Interchangeable logo courtesy lamp

• US 10,738,960 B1
• Filed: 07/09/2019
• Issued: 08/11/2020
• Est. Priority Date: 07/09/2019
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Ficosa North America Corporation (Ficosa Inversion, Sl)
• Original Assignee: Ficosa North America Corporation (Ficosa Inversion, Sl)
• Inventors: Hellin Navarro, Sergio, Bikos, Norbert Anthony
• Primary Examiner(s): Han, Jason M
• Application Number:
  US16/506,503
• Time in Patent Office: 399 Days
• Field of Search: 362494, 362509, 362512, 362540
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/0017 Devices integrating an element dedicated to another function
• 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 1/323 on or for doors illuminated exterior door handles B60Q1/2669; illuminated door locks E05B17/10
• 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: B60Q 2900/10 Retrofit arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 1/06 mounted on vehicle exterior B60R1/025, B60R1/08 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 1/12 Mirror assemblies combined with other articles, e.g. clocks
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 1/1207 with lamps; with turn indicators
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2001/1215 with information displays
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 43/14 Light emitting diodes [LED]
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 43/26 Refractors, transparent cover plates, light guides or filters not provided in groups F21S43/235 - F21S43/255
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 43/27 Attachment thereof
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 45/50 Waterproofing
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 17/002 with provision for interchangeability, i.e. component parts being especially adapted to be replaced by another part with the same or a different function F21V17/10 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F21W 2103/60 Projection of signs from lighting devices, e.g. symbols or information being projected onto the road

Abstract

A vehicle lamp system, may include a lamp housing arranged within a vehicle winglet; and an optical assembly arranged within an optical housing and configured to project an image on a surface exterior to the vehicle from the winglet, the optical assembly having the optical housing configured to receive at least one interchangeable film configured to produce the image, the optical housing defining a slot configured to receive the film.

Claims

1. A vehicle lamp system, comprising:

a lamp housing arranged within a vehicle winglet;

an optical assembly arranged within an optical housing and configured to project an image on a surface exterior to the vehicle from the winglet, the optical assembly having the optical housing configured to receive at least one interchangeable film configured to produce the image, the optical housing defining a slot configured to receive the film,

wherein the optical housing contains a first optical lens, a second optical lens, and a third optical lens, and further wherein the film is arranged between two of the optical lenses.

2. The system of claim 1, further comprising a slide mount configured to receive the film, the slot defined by the optical housing configured to receive the slide mount.

3. The system of claim 2, wherein the slide mount includes a notch.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the optical assembly is selectably removable from the lamp housing to expose the slot.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein at least one of the lenses is configured to interface with the film to generate the projected image.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein the optical housing and the lamp housing are water-resistant sealed.

7. The system of claim 1, further comprising at least one sealing ring arranged between the optical housing and the lamp housing to create a seal.

8. The system of claim 1, further comprising at least one controller in communication with the optical assembly and configured to control the projected image.

9. The system of claim 8 further comprising at least one housing cover configured to connect with the lamp housing and seal the controller within the lamp housing.

10. An interchangeable vehicle lamp system for projecting an image exterior to a vehicle, comprising:

a lamp assembly arranged within a vehicle winglet;

an optical assembly configured to be selectably receivable by the lamp assembly, the optical assembly configured to produce the projected image, the optical assembly containing three sequential optical lenses with at least one film arranged therebetween; and

a support arranged within the lamp assembly and configured to receive a proximal end of the optical assembly and align the three lenses within the optical assembly with the lamp assembly during installation.

11. The system of claim 10, wherein the optical assembly includes an optical housing defining a keyed alignment feature configured to receive the film.

12. The system of claim 11, wherein the optical assembly is selectively removable from the lamp assembly to expose the keyed alignment feature.

13. The system of claim 12, wherein the keyed alignment feature includes at least one protrusion configured to mate with the optical housing.

14. The system of claim 10, wherein the optical assembly includes at least one optical prism to generate the projected image.

15. The system of claim 10, wherein the optical housing and the lamp housing are water-resistant sealed.

16. The system of claim 11, further comprising at least one controller in communication with the optical assembly and configured to control the projected image.

17. The system of claim 16, further comprising at least one housing cover configured to seal the controller within the lamp assembly.

18. The system of claim 10, wherein the winglet is a vehicle side rearview viewing device.

19. The system of claim 10, wherein the lamp assembly is at least one of clipped and threaded to the optical housing.