Vehicle light system

• US 9,849,829 B1
• Filed: 03/02/2017
• Issued: 12/26/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 03/02/2017
• 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., Dellock, Paul Kenneth, Gardner, Cornel Lewis, Musleh, Michael A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Han, Jason M
• Application Number:
  US15/447,927
• Time in Patent Office: 299 Days
• Field of Search: 362487, 362495, 362501, 362509-510, 362540, 362543-545
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/0005 Devices preventing the lights from becoming dirty or damaged, e.g. protection grids or cleaning by air flow windshield wipers for cleaning optical devices of vehicles B60S1/04
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/0023 the element being a sensor, e.g. distance sensor, camera
• 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 1/2696 Mounting of devices using LEDs
• 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: F21S 43/14 Light emitting diodes [LED]
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 43/16 Light sources where the light is generated by photoluminescent material spaced from a primary light generating element
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 43/19 Attachment of light sources or lamp holders
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 43/26 Refractors, transparent cover plates, light guides or filters not provided in groups F21S43/235 - F21S43/255

Abstract

A light system for a vehicle is provided herein. The light system includes first and second light sources. A lens is configured to create a first illumination pattern when the first light source is activated and a second illumination pattern when the second light source is activated. A third light source is configured to create a third illumination pattern that extends vehicle outward of the first and second illumination patterns. A controller is configured to activate the first light source when a front door of the vehicle is opened and activate the second light source when a rear door of the vehicle is opened.

Claims

1. A light system for a vehicle, comprising:

first and second light sources on a doorsill;

a lens configured to create a first illumination pattern when the first light source is activated and a second illumination pattern when the second light source is activated;

a third light source configured to create a third illumination pattern that extends vehicle outward of the first and second illumination patterns;

a controller configured to activate the first light source when a front door of the vehicle is opened and activate the second light source when a rear door of the vehicle is opened; and

a light sensor configured to detect a presence of a compound on an outer surface of the lens.

2. The light system for a vehicle of claim 1, wherein the first illumination pattern extends vehicle rearward of the lens a first distance and the second light source extends vehicle rearward of the lens a second distance that is greater than the first distance.

3. The light system for a vehicle of claim 1, further comprising:

an activation layer disposed on the lens and configured to break down a compound disposed on the lens.

4. The light system for a vehicle of claim 1, wherein the lens is configured from a hydrophobic material.

5. The light system for a vehicle of claim 1, wherein the controller provides a notification when an amount of compound disposed on the lens is greater than a predefined value.

6. The light system for a vehicle of claim 1, further comprising:

a luminescent structure operably coupled with the first and second light sources and configured to luminesce in response to receiving excitation light from the first or second light source.

7. A vehicle light system, comprising:

a light source disposed on a doorsill of a vehicle;

a lens operably coupled with the light source and configured to direct light towards a ground surface proximate an exterior portion of the vehicle; and

a light sensor configured to detect a presence of a compound on an outer surface of said light system by detecting an amount of incident light reflected by the outer surface of the lens.

8. The vehicle light system of claim 7, wherein a controller provides a notification when an amount of compound disposed on said light system is greater than a predefined value.

9. The vehicle light system of claim 7, further comprising:

an activation layer disposed on the lens and configured to break down a compound disposed on said light system upon receiving excitation light from the light source when the amount of compound disposed on said light system is greater than a predefined value.

10. The vehicle light system of claim 9, wherein the lens is formed from a hydrophobic material.

11. The vehicle light system of claim 7, wherein the light source is disposed below a vehicle opening.

12. The vehicle light system of claim 7, further comprising:

a luminescent structure operably coupled with the light source and configured to luminesce in response to receiving excitation light from the light source.

13. The vehicle light system of claim 12, wherein the lens includes a first luminescent material and a second luminescent material, the first and second luminescent materials configured to luminesce in varied wavelengths of converted light.

14. A light system, comprising:

a substrate and a lens, the substrate coupled to a doorsill of a vehicle;

a first light source configured to illuminate a portion of ground proximate a front door;

a second light source configured to illuminate a portion of ground proximate a rear door;

a third light source configured to illuminate a ground surface outwardly of the first and second light sources; and

a light sensor configured to detect a presence of a compound on an outer surface of the lens.

15. The light system of claim 14, wherein the lens includes optics to direct a light generated by any of the first, second, and third light sources into the plurality of varied illumination patterns.

16. The light system of claim 14, wherein the lens is formed from a material containing silicone.

17. The light system of claim 14, further comprising:

a luminescent structure operably coupled with any of the first, second, and third light sources and configured to luminesce in response to receiving excitation light.

18. The light system of claim 16, wherein the luminescent structure includes at least one luminescent material configured to convert an excitation light into a visible light.