Exterior compartment light

• US 10,543,777 B2
• Filed: 06/27/2017
• Issued: 01/28/2020
• Est. Priority Date: 06/27/2017
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC (Ford Motor Company)
• Original Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC (Ford Motor Company)
• Inventors: Glickman, David Brian, Dellock, Paul Kenneth, Salter, Stuart C., Surman, Jim J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Redman, Jerry E
• Application Number:
  US15/634,467
• Publication Number:
  US 20180370422A1
• Time in Patent Office: 945 Days
• Field of Search: 49503
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/2669 on door or boot handles lighting devices for vehicle interior on door handles B60Q3/267
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 2400/20 Multi-color single source or LED matrix, e.g. yellow blinker and red brake lamp generated by single lamp
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 3/30 for compartments other than passenger or driving compartments, e.g. luggage or engine compartments
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 3/80 Circuits; Control arrangements for dashboards B60Q3/16; for mass transit vehicles B60Q3/47
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 85/107 Pop-out handles, e.g. sliding outwardly before rotation
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 45/20 Controlling the colour of the light

Abstract

An apparatus, according to an exemplary aspect of the present disclosure includes, among other things, a handle movable relative to a vehicle closure panel between an active mode and a stowed mode, and an illumination source incorporated into the handle. The illumination source illuminates the handle when in the active mode and illuminates a cargo area associated with the vehicle closure panel when in the stowed mode with the closure panel open. A method according to an exemplary aspect of the present disclosure includes, among other things, moving the handle relative to the vehicle closure panel between the active and stowed modes, illuminating the handle when in the active mode, and illuminating the cargo area when in the stowed mode.

Claims

1. An apparatus, comprising:

a handle moveable relative to a vehicle closure panel between an active mode and a stowed mode; and

an illumination source incorporated into the handle, the illumination source illuminating the handle when in the active mode and illuminating a cargo area associated with the vehicle closure panel when in the stowed mode with the closure panel open.

2. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the illumination source illuminates a first color when in the active mode and a second color different than the first color when in the stowed mode.

3. The apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the illumination source illuminates a third color different than the first and second colors when the closure panel covers the cargo area and is properly latched.

4. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the illumination source has a first intensity when in the active mode and a second intensity different than the first intensity when in the stowed mode.

5. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the handle has an exterior surface that is flush with the vehicle closure panel in the stowed mode and an interior surface that supports the illumination source.

6. The apparatus according to claim 5, including a printed circuit board mounted to the interior surface and electrically connected to the illumination source.

7. The apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the printed circuit board includes an orientation sensor communicating with the illumination source to change at least one of color or intensity of the illumination source for the stowed and active modes.

8. The apparatus according to claim 6, including a hinge connection that couples the handle to the vehicle closure panel, the hinge connection including electrical connections to couple the printed circuit board to a power source.

9. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the vehicle closure panel has a panel exterior surface facing outwardly of a vehicle and wherein an exterior handle surface is flush with the panel exterior surface when in the stowed mode.

10. The apparatus according to claim 9 wherein the exterior handle surface includes a layer of body color that matches a body color of a surrounding area of the panel exterior surface.

11. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the handle is fixed to the vehicle closure panel via a hinge connection such that the handle can move relative to the vehicle closure panel between the active and stowed mode.

12. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the handle is fixed to the vehicle closure panel and wherein the illumination source is fixed to an interior surface of the handle for movement with the handle.

13. An apparatus, comprising:

a vehicle closure panel moveable between an open position to provide access to a cargo area and a closed position to cover the cargo area;

a handle moveable relative to the vehicle closure panel between an active mode and a stowed mode; and

an illumination source incorporated into the handle and illuminating the handle when in the active mode and illuminating the cargo area when in the stowed mode with the closure panel open.

14. The apparatus according to claim 13, wherein the handle is flush with the vehicle closure panel when in the stowed mode and is pivoted upwardly relative to the vehicle closure panel when in the active mode.

15. The apparatus according to claim 14, wherein the illumination source illuminates a first color when the closure panel is in the open position the handle is in the stowed mode, and wherein the illumination source illuminates a second color when the closure panel is in the open position and the handle is in the active mode.

16. The apparatus according to claim 15, wherein the illumination source has a first intensity when in the stowed mode and a second intensity lower than the first intensity when in the active mode.

17. The apparatus according to claim 15, wherein the illumination source illuminates a third color when the closure panel is in the closed position and the handle is in the active mode.

18. The apparatus according to claim 14, wherein the handle has an exterior surface that is flush with the vehicle closure panel in the stowed mode and an interior surface that supports the illumination source.

19. The apparatus according to claim 18, including a printed circuit board mounted to the interior surface and electrically connected to the illumination source, and an orientation sensor communicating with the illumination source to change at least one of color or intensity of the illumination source for the stowed and active modes.

20. The apparatus according to claim 13, wherein the vehicle closure panel has a panel exterior surface facing outwardly of a vehicle and wherein an exterior handle surface is flush with the panel exterior surface when in the stowed mode.

21. The apparatus according to claim 20 wherein the exterior handle surface includes a layer of body color that matches a body color of a surrounding area of the panel exterior surface.

22. The apparatus according to claim 13, wherein the handle is fixed to the vehicle closure panel via a hinge connection such that the handle can move relative to the vehicle closure panel between the active and stowed mode.

23. The apparatus according to claim 13, wherein the handle is fixed to the vehicle closure panel and wherein the illumination source is fixed to an interior surface of the handle for movement with the handle.