Vehicle puddle lamp assembly generating moving image and method

• US 10,040,392 B2
• Filed: 11/04/2016
• Issued: 08/07/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 04/26/2013
• 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, Gardner, Cornel Lewis, Huebner, Annette Lynn
• Primary Examiner(s): Whitesell Gordon, Steven H
• Assistant Examiner(s): BROOKS, JERRY L.
• Application Number:
  US15/343,498
• Publication Number:
  US 20170050558A1
• Time in Patent Office: 641 Days
• Field of Search: 353 1, 353 5
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/0023 the element being a sensor, e.g. distance sensor, camera
• 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 1/2665 on rear-view mirrors lighting devices for vehicle interior on or for rear-view mirrors B60Q3/258
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/32 for indicating vehicle sides , e.g. clearance lights
• 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 1/381 with several light sources activated in sequence, e.g. to create a sweep effect
• 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 2400/50 Projected symbol or information, e.g. onto the road or car body
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 1/12 Mirror assemblies combined with other articles, e.g. clocks
• CPC Class Codes: G03B 21/206 Control of light source other than position or intensity
• CPC Class Codes: G03B 29/00 Combinations of cameras, projectors or photographic printing apparatus with non-photographic non-optical apparatus, e.g. clocks or weapons; Cameras having the shape of other objects combinations with flash apparatus G03B15/03
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 47/115 by determining the presence or movement of objects or living beings
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 47/13 by using passive infrared detectors
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 47/16 by timing means
• CPC Class Codes: Y02B 20/40 Control techniques providing energy savings, e.g. smart controller or presence detection

Abstract

A vehicle puddle lamp assembly is provided that includes a plurality of light projectors located on a vehicle and configured to illuminate different lighted image patterns on a ground surface adjacent to the vehicle. The vehicle puddle lamp assembly includes a controller for sequentially activating the plurality of light projectors to generate an animated lighted image on the ground surface. The animated image moves in a location based on a door position.

Claims

1. A vehicle puddle lamp assembly comprising:

a plurality of light projectors located on a vehicle and configured to illuminate different lighted image patterns on a surface adjacent to the vehicle;

an acceleration sensor sensing a passenger door moving to a fully open position; and

a controller sequentially activating the plurality of light projectors one at a time to generate a moving animated lighted image on the ground surface only when the door is determined in the fully open position.

2. The lamp assembly of claim 1, wherein the controller turns the plurality of light projectors on and off one projector at a time.

3. The lamp assembly of claim 2, wherein the controller turns one of the light projectors on for a time period in the range of 50 to 500 milliseconds.

4. The lamp assembly of claim 1, wherein the plurality of light projectors comprises first, second and third projectors, each comprising a light source and a filter operatively coupled to the light source for generating the image pattern.

5. The lamp assembly of claim 1, wherein the plurality of light projectors are located on the passenger door for generating lighted image patterns on a ground surface adjacent to a vehicle door.

6. The lamp assembly of claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of light projectors comprises a light source and a filter comprising an image pattern located in front of the light source.

7. The lamp assembly of claim 1, wherein the animated lighted image moves away from the vehicle when the door is determined in the fully open position.

8. The lamp assembly of claim 7, wherein the animated lighted image moves toward the vehicle when the door is sensed moving to a closed position.

9. The lamp assembly of claim 8, wherein the acceleration sensor further senses the door moving to the closed position.

10. A vehicle puddle lamp assembly comprising:

a plurality of light projectors located on a door of a vehicle and configured to illuminate different lighted image patterns one at a time on a surface adjacent to the vehicle;

a sensor sensing a passenger door position; and

a controller sequentially activating the plurality of light projectors to project a moving lighted image towards the vehicle and on the ground surface only when the door is fully open.

11. The lamp assembly of claim 10, wherein the controller generates an animated moving image, and wherein the assembly further comprises a puddle lamp for illuminating the surface adjacent to the vehicle.

12. The lamp assembly of claim 10, wherein the controller generates a first movement of the lighted image when the vehicle door is determined in the fully open position.

13. The lamp assembly of claim 12, wherein the lighted image moves away from the vehicle when the door is determined in the fully open position.

14. The lamp assembly of claim 12, wherein the controller generates a second movement of the lighted image when the vehicle door is sensed moving to a closed position.

15. A method of generating a lighted image with a vehicle puddle lamp assembly, comprising:

receiving a signal to activate a vehicle puddle lamp;

determining a vehicle door moving to an open position; and

sequentially activating a plurality of light projectors one at a time located on the vehicle door and configured to illuminate different light patterns towards the vehicle and onto a surface adjacent to the vehicle to generate a lighted image that appears to move outward on the ground surface from underneath the vehicle to a location distanced from the vehicle only when the vehicle door is determined in a fully open position.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein the lighted image is an animated lighted image.

17. The method of claim 15, wherein the step of sequentially activating the plurality of light projectors comprises turning the plurality of light projectors on and off one projector at a time.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein the step of sequentially activating the plurality of light projectors comprises turning one of the light projectors on for a time period in the range of 50 to 500 milliseconds.

19. The method of claim 15, wherein the plurality of light projectors each comprises a light source and a filter operatively coupled to the light source for generating an image pattern.

20. The method of claim 15, wherein the plurality of light projectors are located on the vehicle door for generating lighted image patterns on a ground surface adjacent to the vehicle door.