Notification device for vehicle

• US 9,975,475 B1
• Filed: 11/23/2016
• Issued: 05/22/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 11/23/2016
• 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, Dellock, Paul Kenneth, Helwig, Stephen Kenneth
• Primary Examiner(s): Chang, Daniel D
• Application Number:
  US15/359,710
• Publication Number:
  US 20180141488A1
• Time in Patent Office: 545 Days
• Field of Search: 315 77, 315 80, 315 81
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/22 for reverse drive
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/2603 Attenuation of the light according to ambient luminiosity, e.g. for braking or direction indicating lamps
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/2607 comprising at least two indicating lamps
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/302 mounted in the vicinity, e.g. in the middle, of a rear window
• 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 1/507 specific to autonomous vehicles
• 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 2400/20 Multi-color single source or LED matrix, e.g. yellow blinker and red brake lamp generated by single lamp
• CPC Class Codes: B60T 17/22 Devices for monitoring or checking brake systems; Signal devices
• CPC Class Codes: B60T 2201/022 Collision avoidance systems
• CPC Class Codes: B60T 7/12 for automatic initiation; for initiation not subject to will of driver or passenger limiting speed of vehicles other than rail vehicles B60K31/00
• CPC Class Codes: B60T 7/22 initiated by contact of vehicle, e.g. bumper, with an external object, e.g. another vehicle , or by means of contactless obstacle detectors mounted on the vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 15/02 Steering position indicators ; Steering position determination; Steering aids
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 47/11 by determining the brightness or colour temperature of ambient light
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 47/115 by determining the presence or movement of objects or living beings
• CPC Class Codes: Y02B 20/40 Control techniques providing energy savings, e.g. smart controller or presence detection

Abstract

A vehicle lighting device is disclosed. The device comprises a plurality of light sources configured to selectively emit a first light color and a second light color and a controller. The controller is configured to receive a driver assist signal and a brake signal. In response to the brake signal, the controller is configured to activate the first light color constantly. In response to a combination of the brake signal and the driver assist signal, the controller is configured to activate the first light color constantly and the second light color periodically.

Claims

1. A vehicle lighting device comprising:

a plurality of exterior light sources configured to selectively emit a first light color and a second light color; and

a controller configured to receive a driver assist signal indicating an automated vehicle control operation, a brake signal, and configured to;

activate the first light color in response to the brake signal;

activate the first light color constantly and the second light color periodically at a first frequency in response to a combination of the brake signal and the driver assist signal; and

activate the second light color at a second frequency in response to a vehicle failure signal.

2. The lighting device according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of light sources correspond to a first light source and a second light source.

3. The lighting device according to claim 2, wherein the second light source comprises two segments extending along opposing sides of the first light source.

4. The lighting device according to claim 3, wherein a first segment of the second light source extends laterally from a first side of the first light source and a second segment of the second light source extends laterally from a second side of the first light source.

5. The lighting device according to claim 1, wherein the vehicle failure signal comprises a failure signal from a vehicle ignition sensor.

6. The lighting device according to claim 1, wherein the vehicle failure signal is in response to a notification of a rapid tire pressure change from a tire pressure sensor.

7. The lighting device according to claim 1, wherein the driver assist signal is received from a driver assistance system in response to an activation of an automated driver assistance function of the vehicle.

8. The lighting device according to claim 7, wherein the automated driver assistance function comprises an automatic braking operation.

9. The lighting device according to claim 7, wherein the automated driver assistance function comprises an automatic steering operation.

10. A method for controlling an exterior vehicle lighting device comprising:

receiving a driver assist signal indicating an automated vehicle control operation;

receiving a brake signal;

emitting a first light color in response to the brake signal;

emitting the first light color constantly and a second light color periodically at a first frequency in response to a combination of the brake signal and the driver assist signal; and

emitting the first light color at a second frequency and the second light color at a third frequency in response to a vehicle failure signal.

11. The method according to claim 10, wherein the vehicle failure signal indicates at least one of a critical tire pressure change and an engine failure.

12. The method according to claim 10, further comprising detecting a rain signal, a parked gear selection, and a vehicle ignition signal.

13. The method according to claim 12, further comprising emitting the first light color at a fourth frequency and the second light color at a fifth frequency in response to receiving the rain signal, the parked gear selection, and the vehicle ignition signal being active.

14. An exterior vehicle lighting device comprising:

a plurality of light sources configured to selectively emit a first light color and a second light color; and

a controller configured to receive a driver assist signal from an automated driver assistance system indicating an automated vehicle control operation and a brake signal from a brake sensor, the controller configured to;

activate the first light color constantly in response to the brake signal;

activate the first light color constantly and the second light color at a first frequency in response to the brake signal and the driver assist signal; and

activate the first light color at a second frequency and the second light color at a first frequency in response to the driver assist signal without the brake signal.

15. The device according to claim 14, wherein the driver assist signal is received in response to an automated braking or steering function of a driver assistance system of the vehicle.