Warning light system with dedicated windshield heating element

• US 10,131,272 B2
• Filed: 07/18/2016
• Issued: 11/20/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 07/18/2016
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC (Ford Motor Company)
• Original Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC (Ford Motor Company)
• Inventors: Ban, Jr., John Steven, Mullen, Matthew Cramer
• Primary Examiner(s): Feild, Joseph
• Assistant Examiner(s): Point, Rufus
• Application Number:
  US15/212,384
• Publication Number:
  US 20180015871A1
• Time in Patent Office: 855 Days
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/26 the devices being primarily intended to indicate the vehicle, or parts thereof, or to give signals, to other traffic
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/28 for indicating front of vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/50 for indicating other intentions or conditions, e.g. request for waiting or overtaking
• CPC Class Codes: B60S 1/04 Wipers or the like, e.g. scrapers
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 45/60 Heating of lighting devices, e.g. for demisting
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 5/38 using flashing light

Abstract

A warning light system that is provided for a motor vehicle includes a warning light assembly and a heating element carried on a windshield of the motor vehicle, vehicle forward of the warning light assembly. The heating element is dedicated to providing a clear sight path to the warning light and thereby increasing its effectiveness. A related method is also provided.

Claims

1. A warning light system for a motor vehicle, comprising:

a warning light assembly, wherein said warning light assembly includes a light source and a lens that directs light from said light source through a designated portion of the windshield; and

a heating element carried on a windshield of the motor vehicle, vehicle forward of said warning light assembly;

wherein said lens has a front face through which said light from said light source is directed through the windshield and said heating element has a shape corresponding to said lens.

2. The warning light system of claim 1, wherein said designated portion is provided along an upper margin of the windshield above an area of the windshield cleared by windshield wipers of said motor vehicle.

3. The warning light system of claim 2, wherein said warning light assembly includes a roof mounting bracket to secure said warning light assembly to a roof panel of the motor vehicle.

4. The warning light system of claim 3, wherein said heating element comprises a decal and a resistance heating element.

5. The warning light system of claim 1, further including a controller configured to activate said heating element in response to activation of a windshield defroster of the motor vehicle.

6. The warning light system of claim 1, further including a controller configured to activate said heating element in response to data indicating (a) current precipitation and (b) an ambient temperature below a predetermined threshold temperature.

7. A motor vehicle, comprising:

a windshield;

a windshield wiper system for sweeping a field of said windshield;

a heating element attached to an upper margin of said windshield above said field; and

a warning light assembly including a light source and a lens for directing light from said light source through said upper margin of said windshield and said heating element;

wherein the heating element is vehicle forward of and adjacent to said lens; and

wherein said heating element and said lens have a common shape.

8. The motor vehicle of claim 7, wherein said warning light assembly includes a roof mounting bracket.

9. The motor vehicle of claim 7, further including a controller configured to activate said heating element in response to activation of a windshield defroster of the motor vehicle.

10. The motor vehicle of claim 7, further including a controller configured to activate said heating element in response to data indicating (a) current precipitation and (b) an ambient temperature below a predetermined threshold temperature.

11. A method of increasing effectiveness of a warning light assembly positioned in an interior of a motor vehicle, said warning light assembly including a lens, the method comprising:

energizing a heating element on the windshield of the motor vehicle in front of the warning light assembly;

clearing ice, fog or snow from a portion of the windshield in front of warning light assembly; and

directing light from said warning light assembly, through said lens, and through said portion of said windshield;

wherein said heating element has a shape corresponding to said lens.

12. The method of claim 11, including dedicating said heating element to maintaining a clear sight path through said windshield to said warning light assembly so that light emitted by said warning light assembly is highly visible to others outside the motor vehicle.

13. The method of claim 12, including energizing, by a controller, said heating element in response to activation of a windshield defroster.

14. The method of claim 12, including energizing, by a controller, said heating element in response to (a) current precipitation and (b) an ambient temperature below a predetermined threshold temperature.