Vehicle lamp assembly

• US 10,137,825 B1
• Filed: 10/02/2017
• Issued: 11/27/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 10/02/2017
• 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, Stuhec, Ulrich, Hoelscher, Keith, Helwig, Stephen Kenneth
• Primary Examiner(s): Le, Thien M
• Application Number:
  US15/722,059
• Time in Patent Office: 421 Days
• Field of Search: 362494
• 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 1/2607 comprising at least two indicating lamps
• 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 1/268 on windscreens or windows B60Q1/302 takes precedence; lighting devices for vehicle interior on or for windows B60Q3/208
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/324 for signalling that a door is open or intended to be opened
• 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 2400/40 Welcome lights, i.e. specific or existing exterior lamps to assist leaving or approaching the vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 2900/30 Lamps commanded by wireless transmissions
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 1/1207 with lamps; with turn indicators
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2001/1223 with sensors or transducers
• 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 43/19 Attachment of light sources or lamp holders
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 43/235 Light guides
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 43/237 rod-shaped
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 43/243 emitting light from one or more of its extremities
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 43/247 with a single light source being coupled into the light guide
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 45/47 Passive cooling, e.g. using fins, thermal conductive elements or openings

Abstract

A vehicle mirror assembly is provided herein. The mirror assembly includes a first light source disposed within a housing and is operably coupled with a first light output window disposed on an outboard portion of the housing. A door ajar sensor is disposed within a vehicle. Emitted light is emanated from the first light output window through a window of the vehicle when the door ajar sensor detects a vehicle door is in an open position.

Claims

1. A lamp assembly, comprising:

a first light source disposed within a housing and operably coupled with a first light output window disposed on an outboard portion of the housing, the first light source configured to direct light through the first light output window and through a side window of a vehicle;

a second light source disposed within the housing and positioned substantially perpendicular to the first light source and configured to direct light through a bottom portion of the housing; and

a door ajar sensor operably coupled with the first light source, wherein emitted light is emanated from the first light output window through a window of the vehicle when the door ajar sensor detects a door is open.

2. The lamp assembly of claim 1, wherein the first light source is illuminated when the door is rotated beyond a predefined magnitude of rotation.

3. The lamp assembly of claim 1, further comprising:

a light guide optically coupling the first light source with the light output window.

4. The lamp assembly of claim 1, wherein the second light source is configured to emit light towards a ground surface proximate the vehicle.

5. The lamp assembly of claim 1, further comprising:

a third light source configured to emit light towards a body component of the vehicle.

6. The lamp assembly of claim 5, wherein the body component includes a luminescent structure therein, the luminescent structure configured to luminesce upon receiving emitted light from the third light source.

7. The lamp assembly of claim 5, wherein the first, second, and third light sources are all disposed on a common printed circuit board.

8. The lamp assembly of claim 1, further comprising:

a second light output window disposed on an outboard portion of the housing, wherein emitted light is emanated from the second light output window through a rear window of the vehicle when the door ajar sensor detects a rear door is open.

9. The lamp assembly of claim 1, further comprising:

a light guide optically coupling the first light source with the light output window.

10. The lamp assembly of claim 1, wherein the window includes a light-diffusing element in a portion thereof.

11. The lamp assembly of claim 1, further comprising:

a heatsink disposed within the housing and configured to capture at least a portion of heat generated by the first light source.

12. The lamp assembly of claim 11, wherein the heat transferred from the heatsink is configured to warm a reflective element within the housing.

13. A lamp assembly, comprising:

a light source disposed on an opposing side of a reflective element from a pivot assembly and operably coupled with a light output window positioned vertically above the at least a portion of the pivot assembly; and

a door ajar sensor operably coupled with the light source, wherein light is emanated through a front window of an open front door and through a rear window of an open rear door.

14. The lamp assembly of claim 13, further comprising:

a heatsink disposed within the housing and configured to capture at least a portion of heat generated by the light source.

15. The lamp assembly of claim 13, further comprising:

a light guide optically coupling the light source with the light output window.

16. A vehicle, comprising:

a first light output window disposed on a housing; and

a second light output window disposed below the first light output window and vertically above at least a portion of a mirror bracket, wherein light is emanated from the first light output window through a first window when a first door is open and from the second light output window through a second window when a second door is open.

17. The vehicle of claim 16, wherein the first and second light output windows are operably coupled with a light source.

18. The vehicle of claim 17, further comprising:

a door ajar sensor is configured to detect a magnitude of rotation of the first and second doors.

19. The vehicle of claim 18, wherein the light source is illuminated when the first or second door is opened beyond a predefined magnitude of rotation.

20. The vehicle of claim 16, further comprising:

a heatsink disposed within the housing and configured to capture at least a portion of heat generated by the first light source.