Daylight opening surround

• US 9,789,811 B2
• Filed: 03/12/2014
• Issued: 10/17/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 03/12/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Jaguar Land Rover Limited (TATA Motors Limited)
• Original Assignee: Jaguar Land Rover Limited (TATA Motors Limited)
• Inventors: Collins, Mark, Nightingale, Hugo, Bhatti, Arafat
• Primary Examiner(s): Truong, Bao Q
• Application Number:
  US14/774,284
• Publication Number:
  US 20160016506A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,315 Days
• CPC Class Codes: B60J 1/20 Accessories, e.g. wind deflectors, blinds antiglare provisions B60J3/00; wind deflectors associated with roof openings B60J7/22; removable external protective coverings for windows or windscreens B60J11/08 ; aerodynamical spoiler for vehicles B62D35/00; heating arrangements specially adapted for transparent or reflecting areas H05B3/84
• CPC Class Codes: B60J 10/15 characterised by the material
• CPC Class Codes: B60J 10/20 characterised by the shape
• CPC Class Codes: B60J 10/23 assembled from two or more parts B60J10/21 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B60J 10/24 having tubular parts
• CPC Class Codes: B60J 10/265 the surface being primarily decorative
• CPC Class Codes: B60J 10/273 for enclosing or housing devices for purposes other than sealing, e.g. cables
• CPC Class Codes: B60J 10/70 specially adapted for windows or windscreens
• CPC Class Codes: B60J 10/80 specially adapted for opening panels, e.g. doors for non-fixed roofs B60J10/90
• CPC Class Codes: B60J 10/84 arranged on the vehicle body
• CPC Class Codes: B60J 9/00 Devices not provided for in one of main groups B60J1/00 - B60J7/00 B60J10/00 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/0023 the element being a sensor, e.g. distance sensor, camera
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/0035 relative to the vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/0094 Arrangement of electronic circuits separated from the light source, e.g. mounting of housings for starter circuits for discharge lamps arrangements being part of the light source holder F21V17/06, F21S43/195
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/2619 built in the vehicle body
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/2661 mounted on parts having other functions on wheels B60Q1/326
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/268 on windscreens or windows B60Q1/302 takes precedence; lighting devices for vehicle interior on or for windows B60Q3/208
• 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 1/488 for indicating intention to park
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/507 specific to autonomous vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/525 : automatically indicating risk of collision between vehicles in traffic or with pedestrians, e.g. after risk assessment using the vehicle sensor data
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/543 : for indicating other states or conditions of the vehicle indicating taxis' state of hire or fare G07B13/045
• 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: B60R 13/04 : External Ornamental or guard strips; Ornamental inscriptive devices thereon fastening strips or bars to sheets or plates by means of clips F16B5/12
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 43/14 : Light emitting diodes [LED]
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 43/237 : rod-shaped
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 43/245 : emitting light from one or more of its major surfaces

Abstract

The present invention relates to a daylight opening surround (3; 101) for a motor vehicle (1). The surround (3; 101) has a light transmitting element (15; 103) for transmitting light from a light source (19; 111). The present invention also relates to a light transmitting element (15; 103) for a surround (3; 101); a controller for a daylight opening surround (3; 101); and a motor vehicle (1).

Claims

1. A daylight opening surround for a motor vehicle, the surround comprising a plurality of point light sources and a light transmitting element, the light transmitting element comprising:

an inner surface located on an underside of the light transmitting element;

at least one outer surface;

at least two lateral surfaces between the inner surface and the outer surface;

a channel formed in said inner surface;

a cladding having a lower refractive index than said light transmitting element or a reflective layer disposed on said at least two lateral surfaces; and

a light transmitting layer disposed on an outer surface of said light transmitting element, wherein the plurality of point light sources are located in the channel and the light transmitting element comprises an optical waveguide for transmitting light from the plurality of point light sources to the at least one outer surface.

2. The daylight opening surround of claim 1, wherein said light transmitting element is elongated and extends at least partially around said surround.

3. The daylight opening surround of claim 1, wherein the light transmitting layer is reflective and/or coloured.

4. The daylight opening surround of claim 1, wherein the light transmitting element is integrated with a resilient seal.

5. The daylight opening surround of claim 1, comprising at least one interface or connector that optically couples said light transmitting element to the light source.

6. The daylight opening surround of claim 1, wherein said light transmitting element comprises a transparent, semi-transparent or translucent material.

7. The daylight opening surround of claim 1, wherein said light transmitting element comprises a diffuser configured to homogenise the light transmitted therethrough from the light source.

8. The daylight opening surround of claim 1, wherein the daylight opening surround is configured to extend at least partially around a side window and/or a rear window of the motor vehicle.

9. The daylight opening surround of claim 1 in combination with at least one light source for illuminating the daylight opening surround.

10. The daylight opening surround of claim 1, comprising a controller configured to control operation of the plurality of point light sources.

11. The daylight opening surround of claim 10, wherein the controller is configured to energize said light source in dependence on the motor vehicle being unlocked, and wherein the controller is configured to de-energize said light source in dependence on a door of the motor vehicle being opened.

12. The daylight opening surround of claim 10, wherein the controller is configured to energize said light source in dependence on detection of an object proximal the motor vehicle.

13. The daylight opening surround of claim 10, wherein the controller is configured to energize said light source to provide an indication of a state of an energy store on the motor vehicle.

14. The daylight opening surround of claim 10, wherein the controller is configured to energize said light source to provide an indication of autonomous operation of the motor vehicle.

15. A vehicle comprising the daylight opening surround of claim 1.