Vehicle light assembly having strobe light

• US 10,766,409 B2
• Filed: 02/12/2018
• Issued: 09/08/2020
• Est. Priority Date: 02/12/2018
• 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., Johnson, Aaron Bradley, Helwig, Stephen Kenneth, Dellock, Paul Kenneth
• Primary Examiner(s): Hammond, Crystal L
• Application Number:
  US15/894,098
• Publication Number:
  US 20190248278A1
• Time in Patent Office: 939 Days
• Field of Search: None
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/22 for reverse drive
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/2607 comprising at least two indicating lamps
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/34 for indicating change of drive direction B60Q1/22 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/44 for indicating braking action or preparation for braking, e.g. by detection of the foot approaching the brake pedal
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/46 for giving flashing caution signals during drive, other than signalling change of direction, e.g. flashing the headlights or hazard lights
• 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: F21S 43/14 Light emitting diodes [LED]
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 43/19 Attachment of light sources or lamp holders
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 43/237 rod-shaped
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 43/245 emitting light from one or more of its major surfaces
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 43/247 with a single light source being coupled into the light guide
• 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 43/31 Optical layout thereof
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 43/40 characterised by the combination of reflectors and refractors
• CPC Class Codes: F21W 2105/00 Combinations of lighting devices covered by codes F21W2102/00 – F21W2104/00
• CPC Class Codes: F21Y 2113/13 comprising an assembly of point-like light sources
• CPC Class Codes: F21Y 2115/10 Light-emitting diodes [LED]
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 45/20 Controlling the colour of the light

Abstract

A vehicle taillight assembly is provided that includes a housing having a light transmissive lens, a brake light located in the housing, a strobe light located in the housing and a controller activating the strobe light to strobe when the brake light is activated. The strobe light may also be activated when a turn signal light or reverse light is activated. The strobe light has a light source illuminating light onto a light pipe.

Claims

1. A vehicle taillight assembly comprising:

a housing having a light transmissive lens, wherein the housing is configured to be assembled on a left or right side rear panel of a vehicle;

a brake light located in the housing;

a strobe light located in the housing;

a reverse light located in the housing,

a turn signal light located in the housing; and

a controller activating the strobe light to strobe when the brake light is activated, the controller activating the strobe light to strobe when the reverse light is activated, and the controller activating the strobe light to strobe when the turn signal light is activated.

2. The vehicle taillight assembly of claim 1, wherein the controller activates the strobe light in a first color when the brake light is activated, activates the strobe light in a second color when the reverse light is activated, and activates the strobe light in a third color when the turn signal light is activated.

3. The vehicle taillight assembly of claim 2, wherein the strobe light comprises a RGB LED.

4. The vehicle taillight assembly of claim 1, wherein the strobe light comprises a light source operatively coupled to a light pipe.

5. The vehicle taillight assembly of claim 4, wherein the strobe light further comprises a reflector and the light transmissive lens is located on opposite sides of the light pipe.

6. The vehicle taillight assembly of claim 1, wherein the strobe light turns on and off at a frequency greater than 2 hertz.

7. The vehicle taillight assembly of claim 6, wherein the strobe light turns on and off at a frequency in the range of 3-20 hertz.

8. The vehicle taillight assembly of claim 7, wherein the strobe light turns on and off at a frequency in the range of 4-8 hertz.

9. The vehicle taillight assembly of claim 8, wherein the strobe light turns on and off with a duty cycle in the range of about 1-50%.

10. A vehicle taillight assembly comprising:

a housing having a light transmissive lens, wherein the housing is configured to be assembled on a left or right side rear panel of a vehicle;

a brake light located in the housing;

a strobe light located in the housing and comprising a light source illuminating light onto a light pipe; and

a reverse light located in the housing;

a turn signal light located in the housing; and

a controller activating the strobe light to strobe in a first color when the brake light is activated, the controller activating the strobe light to strobe in a second color when the reverse light is activated, and the controller activating the strobe light to strobe in a third color when the turn signal light is activated.

11. The vehicle taillight assembly of claim 10, wherein the strobe light comprises a RGB LED.

12. The vehicle taillight assembly of claim 10, wherein the strobe light further comprises a reflector and the lens located on opposite sides of the light pipe.

13. The vehicle taillight assembly of claim 10, wherein the strobe light turns on and off at a frequency greater than 2 hertz.

14. The vehicle taillight assembly of claim 13, wherein the strobe light turns on and off at a frequency in the range of 3-20 hertz.

15. The vehicle taillight assembly of claim 10, wherein the strobe light turns on and off at a frequency in the range of 4-8 hertz and a duty cycle of about 50%.