit a second excitation light of a second wavelength.

4. The vehicle of claim 1, wherein the first and second sets of light sources include LED sources dispersed in a printed LED arrangement.

5. The vehicle of claim 1, wherein the photoluminescent structure includes at least one photoluminescent material therein configured to convert an excitation light received from at least one of the first and second sets of light sources into a visible converted light.

6. The vehicle of claim 1, wherein the lighting assembly illuminates a corresponding area proximate to the vehicle when the detection system detects an object proximately disposed to the vehicle and a vehicle transmission is in gear.

7. The vehicle of claim 3, wherein the lighting assembly illuminates in a first color when the vehicle is above a threshold speed and a second color when the vehicle slows to below the threshold speed.

8. A lighting assembly, comprising:

a light-producing assembly on a vehicle bumper having a first, a second, and a third set of light sources therein; and

a photoluminescent structure disposed on the light-producing assembly and configured to luminesce in response to excitation by the first, the second, and the third set of light sources of the light-producing assembly, wherein each respective set of light sources independently illuminates based on a pre-defined sensor event, wherein the first, the second, and the third set of light sources each independently illuminate in pre-defined geometric shapes to alert an approaching vehicle of a vehicle state.

9. The lighting assembly for a vehicle panel of claim 8, further comprising a controller for selectively activating one or more light sources disposed within the light-producing assembly.

10. The lighting assembly for a vehicle panel of claim 8, wherein the light-producing assembly includes LED sources dispersed in a printed LED arrangement.

11. The lighting assembly for a vehicle panel of claim 10, further comprising:

a detection system disposed on a vehicle, wherein the first set of light sources is illuminated when the detection system fails to detect an object within a sensor'"'"'s field of view and the second set of light sources is illuminated when an object is detected within the sensor'"'"'s field of view.

12. The lighting assembly for a vehicle panel of claim 8, wherein the photoluminescent structure includes at least one photoluminescent material configured to perform an energy conversion on an excitation light received from at least a portion of the light-producing assembly into a visible, converted light.

13. A vehicle lighting assembly, comprising:

first and second light sources disposed on a bumper and configured to excite a photoluminescent structure disposed thereon;

a detection system including a sensor configured to detect an object proximate to a vehicle; and

a controller operably coupled with the first and second light sources and the detection system, the controller configured to illuminate the first and second light sources in various geometric patterns upon detection of the object.

14. The vehicle lighting assembly of claim 13, wherein the first and second light sources include LED sources dispersed in a printed LED arrangement that are each configured to emit an excitation light.

15. The vehicle lighting assembly of claim 13, wherein the sensor is a short-range sensor.

16. The vehicle lighting assembly of claim 13, wherein the detection system includes a front long-range sensor, a rear long-range sensor, and a plurality of short range sensors disposed around an exterior portion of the vehicle.

17. The vehicle lighting assembly of claim 13, wherein the sensor is a long-range sensor.

18. The vehicle lighting assembly of claim 13, wherein the detection system further includes a camera operably coupled with the controller.

19. The vehicle lighting assembly of claim 18, further comprising:

a video interface within the vehicle that is configured to show images from the camera, wherein the interface highlights an image if the sensor detects an object within a field of view of the camera.