Vehicle light assembly

• US 10,427,593 B2
• Filed: 03/09/2017
• Issued: 10/01/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 02/09/2017
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC (Ford Motor Company)
• Original Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC (Ford Motor Company)
• Inventors: Johnson, Aaron Bradley, Salter, Stuart C., Dellock, Paul Kenneth, Helwig, Stephen Kenneth
• Primary Examiner(s): Bowman, Mary Ellen
• Application Number:
  US15/454,097
• Publication Number:
  US 20180222381A1
• Time in Patent Office: 936 Days
• Field of Search: 362 36
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/0041 of several lamps in relation to each other
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/0076 Switches therefor B60Q1/1446, B60Q1/343, B60Q1/40 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/12 due to steering position
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/22 for reverse drive
• 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 1/346 with automatic actuation
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/381 with several light sources activated in sequence, e.g. to create a sweep effect
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 2400/10 Electro- or photo- luminescent surfaces, e.g. signalling by way of electroluminescent strips or panels
• 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: F21S 43/14 Light emitting diodes [LED]
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 43/20 characterised by refractors, transparent cover plates, light guides or filters
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 43/37 Attachment thereof

Abstract

A light assembly is provided herein. The light assembly includes a pair of light assemblies disposed on opposing sides of a rear portion of a vehicle. Each light assembly includes a housing and a lens. A light source is disposed in the housing and is configured to create a first predefined illumination pattern. A controller is configured to selectively activate the first illumination pattern from one of the pair of housings corresponding to a direction of a vehicle steering wheel rotation.

Claims

1. A vehicle, comprising:

a pair of light assemblies disposed on opposing sides of a rear portion of a vehicle, wherein each light assembly includes a housing and a lens;

a plurality of light sources disposed in the housing and configured to create a first predefined illumination pattern; and

a controller configured to selectively activate a first illumination pattern from one of the pair of housings corresponding to a direction of a vehicle steering wheel rotation, the first illumination pattern configured to illuminate an area vehicle forwardly and rearwardly of the light assembly, wherein the plurality of light sources progressively illuminate from an inboard first portion of the plurality of light sources to a second portion of the plurality of light sources outboard of the first portion as the steering wheel is rotated in one direction.

2. The vehicle of claim 1, wherein the controller activates various illumination patterns based on a vehicle transmission state.

3. The vehicle of claim 1, wherein the pair of light assemblies emit a first intensity of light when the vehicle is moving below a predefined speed and a second lower intensity when the vehicle exceeds the predefined speed.

4. The vehicle of claim 3, wherein the pair of light assemblies illuminates in conjunction with a vehicle backup lamp as the vehicle moves in a rearward direction.

5. The vehicle of claim 1, wherein the first illumination pattern is configured to emit an excitation light laterally outward of a vehicle turn signal indicator lamp.

6. The vehicle of claim 5, wherein the first illumination pattern is visible to a vehicle disposed rearwardly of the light assembly while an intermediate vehicle is disposed between the rearwardly disposed vehicle and the light assembly.

7. The vehicle of claim 1, further comprising:

a luminescent structure operably coupled with each of the plurality of light sources and configured to luminesce in response to receiving excitation light from the plurality of light sources.

8. The vehicle of claim 7, wherein the luminescent structure includes at least one luminescent material configured to convert an excitation light received from at least a portion of a light source into a visible light.

9. The vehicle of claim 1, wherein the plurality of light sources is activated when a vehicle steering wheel is rotated without initiation of a vehicle turn signal indicator lamp.

10. The vehicle of claim 1, wherein the plurality of light sources includes a pair of LEDs aligned laterally adjacent to one another.

11. A light assembly, comprising:

a plurality of light sources disposed within a housing on a vehicle and configured to selectively illuminate in first, second and third colors;

a plurality of reflectors, each light source operably coupled with an independent reflector angularly offset from the remaining reflectors; and

a controller configured to selectively illuminate the light sources in the first color when the vehicle is stationary, the second color when the vehicle moves in a first direction, and the third color when the vehicle moves in a second, opposing direction, wherein the plurality of light sources progressively illuminate from an inboard first portion of the plurality of light sources to a second portion of the plurality of light sources outboard of the first portion as the steering wheel is rotated in one direction.

12. The light assembly of claim 11, further comprising:

a vehicle exterior sensor configured to detect an object disposed rearwardly of the vehicle; and

a door sensor, wherein the plurality of light sources are activated when a vehicle door is opened and the exterior sensor detects an approaching object.

13. The light assembly of claim 11, further comprising:

a luminescent structure operably coupled with the plurality of light sources and configured to luminesce in response to receiving excitation light from the plurality of light sources.

14. The light assembly of claim 11, wherein the plurality of light sources is activated when a vehicle steering wheel is rotated without initiation of a vehicle turn signal indicator lamp.

15. The light assembly of claim 11, wherein the housing is disposed within a tail lamp assembly of the vehicle.

16. A vehicle light assembly, comprising:

a housing and a lens located on a vehicle;

a plurality of light sources disposed within the housing and configured to emit an illumination pattern rearwardly and laterally outward of the vehicle, the illumination pattern extending further than a turn indicator light cone; and

a controller configured to selectively illuminate the plurality of light sources when a vehicle steering wheel is rotated without initiation of a vehicle turn signal indicator lamp, wherein the plurality of light sources progressively illuminate from an inboard first portion of the plurality of light sources to a second portion of the plurality of light sources outboard of the first portion as the steering wheel is rotated in one direction.

17. The vehicle light assembly of claim 16, further comprising:

a luminescent structure operably coupled with the plurality of light sources and configured to luminesce in response to receiving excitation light.

18. The vehicle light assembly of claim 16, wherein the housing is disposed within at least one of a bumper, a tailgate, or a body panel of the vehicle.

19. The vehicle light assembly of claim 16, wherein the plurality of light sources illuminates an area rearwardly of the vehicle and an adjacently disposed object as a passenger approaches or exits the vehicle.

20. The vehicle light assembly of claim 16, wherein the plurality of light sources emits a first intensity of light when the vehicle is moving below a predefined speed and a second lower intensity when the vehicle exceeds the predefined speed.