Vehicle proximity indicator

• US 9,937,859 B2
• Filed: 01/13/2016
• Issued: 04/10/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 01/13/2016
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC (Ford Motor Company)
• Original Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC (Ford Motor Company)
• Inventors: Navarro Zavala, Carlos Gerardo, Romero Sanchez, Jorge
• Primary Examiner(s): Wang, Jack K
• Application Number:
  US14/994,413
• Publication Number:
  US 20170197550A1
• Time in Patent Office: 818 Days
• Field of Search: 340435
• CPC Class Codes: B60J 1/00 Windows; Windscreens; Accessories therefor B60J10/00 takes precedence; air curtains instead of windows B60J9/04 ; sealing strips for windshields B60J10/70; sealing sash guides for sliding window panes B60J10/74; glass partitions inside vehicles to protect occupants against personal attack B60R21/12
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/302 mounted in the vicinity, e.g. in the middle, of a rear window
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/48 for parking purposes
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 2400/50 Projected symbol or information, e.g. onto the road or car body
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 9/002 for parking purposes, e.g. for warning the driver that his vehicle has contacted or is about to contact an obstacle warning arrangements in garages E04H6/42
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 9/008 for anti-collision purposes

Abstract

Embodiments include a vehicle comprising an end facing an external object, at least one vehicle light positioned adjacent to the end and projecting a light pattern onto the object, a window adjacent to the end, and at least one proximity indicator coupled to the window at a predetermined position corresponding to an expected location of the light pattern on the object when the end is located a predetermined distance from the object. The proximity indicator can be removably adhered to the window. The light pattern can be visible through the window from a vehicle interior. In some embodiments, the object is positioned adjacent to a rear end of the vehicle and the at least one vehicle light is a rear vehicle light. In other embodiments, the object is positioned adjacent to a front end of the vehicle and the at least one vehicle light is a front vehicle light.

Claims

1. A vehicle comprising:

an end to face an external object;

at least one vehicle light positioned adjacent to the end for projecting a light pattern onto the object;

a window adjacent to the end; and

at least one proximity indicator coupled to the window at a predetermined position, the at least one proximity indicator is to align with the light pattern on the object when the end is located a predetermined distance from the object.

2. The vehicle of claim 1, wherein the light pattern moves along the object and relative to the at least one proximity indicator on the window as the end of the vehicle travels towards the object from a first distance to the predetermined distance.

3. The vehicle of claim 2, wherein the light pattern includes two light beams configured to move apart horizontally as the end of the vehicle travels towards the object from the first distance.

4. The vehicle of claim 3, wherein the two light beams are to be spaced apart by an expected horizontal distance when the end of the vehicle is located at the predetermined distance from the object, the at least one proximity indicator includes a first proximity indicator coupled to the window at a first position and a second proximity indicator coupled to the window.

5. The vehicle of claim 4, wherein the first proximity indicator aligns with a first of the two light beams and the second proximity indicator sensor aligns with a second of the two light beams when the end of the vehicle is located at the predetermined distance from the object.

6. The vehicle of claim 2, wherein the light pattern includes at least one light beam configured to move down vertically along the object as the end of the vehicle travels towards the object.

7. The vehicle of claim 6, wherein the at least one light beam is to be positioned on the object at an expected vertical height when the end of the vehicle is located at the predetermined distance from the object such that the at least one proximity indicator aligns with the at least one light beam when the at least one light beam is at the expected vertical height.

8. The vehicle of claim 1, wherein the end includes at least one of a front end of the vehicle and a rear end of the vehicle.

9. The vehicle of claim 1, wherein the at least one vehicle light is selected from at least one of front vehicle lights and rear vehicle lights included in the vehicle.

10. The vehicle of claim 1, wherein the at least one proximity indicator is aligned with at least one of a defroster line and located on the window and a third brake light.

11. The vehicle of claim 1, wherein the at least one proximity indicator is integrated into the window.

12. The vehicle of claim 1, wherein the light pattern is visible through the window from an interior of the vehicle.

13. The vehicle of claim 1, wherein the proximity indicator coupled to the window does not emit light.

14. The vehicle of claim 1, wherein, from a viewpoint of a driver, the light pattern is located within the proximity indicator when the end is located a predetermined distance from the object.

15. The vehicle of claim 1, wherein the at least one proximity indicator includes a first indicator that aligns with the light pattern on the object when the end is located at the predetermined distance from the object and a second indicator that aligns with the light pattern on the object when the end is located at a second predetermined distance from the object.

16. A vehicle comprising:

a rear end;

a rear window;

a rear light configured to project a light pattern onto an object behind the rear end; and

a proximity indicator coupled to the rear window at a predetermined position the proximity indicator is to align with the light pattern projected on the object when the rear end is located a predetermined distance from the object.

17. The vehicle of claim 16, wherein the rear light is selected from at least one of tail lights, brake lights, and reversing lights.

18. The vehicle of claim 16, wherein the proximity indicator is a sticker or decal adhered to the rear window.

19. A vehicle comprising:

a front end;

a front window;

a front light configured to project a light pattern onto an object in front of the front end; and

a proximity indicator coupled to the front window at a predetermined position the proximity indicator is to align with the light pattern projected on the object when the front end is located a predetermined distance from the object.

20. The vehicle of claim 19, wherein the front light is selected from at least one of headlights, fog lights, and daytime running lights.