Console and light assembly

• US 7,370,995 B2
• Filed: 05/04/2006
• Issued: 05/13/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 05/04/2006
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: International Automotive Components Group North America (Lear Corporation)
• Original Assignee: International Automotive Components Group North America (Lear Corporation)
• Inventors: Maeda, Hiroyuki, Hein, David A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Alavi; Ali
• Application Number:
  US11/381,620
• Publication Number:
  US 20070258228A1
• Time in Patent Office: 740 Days
• Field of Search: 362 26- 27, 362 29- 30, 362/551, 362/488, 362/492, 362/511, 362/85
• US Class Current: 362/511
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 3/12 lighting onto the surface to be illuminated
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 3/20 for lighting specific fittings of passenger or driving compartments; mounted on specific fittings of passenger or driving compartments lighting for dashboards B60Q3/10
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 3/51 for mounting lighting devices onto vehicle interior, e.g. onto ceiling or floor
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 3/64 for a single lighting device
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 3/78 for generating luminous strips, e.g. for marking trim component edges
• CPC Class Codes: G01D 11/28 Structurally-combined illuminating devices

Abstract

A console assembly and a light assembly for a motor vehicle. The light assembly includes a light pipe and a light module. The light pipe has opposing first and second surfaces and opposing interior and exterior surfaces. The light module disposed adjacent to the interior surface. The second surface has a groove disposed between the interior and exterior surfaces that is configured to receive a console unit.

Claims

1. A light assembly for use with a console unit, the light assembly comprising:

a light pipe having opposing first and second surfaces and opposing interior and exterior surfaces; and

a light module disposed adjacent to the interior surface, the light module including a light source and a circuit for controlling the light source;

wherein the second surface has a groove disposed between the interior and exterior surfaces that is configured to receive the console unit.

2. The light assembly of claim 1 wherein the light pipe further comprises a hole extending between the first and second surfaces through which a fastener extends to mount the console unit to a motor vehicle.

3. The light assembly of claim 1 wherein the light pipe further comprises an indentation extending from the interior surface toward the exterior surface and wherein the light source extends into the indentation.

4. The light assembly of claim 1 wherein the interior surface further comprises a plurality of steps disposed adjacent to each other for redirecting light from the light source toward the exterior surface.

5. The light assembly of claim 1 further comprising a retention feature disposed adjacent to the interior surface and extending away from the second surface for mounting the light assembly.

6. The light assembly of claim 1 wherein the exterior surface of the light pipe is curved such that light from the light source is directed generally away from the second surface.

7. The light assembly of claim 1 wherein the exterior surface of the light pipe has a substantially circular cross section.

8. A console assembly, comprising:

a console unit having a rim; and

a light assembly including;

a light pipe having opposing first and second surfaces and opposing interior and exterior surfaces; and

a light module disposed adjacent to the interior surface, the light module including a light source and a circuit for controlling the light source;

wherein the second surface has a groove disposed between the interior and exterior surfaces that is configured to receive the rim and align the light pipe with the console unit.

9. The console assembly of claim 8 wherein the light pipe is substantially ring shaped and includes light modules for illuminating opposing sides of the light pipe.

10. The console assembly of claim 8 wherein the console unit further comprises a fastener and the light pipe further comprises a through hole extending between the first and second surfaces, wherein the fastener extends through the through hole.

11. The console assembly of claim 8 wherein the light assembly is disposed between the console unit and a headliner.

12. The console assembly of claim 11 wherein the headliner further comprises an aperture and the light assembly further comprises a retention feature that extends through the aperture and couples the light assembly to the headliner.

13. The console assembly of claim 8 wherein the light assembly is disposed between the console unit and an interior vehicle surface.

14. The console assembly of claim 13 wherein the first surface of the light pipe is disposed adjacent to the interior vehicle surface.

15. The console assembly of claim 8 wherein the light pipe further comprises an indentation extending from the interior surface toward the exterior surface and wherein the light source extends into the indentation.

16. A console assembly for a motor vehicle having a mounting surface, the console assembly comprising:

a console unit having a rim and a fastener; and

a light assembly including;

a light pipe having opposing first and second surfaces and opposing interior and exterior surfaces and a through hole extending between the first and second surfaces; and

a light module disposed adjacent to the interior surface, the light module including a light source and a circuit for controlling the light source;

wherein the second surface has a groove disposed between the interior and exterior surfaces that is configured to receive the rim and align the light pipe with the console unit; and

wherein the fastener extends through the through hole and has a first configuration to couple the console unit to the mounting surface when a light assembly is provided and wherein the fastener extends through the through hole has a second configuration to couple the console unit to the mounting surface when the light assembly is not provided between the mounting surface and the console unit.

17. The console assembly of claim 16 wherein the interior surface of the light pipe further comprises a plurality of steps disposed adjacent to each other for redirecting light from the light source toward the exterior surface and wherein the light module further comprises a circuit board mounted to the light pipe and the light source is a side mount light emitting diode mounted on and oriented generally perpendicular to the second and interior surfaces.

18. The console assembly of claim 16 wherein the light pipe further comprises first and second interior surfaces and first and second light modules disposed adjacent to the first and second interior surfaces, respectively, for illuminating different exterior surfaces of the light pipe.

19. The console assembly of claim 16 wherein the exterior surface of the light pipe has a constant radius in an area extending between the first surface and the groove.

20. The console assembly of claim 16 wherein the exterior surface is curved between the first surface and the second surface such that a first point of intersection between the first and exterior surfaces is located closer to the light source than a second point of intersection between the second and exterior surface.